4 Nations Face-Off Live Blog: United States vs. Canada
Sights, sounds, highlights from Bell Centre in Montreal
© Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
MONTREAL — Welcome to the 4 Nations Face-Off. The United States and Canada will play the second half of the Saturday doubleheader at Bell Centre after Finland defeated Sweden 4-3 in overtime this afternoon. NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price is high atop the arena to provide all the sights, sounds and highlights from the game.
10:40 p.m. ET
Jordan Binnington kept the U.S. from expanding its lead when he robbed Matt Boldy on the doorstep with 11:44 left.
it was the first U.S. threat in quite some time.
THey just showed P.K. Subban and Mark Messier on the big board and of course the fans here in Canada loved it. SO if you are keeping score, P.K. good, “Stranger Things” kid bad.
The “Let’s Go Canada” have started again, but there is more of desperate tone to them. Canada’s Sam Bennett just tried to get his team doing with a big hit on Jaccob Slavin, and the crowd is fired up.
10:35 p.m. ET
We are under 13 minutes left and Canada is desperately looking for the equalizer, trailing 2-1.
Remember, if the US wins in regulation, it clinches a spot in the final game, and the Canada would need to beat Finland in regulation on Monday to likley get there.
But we still have lots of time left, so nothing is decided.
10:27 p.m. ET
We have about 16 minutes left and it’s still 2-1 U.S.
The hitting has picked up again, but this time it’s Canada’s Thomas Harley laying out Jack Hughes with a clean hit.
Canada is trying to get the tying goal, but it’s mostly shots from the outside, nothing from high-danger areas. Give credit the U.S. defensemen, who are keeping the talented Canadians at bay.
Canada is outshooting the U.S. 20-18, but it’s 2-1 on the scoreboard and you tell this Canada crowd is getting a big antsy.
10:20 p.m. ET
And here we go. 20 minutes left in this epic U.S.-Canada game.
The big talking points up in the press box to this point – besides the fights – are what has gotten into Charlie McAvoy.
He has laid a few hits on Connor McDavid and is really personifying what the U.S. effort is about tonight.
We are in for a big finish here.
10:05 p.m. ET
We are through two periods and the U.S. leads 2-1.
The crowd is trying to get Canada going, but the U.S. has done a goob of keeping the Canada offense to the outside.
The U.S. is playing tough – J.T. Miller just blocked a shot and the whole U.S. bench hit their sticks against the boards in approval.
Will be interesting to see if Canada tries to open it up a little bit more the get thie game tied.
Right now Dyla Larkin has the go-ahead goal. How about this nugget from NHLstats?
Larkin’s only other point at an NHL International Tournament was an assist on Johnny Gaudreau’s game-winning goal for Team Northa America vs. Finland at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. USA is presenting a Gaudreau jersey to its team-selected player of the game at 4 Nations Face-Off.
9:54 p.m. ET
Fly, Free Bird, Fly.
Dylan Larkin has given the U.S. a 2-1 lead with an absolute perfect wrist shot over the pads of Jordan Binnington at 13:33.
He came in on a 2-on-1 with J.T. Miller, but instead of passing it, fired it past Larkin and suddenly there is an air of concern in the building.
Not only is the U.S. going toe-to-toe with Canada, but Connor Hellebuyck is looking like Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck.
Now, can the U.S. hold the lead or even build on it in the final 5:43 of the second period?
9:46 p.m. ET
The “Let’s Go Canada” chants have picked up as the crowd is trying to get its boys going. After a rip-roaring first period, things have certainly settled down here so far in the second.
I mean, it’s hard to keep up that pace for an entire game, right?
Speaking of pace, Roarke is now up to nine hot dogs and Gulitti – by my count – is at seven. I had one more but only because I wanted Stubbs to see me smother it with Heinz ketchup before I ate it.
9:36 p.m. ET
Dylan Larkin just had a shot to give the US the lead, but he hit the post on the doorstep and we are still tied.
The fans are really into this game. It seems like the booing of the players has stopped and now they are into the game.
And why not? It’s been an absolute classic.
They did just boo the kid from “Stranger Things.”
9:25 p.m. ET
We are back for the second period, and if the next 40 minutes are like the first 20, whoa boy.
I look back now, even just a few weeks ago, to the people who wondered if this would be just a glorified All-Star Game. Well, what do you have to say now?
These players are putting it all on the line for their country and it’s been amazing.
And we are really only halfway through. We have three more games to play in Boston after this one, and who knows, we could get another U.S.-Canada game in the final.
