Preview: Stupendous Saturday showdowns ahead in Four Nations Face-Off

All four participants take on what should be a frantically fun day of hockey.

The United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden will all play today at the Bell Centre in Montreal in the third game day of the Four Nations Face-Off. This means all four Colorado Avalanche participants will play today in an event-filled day.

All teams are still in the running for a spot in the championship game Thursday at the TD Garden in Boston. But depending on results today, we’ll likely get a clearer idea of who will go for it all with the country on their back.

Team Finland

Team Finland plays in the first game of the day, looking for something to go its way. They were in the heat of the game against the United States on Thursday, before a four-goal third period blew them away in the end.

From an Avalanche perspective, Artturi Lehkonen found life difficult alongside the rest of the Finns. Former Av Mikko Rantanen too was struggling, and the lone goal came from Henri Jokiharju.

But today, they have something to play for. Not only will they play to keep their hopes of making the championship game alive, but to one-up a big rival in Team Sweden. Will they do so this afternoon?

Projected Lines

Artturi Lehkonen (62) – Aleksander Barkov (16) – Mikko Rantanen (96)
Roope Hintz (24) – Sebastian Aho (20) – Mikael Granlund (64)
Eetu Luostarinen (27) – Anton Lundell (15) – Patrik Laine (92)
Tuevo Teravainen (86) – Erik Haula (56) – Kaapo Kakko (84)

Niko Mikkola (77) – Esa Lindell (23)
Olli Maata (3) – Henri Jokiharju (10)
Urho Vaakanainen (18) – Nikolas Matinpalo (33)

Juuse Saros (74)
Kevin Lankinen (32)

Team Sweden

Sweden fought brilliantly against Team Canada in the opener after falling behind early. But their fight ended with a Mitch Marner overtime goal to win it 4-3.

Luckily based on the tournament’s overtime rules, Sweden still got a point and only gave Canada two points for the overtime win. With a one-point advantage over Finland, it may be crucial down the line, but vice versa with Canada having the extra point over them.

Nonetheless, this is a game Team Sweden will surely want to win. Can Sweden make an impact over the “younger brother” in this heated rivalry?

Projected Lines

Rickard Rakell (67) – Mika Zibanejad (93) – William Nylander (88)
Filip Forsberg (9) – Elias Pettersson (40) – Adrian Kempe (10)
Jesper Bratt (63) – Joel Eriksson Ek (20) – Lucas Raymond (23)
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)

Filip Gustavsson (32)
Linus Ullmark (35)

Team USA

The big match-up of the evening involves two of the powerhouses in international hockey. Team USA, rolling with “Free Bird” in its back pocket, put six by Finland in an emphatic win. With the three-point regulation win, they currently lead in the standings.

Both Brady and Matthew Tkachuk wreaked havoc, scoring four goals combined between the two. While Connor Hellebuyck’s one goal given up last game was a shaky one similar to the ones he let in against the Avalanche in the playoffs last season, he will look to rebound this evening.

The US is the rival in foreign lands, conflicting both in and out of hockey. Tensions are sure to be high, making this game palpable for all. Can the red, white, and blue all but earn its place in the championship game with a win tonight?

Projected Lines

Brady Tkachuk (7) – Jack Eichel (9) – Matthew Tkachuk (19)
Jake Guentzel (59) – Auston Matthews (34) – Jack Hughes (86)
Matt Boldy (12) – J.T. Miller (10) – Dylan Larkin (21)
Kyle Connor (81) – Vincent Trocheck (16) – Brock Nelson (29)

Zach Werenski (8) – Charlie McAvoy (25)
Jaccob Slavin (74) – Brock Faber (14)
Noah Hanifin (15) – Adam Fox (23)

Connor Hellebuyck (37)
Jake Oettinger (30)

Team Canada

The favorites and the hosts of the Four Nations Face-Off surged to a brilliant start against Sweden, before nearly blowing it. But they have Mitch Marner to thank, who scored the game-winning goal in overtime to grab the extra point.

The three Avalanche participants found life enjoyable last game, particularly Nathan MacKinnon. He opened up the scoring in the tournament thanks to a beautiful passing play between Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Cale Makar. MacKinnon was almost the overtime hero several times, shooting the puck five times alone in the extra period.

Meanwhile, Devon Toews did his thing on the blue line playing 25 minutes alongside Makar. Will the three Avs connect to lead Canada to another win in a hotly-contested and classic matchup with their neighbors to the South?

Projected Lines

Sam Reinhart (13) – Connor McDavid (97) – Mitch Marner (16)
Sidney Crosby (87) – Nathan MacKinnon (29) – Mark Stone (61)
Brandon Hagel (38) – Anthony Cirelli (71) – Brayden Point (21)
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)

NOTE: Cale Makar missed practice yesterday after feeling ill. He is currently listed as a game-time decision. Without Shea Theodore for the rest of the tournament due to injury, should Makar be unable to play, Canada would have a huge loss on the blue line. Thomas Harley recently called up from the Dallas Stars would slot in his place.