Cale Makar Determined To Make Return For Team Canada vs. Finland per Elliotte Friedman

With Canada coming off a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to the United States on Saturday night, all focus is now toward Monday's game against Finland. One player who didn't partake in the heated festivities was Canada's Cale Makar -- who was nursing an illness and didn't play on Saturday.

But with a critical game coming up, Makar is trying his best to get to 100% per NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman.

It was also a positive sign to see Makar skating on Sunday ahead of the clash against Finland. Canada's practice was an optional one, as the team had a bit of a delay getting into Boston.

So how exactly can Makar bring Canada success upon his return? Let's break it down.

While it's hard to say just how much Makar would have made a difference in the game, there's no doubt he would have improved Canada's suddenly quiet offense.

Makar has been one of the NHL's best players -- not just defensemen -- over the past few seasons and has shown he could be one of the best offensive blueliners since prime Erik Karlsson.

Over his 372 career games, Makar has 108 goals and 291 assists -- 399 points. It's rare you see a defender with over a point-per-game but Makar is something special. Blessed with elite vision and puck control, he's as much an offensive stud as any of the Canadians up front.

But it shouldn't really be up to a defenseman to run the offense for Canada. Just look at the lineup: Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner, Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart, Brayden Point, Brad Marchand; these players aren't giving Canada the best output.

Sure, it's a short tournament but the immense firepower that Canada possesses cannot just disappear -- and Makar may have had a reason behind that. Makar was Canada's best defender against Sweden, and was a big catalyst at starting offensive chances; something Canada felt lacking in against the States.

It's great news that Makar is on the ice ahead of the Finland game, because if Canada wasn't getting him back for that -- they certainly may have played their final game in the tournament.