9:09 p.m. ET
The first period is over and what a period it was.
Three fights in the first nine seconds, a highlight-reel goal from Connor McDavid, a few punishing hits on McDavid from Charlie McAvoy, 15 shots on goal and one goal from each side.
They are heading to the rooms and the media are charging to get on the hot dog line.
9:01 p.m. ET
The U.S. went on the power play with Sidney Crosby going off for hooking.
This came a few seconds after Charlie McAvoy laid another huge hit on Connor McDavid. Man, he is fired up tonight.
As the power play started, the DJ played “The Enemy” by Green Day. Everyone is getting into the act here.
The U.S. had a golden chance when Jake Guentzel got a rebound in front, but Binnington made perhaps his biggest save of the tournament.
A few seconds later Auston Matthews appeared to have an open net but missed wide.
Brady Tkachuk just welcomed Drew Doughty to the party with a big hit behind the boards.
The U.S certainly came to play tonight, but it just took a penalty and now Canada is back on the power play with 3:13 left.
8:51 p.m. ET
NHL.com blogger Jake Guentzel has just tied things up, beatting Jordan Binnington from a sharp angle.
The goal came about a minute after Charlie McAvoy absolutely crushed Connor McDavid against the boards in the offensive zone. McAvoy is hitting everything and anything that moves and if you’re keeping score has a big hit on Sidney Crosby and McDavid.
This place is abssolutey nuts.
8:47 p.m. ET
There is an absolute buzz in this place during the first shovel timeout.
Right after the timeout, Dylan Larkin bumped Jordan Binnington in the crease, but no whistle. The refs have done a good job getting this game under control after the fight-filled start.
I think the penalty to J.T. Miller sent a message to everyone to cut it out and play hockey.
That’s not to say these guys aren’t hitting, but maybe the fisticuffs will stop. We’ll see.
8:38 p.,m. ET
Connor McDavid has made the keynote address, scoring on a gorgeous move at 5:31, beating Hellebuyck with an eye-popping backhand after getting past Zach Werenski and Charlie McAvoy.
The assists for the goal go to Drew Doughty and goalile Jordan Binnington. That’s some combo.
Things have calmed down here a bit. We haven’t had a fight in about five minutes.
But they are still hitting each other and now the Tkachuks have been sprung from the box, so stay tuned.
They were booed on their way to the U.S. bench.
The crowd of course is loving this, cheering every hit, shot, save, whistle.
8:33 p.m. ET
The result of all the fights is a Canada power play with J.T. Miller getting an extra two minutes.
Charlie McAvoy even got into the act on the penalty kill, drlling both Sidney Crosby and Sam Reinhart.
These boys are ornery tonight.
The U.S. killed the penalty by the way.
8:30 p.m.ET
We’ve played nine seconds and we’ve had three rights, the last one featuring J.T. Miller of the U.S. and Colton Parayko of Canada.
The penalty boxes are almost full and we are not even 10 seconds in.
8:27 p.m. ET
OMG, the roof is about to blow off this place.
As soon the opening face-off took place, Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel dropped the gloves and had a good old slugfest.
Just an insane start to this one.
And now Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett are fighting. That’s two Tkachuks off the ice just three seconds into the game.
We are two seconds in an it’s an instant classic.
8:24 p.m. ET
Finally, the waiting is over. The U.S. and Canada have dropped the puck to start the second game of this historic day in Montreal.
As expected, the fans here in Montreal didn’t exactly sing along with the U.S. anthem and I’ll leave it at that.
Heck, they even booed Olympic skater Michele Kwan, who introduced the U.S. team.
Then it got even crazier in here when UFC fighter Georges St-Pierre introduced the Canada team.
Of course, they all sang the Canadian anthem as loud as possible.
Then the fans starting cheering, “CANADA, CANADA” as loud as possible.
What unfolds over the next three periods (maybe more) will be remembered for ages in each country.
I know one thing I won’t forget is the stairs here in Bell Centre. The way the press box is set up, you need to climb a big flight of stairs to get out of the press box and then go down another flight of stairs to get to the media meal area.
So when you want to go back to the press box, it’s up the stairs and down the stairs again.
I think the fans of both countries have finally found a common bond: Kiss.
After warmups, the DJ played “I Was Made for Loving You” by Kiss, and at one point he turned the music off and the whole crowd sang the chorus. I think NHL.com editor Brian Compton may be here.
8:10 p.m. ET
Here are the starting lineups for tonight
for the U.S.
