Three teams all fight for a game against the US.
The Four Nations Face-Off has shifted back to the States in Boston. At TD Garden this President’s Day, three teams are still battling for a spot in the championship game Thursday night.
Team USA has already clinched its spot in the championship game with two regulation wins against Team Finland and Team Canada. Those two alongside Team Sweden, all even on two points, look to earn a chance for the right to represent their country on the biggest stage looking for some silverware.
Team Canada
Canada had high emotions in Saturday’s game against the US and looked to be in control after scoring first with Connor McDavid. But they would fall on home ice 3-1, and now have to climb out of a hole.
From a Colorado Avalanche perspective, the Canadians were without blue line specialist Cale Makar. But he has not been out due to injury; rather, he is just battling illness. Makar is once again a game-time decision for this afternoon’s game.
Aside from Makar, both Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews had quiet nights against the US. Can they step up their game to earn a rematch with Team USA in the championship game?
Projected Lines
Sidney Crosby (87) – Connor McDavid (97) – Mark Stone (61)
Sam Reinhart (13) – Nathan MacKinnon (29) – Mitch Marner (16)
Brad Marchand (63) – Sam Bennett (9) – Seth Jarvis (24)
Brandon Hagel (38) – Anthony Cirelli (71) – Brayden Point (21)
Devon Toews (5) – Cale Makar (8)
Josh Morrissey (44) – Colton Parayko (55)
Travis Sanheim (6) – Drew Doughty (89)
Jordan Binnington (50)
Adin Hill (33)
Note: Should Cale Makar be unable to go again, expect Thomas Harley to slot in once again.
Team Finland
Artturi Lehkonen and Team Finland saved their tournament with an overtime win over Team Sweden on Saturday afternoon. But Lehkonen didn’t make much of an impact, as he was benched for most of the third period and moved down to the fourth line.
Old friend Mikko Rantanen found the back of the net as he tried to find his old self. Outside of those two, Finland will need more help from its depth to earn an upset bid into the championship.
It’s anyone’s game, and a win all but secures them into the championship game. Can they pull off what would be a mighty upset over the perennial Team Canada?
Projected Lines
Kaapo Kakko (84) – Aleksander Barkov (16) – Mikko Rantanen (96)
Roope Hintz (24) – Sebastian Aho (20) – Mikael Granlund (64)
Eetu Luostarinen (27) – Anton Lundell (15) – Patrik Laine (92)
Artturi Lehkonen (62) – Erik Haula (56) – Joel Armia (40)
Niko Mikkola (77) – Esa Lindell (23)
Olli Maata (3) – Henri Jokiharju (10)
Urho Vaakanainen (18) – Nikolas Matinpalo (33)
Kevin Lankinen (32)
Juuse Saros (74)
Team USA
The US doesn’t have much riding on this game, as they’re already through to the championship game with two regulation wins over Finland and Canada. Moving back South of the border, they should feel more comfortable on home ice.
They’ll also look to stay healthy, as Matthew Tkachuk didn’t play most of the latter half of the game due to injury. Don’t be surprised if he cannot play tonight either to rest up for the bigger game on Thursday.
But depending on the results of the earlier game, the US could manipulate it in their favor to avoid Canada in the final, and end up facing Sweden instead. No matter how the matinee matchup goes, can the US sweep the round-robin with another win over Sweden?
So Team USA had clinched a spot in the final, and top seed. That part’s easy.
Finland/Canada becomes must win for both. Loser goes home. Also easy.
Where it gets interesting: If Canada beats Finland in OT/SO on Monday, Team USA could eliminate them by *losing* to Sweden in regulation.
— Sean McIndoe (@downgoesbrown.bsky.social) 2025-02-16T03:57:38.248Z
Projected Lines
Jake Guentzel (59) – Auston Matthews (34) – Jack Hughes (86)
J.T. Miller (10) – Jack Eichel (9) – Brady Tkachuk (7)
Brock Nelson (29) – Dylan Larkin (21) – Matt Boldy (12)
Chris Kreider (20) – Vincent Trocheck (16) – Kyle Connor (81)
Jaccob Slavin (74) – Brock Faber (14)
Zach Werenski (8) – Charlie McAvoy (73)
Noah Hanifin (15) – Adam Fox (23)
Jake Oettinger (30)
Connor Hellebuyck (37)
Team Sweden
Sweden is the lone team in the tournament that hasn’t won a game yet but is still in the running for the chip. This is due to two overtime losses getting them even on two points with the rest of the teams still in the running.
The Swedes have been the disappointments of the tournament, not playing up to their potential and squandering chances to win games. But they need a win in regulation now more than ever, plus some help in the earlier game going beyond regulation.
They have the talent, they just have to put it all together. Can William Nylander and Mika Zibenejad find some sparks in Boston to help their case?
Projected Lines
William Nylander (88) – Mika Zibenejad (93) – Adrian Kempe (10)
Jesper Bratt (63) – Joel Eriksson Ek (20) – Lucas Raymond (23)
Rickard Rakell (67) – Elias Petersson (40) – Filip Forsberg (9)
Viktor Arvidsson (33) – Elias Lindholm (28) – Gustav Nyquist (12)
Victor Hedman (77) – Jonas Brodin (25)
Mattias Ekholm (14) – Erik Karlsson (65)
Gustav Forsling (42) – Rasmus Dahlin (26)
Linus Ullmark (35)
Filip Gustavsson (32)