Guest Writer: Rob McMahon (@RobMc82) is a lifelong hockey fan, writing for various outlets for 3 years covering the NHL, Florida Panthers and University of Miami Hockey. Follow on Twitter @RobMc82 for more hockey articles.

The Winter Olympics are right around the corner and countries have released their hockey rosters to the public, with many NHLers listed. Could we however witness an upset at these Olympic games and see Canada dethroned as the top team in the World?

We all remember what happened in 2010, when Sidney Crosby scored in overtime to give Canada the gold medal over the United States while in Vancouver. This year the Olympics are hosted in Russia however, and won’t be taking place on an NHL sized rink. This could very well play a role in deciding the outcome, as many European teams and players are accustom to this change. Whether they play on the bigger rink year round, or simply during the summer while home during the NHL off-season. The United States and Canada don’t exactly have this luxury though, unless competing on an international ice surface, which for some is once every four years during the Olympics.

The game slows down on a bigger surface, which some of you may think could be an advantage for players such as Crosby. But what this could do is make his moves more predictable to some, and could reduce his effectiveness on the ice, unlike in 2010. Along with getting accustomed to the bigger rinks, players will also need to work with new linemates, some of which they may never have played with before. While European teams may face the same issue, they seem to gel very quickly and being on a bigger ice surface where they’re more comfortable could play a role in this.

The pucks bounce differently along the boards and could lead to some trouble playing the puck by the defenseman or goaltender in the defensive zone. The same could result in the offensive zone by forwards. A simple dump and chase play, could lead to an odd man rush in the opposite direction, should a forward miscalculate a puck entering the zone. So while the United States and Canada have strong teams that could easily contend for a medal at the Olympic games, don’t be too shocked if they don’t take home the gold.