Brady Tkachuk — Jack Eichel — Matthew Tkachuk at forward
Charlie McAvoy — Zach Werenski on D
Hellebuyck between the pipes
Once again, Chris Kreider and Jake Sanderson are scartched.
For Canada
Brayden Point – Brandon Hagel — Anthony Cirelli (all Lightning players) at forward
Colton Parayko and Josh Morrissey on defense
Jordan Binnington in goal
Travis Konecny is scratched and Cale Makar is out with an injury.
7:58 p.m. ET
Like the other night when Canada played Sweden, all fans have some sort of red light in their seats, so expect to see plenty of red tonight. I mean, there is already plenty of red with a huge amount of Canada jerseys in the crowd, but now it will be ever redder, or more red.
Warmups are over, the players are back in the room making their final preparations and we are about 20 minutes from one of the most anticipated hockey games in recent memory.
The last two players to leave the ice were Auston Matthews for the U.S. and Brad Marchand for Canada. Two guys who are not exactly fan favorites in Montreal during the regular NHL season, but they love Marchand now.
Matthews, well …
I just looked up and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being interviewed on TVA Sports wearing a Canada jersey. Again, I’ll reserve comment.
7:50 p.m. ET
The fans have come ready to boo the U.S. players and they are also armed with signs.
One fan has a sign that says the U.S. is Tariffied. No comment.
It’s likely that Chris Kreider and Jake Sanderson will be the scratches for the U.S. tonight, but it’s hard to tell because they are both on the ice for warmups. Coach Mike Sullivan did the same thing on Thursday, having all 20 skaters on the ice.
Hey, guess what, the fans are booing Auston Matthews, who is up the big screen.
They then let out a huge cheer when a photo of Sidney Crosby appeared and now they are chanting “Crosby, Crosby, Crosby.”
Now “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers is playing over the sound system. Nothing like a nice, catchy depressing song to get you ready for hockey.
7:42 p.m. ET
Warmups have begun and so have the boo birds.
In fact, the crowd starting booing as soon as the U.S. players started coming out the locker room. Heck, they’re even booing fans in the crowd wearing U.S. gear.
The video board guy is doing a great job getting the fans riled up, first showing U.S. players and then Canada players.
Anyway, this place is already nuts and we are still about 40 minutes from puck drop.
Though it appears as if a lot of fans are still somewhere outside “preparing” for the game, the folks already in their seats let the U.S. players know how the fans here in Canada feel about them.
Auston Matthews is doubly despised up here – he’s American and plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Thomas Harley story is really a fascinating one. He was born in Syracuse, New York, but has dual citizenship, so he plays for Canada. He hasn’t yet skated with his Canadian teammates and may only play in this one game if Cale Makar can go Monday.
Hard to imagine what he’s feeling right now.
7:40 p.m.
The DJ has thrown down the gauntlet early, playing “Tom Sawyer” by Rush. If we get through the night without hearing Nickelback or the Tragically Hip, it will be a win for the U.S. no matter the score. Rush I can deal with. Maybe we’ll get some Anne Murray next.
Speaking of overplayed songs, I’ve heard the “Good Ol’ Hockey Game” song about five times in the past four days. I’ve had enough.
Anyway.
Talk about dedication.
Me and Dan Rosen went to the Starbucks across the street from Bell Centre and we met a guy who took a 13-hour bus ride from Maryland to watch the U.S.-Canada game tonight and then he’s hopping back on another 13-hour bus ride tonight.
And get this, he was wearing a Finland jersey, but he’s from Sweden. His name was Michael and he’s a huge Sidney Crosby fan and Penguins fan.
Incredible.
In fact, Dan Rosen was quite the celebrity in Starbucks. Some other guy recognized him from “a podcast” but had no idea who his co-host Shawn Roarke was. Shawn was not happy.
7:20 p.m.
We have major news here tonight: Cale Makar will not play for Canada because of an illness.
That’s big blow for Canada, which is already without Shea Theodore, who got hurt in the opener. That means Thomas Harley will play for Canada. Harley was actually born in the United States, but he is a dual citizen, so he plays for the maple leaf tonight.
Just a reminder of what’s at stake tonight. If the U.S. wins in regulation, it clinches a spot in the 4 Nations championship game on Thursday.
If the U.S doesn’t win in regulation, then all four teams head to Boston with a chance to reach the final or be eliminated on Monday when Canada plays Finland and the U.S. plays Sweden.
