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MONTREAL – Connor McDavid is a man of few words and, so far, few goals at the World Junior Championship. Asked to assess his play through three games, McDavid only offers up: Been alright. Does that mean he wants to be better? I guess, yeah. McDavid broke his right hand in a fight Nov. 11 and only returned to game action on Dec. 21 so there is a sense he isnt quite back up to top speed. So, how close is McDavid to being at the top of his game? Not sure, he said with a shrug. McDavid has one goal and two assists so far, all against Germany and all on the power play. The top line – Max Domi, Sam Reinhart and Anthony Duclair – has been thriving. Third-line centre Nic Petan leads the tournament in scoring with six points. Third-line winger Robby Fabbri has four points. But the second line headlined by McDavid and captain Curtis Lazar has been somewhat quiet. McDavids three-point total is certainly respectable, but the expectations are sky high for the Newmarket, Ont. native, who has 51 points in 18 OHL games this season with the Erie Otters. For most of the championship, it has been big Anaheim Ducks prospect Nick Ritchie skating on left wing on the line, despite questions about whether he was fast enough to keep up with the 17-year-old phenom. Midway through the win over Finland on Monday, though, head coach Benoit Groulx made a switch, replacing Ritchie with Jake Virtanen. That seemed to spark the group. In fact, the move worked so well that the Canadian bench boss will leave the Canucks 2014 first-round pick (sixth overall) on the line for the New Years Eve showdown against the United States. This is a big opportunity for Virtanen, an 18-year-old from Abbotsford, BC. This is a big step up for me, he readily admits. Those two guys, Curtis and Connor, are high-end guys. Im looking forward to stepping up. WATCH: Jake Virtanen chats with Ryan Rishaug about his new role and facing the Americans on New Years Eve How does Virtanen see himself fitting in? I can try and make space for them out there, he said. I know those two guys can put the puck in the net and make plays. Ill try and make space and be physical out there. But Virtanen isnt just there to create space. Also, I can make plays. I know, personally, I can play with those guys. I cant wait to get going with them. Both McDavid and Lazar mention Virtanens motor when asked about the Calgary Hitmen forward. A big body and he flies out there, said McDavid in one of his longer answers during a media session on Tuesday. Hes a real presence. Im excited to play with him. Hes so powerful, Lazar said. His speed is incredible and hes tenacious on the puck. For our line, it will open up the ice a little more. Lazar, meanwhile, said he and McDavid have good chemistry, but they cant buy a goal right now at even strength. Just running into some hot goaltenders, the Ottawa Senators forward noted with his trademark smile. So maybe, just maybe, Virtanen is the man to provide the spark that lights the McDavid-Lazar powder keg. Hes certainly capable. He had 45 goals in 71 games last season. A shoulder injury required off-season surgery, which led to Virtanen getting off to a slow start this year, but hes turned it on of late with four goals in his last four WHL games, including a highlight-reel beauty in his final game before departing for Team Canadas selection camp. Virtanen kept on scoring at Canadas camp, picking up six points in two scrimmages against university selects in a performance that likely sealed his spot on the roster. Virtanen has a goal and an assist in three games so far in his world junior debut while playing mostly on the fourth line with face-off ace Frederik Gauthier and draft-eligible Lawson Crouse. Its not just speed that Virtanen brings to the top-six forward group. He also brings a bit of an edge. In the third period against Finland, Virtanen went after Alex Lintuniemi, who had elbowed Lazar up high. Just sticking up for my teammate and letting them know were not going to take that lightly, especially with our captain, Virtanen said. Jake and I were bugging Connor, said Lazar, who hails from BC just like Virtanen. He didnt want to get in there. Up to us Western guys to take care of that, I guess. Thats OK, Virtanen said with a grin. We dont need Connor to be a part of that stuff. But they do need him to score and Virtanen hopes he can help with that starting on New Years Eve against the Americans. People are always talking about this game and looking to this game and wondering whats going to happen and its an honour to be a part of this game, said Virtanen. Its going to be fun. Willie Roaf Jersey . 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