World Cup of Hockey final: 5 things we learned from Canada's Game 1 win

The Canadians edged Team Europe with a 3-1 win in Game 1 of the best-of-three World Cup of Hockey final on Tuesday night in Toronto.

Here are five things to know from the victory:

Canada wasn't pleased despite the win

This was probably the Canadians' worst performance of the World Cup, an error-prone effort with little of the speed, precision or all-out control that defined earlier victories.

Shots were 32-31 for Canada at even-strength, a slight advantage over a vastly inferior opponent. Head coach Mike Babcock said afterward that Europe was the better team for long stretches of the game.

"They looked quicker probably than they were and we looked slower than we probably were," said Babcock.

The Canadians, who have still won 15 straight best-on-best games after Tuesday, just didn't dominate like they had previously.

"I thought we were sloppy with the puck," said Ryan Getzlaf, who set up Steven Stamkos' eventual game-winner. "We didn't execute coming out of our zone the way we're used to playing and we didn't move our feet as much. But a win's a win. I'm not going to knock our team that hard, we found a way to get the [win]. We're going to have to be better though for the next one."

Uneven play was evident early

Tomas Tatar came up with a quality scoring chance for Europe just 20 seconds into the game, Brad Marchand whistled for cross-checking Marian Hossa on the play.

It was often Europe and not Canada, sustaining long stretches in the offensive zone. The Europeans managed 11 of the first 15 shots on goal. Of course it was Canada potting the first two goals, Marchand finishing off a rush with Patrice Bergeron and Stamkos tapping in a pass from Getzlaf.

There was something off all night about the Canadians though. They discussed their uneven performance amongst themselves between periods and after the game, professing to deliver something better when Game 2 gets underway on Thursday night.

Canada can clinch the World Cup title with a win.

"We have to have a little bit more urgency next game and be better," Marchand said.

Price was at his best

Carey Price kept Canada in front during those early stumbles, stopping all 13 shots in the first frame and 32-of-33 on the night.

Price hadn't been tested often like this earlier in the tournament. His team kept the puck so often that high-quality chances against were minimal throughout the first four victories. Babcock thought his toughest action may have come in the third period of a semifinal win against Russia. But the Canadians had raced well in front by that point.

Tuesday night, conversely, was close from start to finish.

Europe made it 2-1 at the seven-minute mark of the second, Tatar depositing a rebound on a Dennis Seidenberg shot that was initially

deflected. Price made his biggest stop nine minutes later, turning aside Andrej Sekera on a short-handed breakaway. He added nine more

stops in a perfect third.

Canada doesn't often require greatness of its goalie, but it did for stretches of Game 1.

Crosby line stayed hot

Babcock thought the line had seen better nights. But the unit of Marchand, Bergeron and Sidney Crosby still produced a pair of goals, both initiated by the Canadian captain.

Crosby started the rush that led to Marchand's game-opening goal in the first, his efforts on Bergeron's marker in the third especially impressive. With defenceman Mark Streit draped on his back behind Europe's net, Crosby went left and then right before whipping a backhand pass to Bergeron in front.

"He's so strong on the puck," Marchand said. "He held off two or three guys and made a great play. I can't say enough good stuff about Sid, he's an incredible player."

Crosby leads the World Cup with nine points. He's followed by Marchand with seven and Bergeron with six.

Europe offered its best

The Europeans surprised all in making the final. Their responsible, disciplined play under former Edmonton Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger was again evident against Canada. They managed to do what no team had done previously at this tournament — keep Canada pinned in its own zone for frequent spells while limiting its chances at the other end.

"I thought they executed and played fast," Babcock said.

Their best, though, ultimately wasn't enough to beat the Canadians.

"It's certainly disappointing right now," said European captain Anze Kopitar, "but at the same time this probably would be our best game so far in this tournament."