I would hope Makar is better by then to play for Canada. Knowing how tough these guys are, he must be really, really sick. Hope he feels better.
7:15 p.m. ET
We are about an hour from the start of what promises to be an epic game here in Montreal. Canada has ruled international hockey pretty much since after the 1996 World Cup, which the U.S. won. But the U.S. thinks this year will be different, with perhaps the most talented roster in America’s history. But Canada believes it still rules the roost and is out to prove it.
On any other night and any other venue this would be an epic battle, but we are in Montreal where the fans booed the U.S. players during their game against Finland on Thursday, especially Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
So expect plenty of vitriol tonight, and you know what, the U.S. players thrive on it.
And this game is huge for the 4 Nations standings as well. If the U.S. can win in regulation tonight, it will advance to the 4 Nations final Thursday in Boston. In fact, the U.S. is the only team that can advance tonight, meaning all four teams will arrive in Boston with something to play for.
All eyes are on Cale Makar and if he will play tonight. He missed practice yesterday due to an illness and is a game-time decision tonight. If I were a betting man, I’d say he’s playing, but we shall see.
I’ll be back during warmups.
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Canada’s Cale Makar out vs. Team USA in 4 Nations Face-Off
BROSSARD, Quebec — Team Canada defenseman Cale Makar did not play vs. the United States on Saturday night at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Canada’s top defenseman, who was labeled a game-time decision earlier in the day, is battling an illness that held him out of Friday’s practice. Makar was back on the ice for Saturday’s morning skate, and coach Jon Cooper said after the workout that they would make a final decision on Makar’s status later in the day.
“I’m not going to confirm [Makar is in],” Cooper said at the time, adding that “trust me, this won’t be a decision where we ever put him in harm’s way. So if he’s in the lineup, he’s good to go.”
Instead, Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley, who arrived in Montreal and has not practiced with team, skate in Team Canada’s second game at the Bell Centre. Harley, 23, has nine goals and 29 points in the NHL this season.
The Canadian blue line was already depleted when Shea Theodore suffered an upper-body injury in the tournament opener against Sweden on Wednesday. Makar took on an even larger role in that game after Theodore exited in the second period; Makar finished the game with a team-high 28:06 time on ice.
The Theodore injury gave Canada just six healthy defensemen, and with Makar under the weather as well, the NHL and NHLPA agreed Friday that Canada could bring Harley to Montreal on standby.
Harley would have been allowed to skate Saturday morning only if Makar was absent. Instead, Harley watched the session from a hallway, and when Makar went off the ice, Harley joined the rest of Canada’s group and received a loud round of cheers from his fellow players.
Cooper confirmed that Canada would go back to Jordan Binnington in net against the U.S. Cooper said Friday that he would speak with Canada’s goalies — including Binnington, Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault — before making a final call.
Binnington recorded 23 saves and an .885 save percentage while backstopping Canada to a 4-3 overtime win against Sweden. Cooper saw enough to give Binnington another shot on Saturday.
“He gave us a chance to win; watch the overtime,” Cooper said of Binnington’s four-save effort in the extra frame. “That said it all for me. At the biggest moment of the game, the kid came up huge for us. He deserves it.”
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4 Nations Face-Off live updates: Score, highlights for USA vs. Canada
One of hockey’s great rivalries adds another chapter as the United States faces Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off Saturday night.
Both teams head into the second of three round-robin games following wins. On Wednesday, Canada survived a third-period stumble to beat Sweden 4-3 in overtime. Sparked by a three-assist performance from Sidney Crosby, Canada saw a two-goal lead disappear but recovered to win the tournament’s opening game before a sold-out Bell Centre.
Things were a little more straightforward for the U.S., which routed Finland 6-1. Matthew Tkachuk led the way with a two goal/one assist showing, while his brother Brady Tkachuk added two goals. Throw in three assists from Zach Werenski, and the United States started off this tournament — a substitute for the NHL All-Star Game — with a resounding statement.
With a fervently pro-Canada crowd expected in Montréal for this one, expect fireworks. Here’s what to know ahead of USA vs. Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off:
Team USA has adjusted their lines without Matthew Tkachuk, with J.T. Miller now sharing a line with Brady Tkachuk and Jack Eichel. ABC’s Ray Ferraro has reported that he told the coaching staff “I can’t go.”
As we move into the final eight-plus minutes of regulation, Tkachuk has not come back into the game since communicating the issue to the bench.
With 13:16 to go, the third period has largely gone Canada’s way. They’re getting the jump on Team USA, particularly in the neutral zone, and their forecheck is forcing the U.S. to just clear and regroup on most occasions.
