They are portraying it in the media pretty heavily leading up to the event. The Americans are strong no one is not saying that but realistically last year if Campbell wasn't as good as he was and if Allen wasn't as poor as he was that game doesn't go to OT
Hell it wouldn't shock me to see Russia win it all this year. But I still think Canada is always going to be the team to beat
Tired and weak argument. For as much as some Canadian fans complain that Allen lost them the game last year, Mike Lee - the starting US Goalie - was as bad if not worse. He gave up 3 goals on 7 seven shots. You could just as realistically counter your Allen argument by saying if Lee made a save, or Campbell started, or Eberle didn't get a lucky bounce on one of his goals, etc. that the Americans would have wrapped it up with ease. And others could come up with their own counters for Team Canada.
The fact is both the USA and Canada were the best teams last tournament. Team USA won the game that mattered. That's all.
The talk of a clear favorite, while it makes for good press, doesn't really mean much in these tournaments except for how each respective team allows it to effect their preparation. USA Junior teams typically haven't fared well when they've been dealt the "favorite" card so hopefully the staff and some of these players learn from that. I'd be comfortable lumping USA, Canada, Russia, and Sweden together as the favorites but anything can happen. Too many variables.