MILAN, Italy — The U.S. women’s hockey team is proving it is the team to beat in the Olympic preliminary rounds.

Cruising to its second straight shutout victory — 5-0 — over Switzerland on Monday inside Santagiulia Arena, Team USA is not only undefeated through the first three games of its Group A schedule, but it has dominated opponents and holds an astounding 14-1 scoring advantage.

Canada defeated Czechia by a four-goal margin less than 20 miles away at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena leading into Tuesday’s preliminary-round showdown between the Americans and Canadians.

The sight of Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin limping off the ice in the first period, however, was the biggest news to come out of the women’s hockey tournament Monday.

Sustaining a hit from Kristýna Kaltounková, Poulin labored down the tunnel before returning to Canada’s bench at the end of the period. She did not return for the start of the middle frame.

“I heard about that, it’s a shame,” USA head coach John Wroblewski said after the game. “The interesting thing about looking forward to Canada is that every time we play them, it’s got a different life, a different culture. There’s been different styles of games. Some are heavily penalized. Some are not. Some get off to an unruly start on the scoreboard. Some do not, and they’re tight checking throughout. We’ll see what we get [Tuesday] night.”

Poulin or not, the heavyweight matchup of this round-robin bracket will set the tone.

A presumed preview of the gold medal game — because history says so — Canada and the United States will square off inside Santagiulia Arena and officially begin another chapter in one of the best rivalries in sport.

If you think you know the way this tournament will end, you don’t.

In the 1998 Nagano Games, the Canadians stepped onto the international stage as the undisputed favorites after winning all four IIHF Women’s World Championships held between 1990 and 1997. Team USA defeated Canada 3-1 to go undefeated in the tournament and secure its first Olympic gold in women’s hockey.

Having defeated Canada in eight consecutive pre-Olympic meetings, the Americans carried a 35-game winning streak into the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and were widely considered to be the better team. Team Canada prevailed in a 3-2 victory over the U.S. to capture its first Olympic gold in women’s hockey.

The two nations have battled for the top spot on the podium in all but one Olympic tournament — in 2006, when Sweden upset the U.S. in the semifinals — since women’s hockey became an Olympic sport 28 years ago.

Canada has lost only three games in the Olympics since then.

“I think the second we got off the plane here, we had the confidence of knowing that we’re a great team,” Team USA’s Taylor Heise said. “Regardless of what it takes, we’re here to win. And whatever it’s going to take, every single player on our team is willing to do that. Great confidence in our group and I know every single person in the locker room is willing to sacrifice for their right and left, and that’s what makes a great team. I’m excited to be here, and I’m prouder than ever to be on this team with the girls.”