The U.S. did have one great look on the break, but an errant pass foiled Guentzel. As of now, Larkin’s goal was the last shot on net.
Meanwhile, a conversation on the U.S. bench seems to hint at an injury for Matthew Tkachuk. After an exchange with Team USA assistant coach John Tortorella, Tkachuk moved to the end of the bench and is looking on fairly grimly. It’s not clear what might be impacting him, but he hasn’t come back out since the conversation.
We have 20 minutes of regulation left between USA and Canada at Bell Centre.
A regulation win here would guarantee Team USA a place in Thursday’s 4 Nations Face-Off final, while a Canadian comeback could see the tournament hosts end the night atop the round-robin standings.
We’re through two periods, and the United States grabbed a 2-1 lead through Dylan Larkin’s goal.
With the brawling and squabbling of the opening minutes, this game could have become a running series of heavy hits and penalties, but it’s really gone in the opposite direction. The second period saw both teams focus on controlling zones and trying to get the puck into more promising positions. We could have gotten a game full of animosity and low on actual hockey, but all parties seem focused on trying to win the game.
Team USA probably deserves to have a lead at this point, as they’ve exerted slightly more control over the game and created more shooting chances. However, when Canada has gotten the puck in deep for sustained pressure, they seem to be able to work it into dangerous positions. The U.S. has done enough to escape those moments, but it’s clear that Canada could easily tie this one up.
With this second period playing out evenly, Team USA has taken a 2-1 lead seemingly out of the blue thanks to Dylan Larkin.
In truth, there’s opportunism involved: Canada turned the puck over just as they started a line change, with Matt Boldy guiding his interception towards Larkin. Suddenly, the U.S. had a two-on-one, and Larkin used the extra man to freeze Travis Sanheim (who had hopped over the boards just three seconds earlier) before zipping a wrist shot into the bottom corner.
With 6:27 to go in the second, Team USA has the lead.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin just made a huge play to deny Canada the lead. Five minutes into the second period, McDavid caught Team USA’s Adam Fox, bringing the defenseman down without giving away a penalty.
Suddenly Canada had a three-on-one, but Hanifin used sharp positioning to prevent a McDavid shot, then intercepted a pass attempt that would have left Sam Reinhart with a wide-open shot from close range.
Play moved to the other end of the rink, where Dylan Larkin’s shot clanked off the post and bounced away. Binnington may or may not have gotten a touch on the shot, but either way Team USA was about two inches from taking the lead.
In an interview with ABC during the intermission, Brady Tkachuk — a participant in the second of those three fights in this game’s opening nine seconds — said that there wasn’t a ton of planning involved.
“I think it just happened pretty organically,” the Ottawa Senators forward told ABC’s Emily Kaplan. “Matthew [Tkachuk] said he wanted to go first, and yeah, it just happened.”
Tkachuk added that his brother decided to approach Brandon Hagel when he saw the starting lineups. As for his fight? Just a matter of setting up an appointment, more or less. “I coordinated with Benny [Canada’s Sam Bennett],” explained Tkachuk.
Canada seemed to spend that entire power play on the cusp of a goal, but some sharp stops from Hellebuyck to deny Brayden Point twice (once from an angle, and once on the doorstep) keep this game 1-1.
Still, it feels like Canada recovered some momentum with the execution on that 5-on-4 sequence, with their first shots in over 10 minutes. Team USA will still feel like they’ve had the better of this game thus far, but Team Canada’s pushback late underlines how tight things have been in this first period.
Sidney Crosby took a seat for two minutes after getting called for a hooking penalty, but despite three really good looks in front, Team USA will start off 0-for-1 on the power play after going scoreless.
Meanwhile, the big hits are flying, with both teams laying into one another. With 3:13 left in the period, it’ll be Canada back on the power play as Guentzel is caught tripping Josh Morrissey. Big moment for Canada to swing the momentum, as the United States has been having the better of the last few minutes.
Jake Guentzel has this game level, and it’s one that Canada goalie Jordan Binnington might want back. Jack Eichel found Guentzel on the left, but the Tampa Bay Lightning left winger wasn’t exactly bringing the thunder with a low-angle wrist shot.
However, Guentzel did enough to slip that effort under Binnington’s pads, and at 10:15 in the first period the scores are even at 1-1.
Canada strikes first, with Connor McDavid showcasing his speed and stickhandling at 5:31 in the first period.
