This time, it’s for pride and for country to win a trophy.
If one wasn’t enough, get ready for the second act.
Team USA and Team Canada have fulfilled the prophecy everybody hoped for when the Four Nations Face-Off was announced by playing in tonight’s final. After playing a heavily intensified first matchup on Saturday night, 60 minutes is all that’s separating a trophy for their country for either side,
The US won Saturday night’s game 3-1, filled with the dramatics of the booing of the National Anthem, and three fights within the first nine seconds. Canada, now the visitors down in Boston, will look to get redemption and win the biggest game of the tournament.
Team USA
The US had already clinched its spot in the championship game with its win over their neighbors to the North on Saturday. Hence, Monday’s game against Sweden meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. But they did fall 2-1 that evening.
They needed all the rest and bodies they could get. The red, white, and blue were without Matthew Tkachuk, Charlie McAvoy, and Auston Matthews due to injuries and illness respectively. Plus, Brady Tkachuk left the game injured himself after crashing into the net.
Three of the four are expected to be back for tonight’s pivotal game, with McAvoy administered to a Boston hospital with an infection. Brett Pesce from the New Jersey Devils was called up in relief after confusion trying to call up Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes.
Neither Hughes nor Pesce is expected to play unless another US defender is ruled out of this game. But with both Tkachuk brothers and Matthews returning, can the United States play “Free Bird” long into the night with a win?
Projected Lines
Jake Guentzel (59) – Auston Matthews (34) – Jack Hughes (86)
Brady Tkachuk (7) – Jack Eichel (9) – Matthew Tkachuk (19)
J.T. Miller (10) – Dylan Larkin (21) – Matt Boldy (12)
Chris Kreider (20) – Vincent Trocheck (16) – Brock Nelson (29)
Jaccob Slavin (74) – Brock Faber (14)
Zach Werenski (8) – Jake Sanderson (85)
Noah Hanifin (15) – Adam Fox (23)
Connor Hellebuyck (37)
Jake Oettinger (30)
Team Canada
Canada was in a win-and-in situation against Team Finland on Monday afternoon to make it to the championship after the loss to the US. They were comfortably up 4-0 and nearly blew it in the final few minutes, but managed to hold on for the 5-3 win.
The Colorado Avalanche and its participants are well-suited and well-known with Team Canada. Nathan MacKinnon has continued to fly under everyone’s radar on a team with Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. Plus, the blue line pairing of Cale Makar and Devon Toews has been just as good with a maple leaf on a jersey as it has been with the Avalanche ‘A’ on it.
Crucially against the US on Saturday, Makar was absent from the team sheet due to illness. With Canada’s No. 8 seemingly good to go, he might just make the difference in tonight’s matchup. With lots at stake on the ice thanks to a supercharge of influence both on and off the ice, can Canada conquer all to win the big prize?
Projected Lines
Brayden Point (21) – Connor McDavid (97) – Mark Stone (61)
Sidney Crosby (87) – Nathan MacKinnon (29) – Sam Reinhart (13)
Brandon Hagel (38) – Anthony Cirelli (71) – Mitch Marner (16)
Brad Marchand (63) – Sam Bennett (9) – Seth Jarvis (24)
Devon Toews (5) – Cale Makar (8)
Josh Morrissey (44) – Colton Parayko (55)
Travis Sanheim (6) – Drew Doughty (89)
Jordan Binnington (50)
Adin Hill (33)