Canadian women's hockey team relies on depth rather than Poulin heroics in rout of Swiss

Over the past dozen years, Marie-Philip Poulin's goal-scoring heroics have proven crucial to Canada's most important women's hockey victories.

With Poulin held to one assist in her team's 12-1 opening win over Switzerland, the Canadians proved something equally valuable: they have the depth to overwhelm opponents without relying on their captain to carry the load.

Twelve different players registerd points for Canada, including six Olympic rookies. In fact, save for an assist on Sarah Fillier's second goal, which Poulin helped set up just before finishing her shift, the top line was the only one kept off the score sheet.

"There's no doubt that that line will be contributing offensively," three-time Olympian Vicky Sunohara told CBC Sports. "I think it's a great thing, and it can relieve pressure. They're not going to be expected to be the ones that have to score all the time."

WATCH | Sarah Fillier pots pair vs. Switzerland:

Despite their limited showing in the box score, the trio of Poulin, Brianne Jenner, and Emily Clark spent more time on ice than any other Canadian forwards and generated plenty of quality chances. Sunohara, who serves as head coach at the University of Toronto, considers that getting goals from throughout the line-up will be a boon.

"When you see all of your teammates contributing, it's pretty comforting knowing that the goal scoring and the offensive production could come from any line, any defensive pairing," she explained.

After a month and a half without any games, Canada's rookies didn't take long to make their mark on the biggest stage. Fillier opened the scoring 64 seconds in, and doubled up less than seven minutes later.

Defenders Ashton Bell, Claire Thompson, and Erin Ambrose also got in on