Drew Doughty scooped a pass towards center ice that met McDavid in stride, and the Edmonton Oilers center did the rest. At full speed, he cut through three Team USA before firing over Hellebuyck’s left shoulder to make it 1-0. It’ll be hard to produce a more clinical goal than that.
There’s a lot going on here, but amid the scuffling that turned into the third fight, Canada went on the power play.
Team USA kills it off pretty easily though, with a couple of timely interventions in front of goalie Connor Hellebuyck all that was really required.
At the puck drop, we have USA’s Matthew Tkachuk and Canada’s Brandon Hagel agreeing to drop the gloves and fight. No clean hits but a long scuffle ends with both players getting offsetting fighting penalties.
And now it’s Brady Tkachuk fighting Sam Bennett on the ensuing faceoff! ABC reports that Brady Tkachuk was calling Bennett out to set the fight up while the first fight was being sorted.
Team USA throws one on net once play resumes, but we’re now seeing a third fight. This time, it’s J.T. Miller for the U.S. and Canada’s Colton Parayko squaring off.
We are, to be clear, nine seconds into the first period. Here’s the full round-up of fights:
As was the case in the first round of games, a chunk of the crowd at Bell Centre booed the U.S. national anthem, particularly as it started and ended. Given the geopolitical realities at play following the election of Donald Trump, it’s not exactly a stunning development.
Following a rendition of “O Canada” that was partially sung by the crowd, fans break out into chants for Team Canada and captain Sidney Crosby.
Both teams have an accomplished athlete introduce them to the crowd at Bell Centre. Michelle Kwan took the ice and — presumably due to her Team USA hockey sweater and not any animus towards her personally — was roundly booed while introducing Team USA.
MMA great Georges St-Pierre was received with more warmth by the crowd as he brought Canada out. Fans are wearing light-up necklaces, adding to the wild atmosphere in Montréal.
Big news right as ABC’s broadcast of Saturday’s 4 Nations Face-Off meeting gets going: Canada defenseman Cale Makar, arguably one of the NHL’s best D-liners, has been ruled out of this game due to illness.
Emergency call-up Thomas Harley, who per ABC has not had time to get a practice session in with Canada, is in the lineup instead.
The 4 Nations Face-Off pitting USA against Canada starts at 8 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC and ESPN+.
All times Eastern.
The game will be carried on ABC as well as ESPN+. You can also watch on Sling.
(Times p.m. ET)
No., position, player, NHL team
No., position, player, NHL team
Team USA is the favorite to beat Team Canada, according to the latest odds from BetMGM.
Kevin Erickson writes, “The American power play was impressive, and the Tkachuk Brothers were red-hot. Expect Team USA to feed off of the energy, as the pro-Canada crowd creates a very hostile environment.”
Ethan Sears gives Team Canada the edge over the Americans among forwards and special teams and concludes, “Canada’s top-end talent and the home crowd give them a tightly fought win.”
Todd Cordell writes, “It’s probably unrealistic for Canada to hold this USA team to fewer than three goals. They will need to score to keep up and, with McDavid, Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby leading the charge, there’s plenty of reason to believe they can do just that; even against Connor Hellebuyck.
“This should be a high-pace, high-event game featuring a level of elite talent we haven’t seen share the same ice in a long, long, time.”
The USA beat Canada at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey in a major moment for the U.S. hockey program. But Canada won when the two met in the gold medal games at the 2002 and 2010 Olympics. Canada also beat the USA in the Olympic semifinals in 2014 on the way to a second consecutive gold medal. — Mike Brehm
Canada defenseman Travis Sanheim, a scratch in the opening game, is scheduled to make his debut at the tournament because of an injury to Shea Theodore. The Vegas Golden Knights defenseman was injured on Wednesday when checked in the boards by Sweden’s Adrian Kempe. He has been ruled out of the tournament and is week-to-week. — Mike Brehm
Canada defenseman Cale Makar (illness) is a game-time decision, per NHL.com. If he can’t go, Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley, an emergency addition to the roster, could suit up. — Mike Brehm
The World Cup of Hockey will return in February 2028, and the NHL and players association envision a continuing cycle of alternating Olympics and World Cups every two years.
Details are still to be worked out, but NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday it would involve “at least” eight countries. Cities, including those in Europe, can start bidding in the coming months. Bettman said he didn’t foresee any melded teams, as happened in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey with smaller European countries forming one team and the North American 23-and-under “Young Guns” forming another.
It’s up in the air whether Russian players can take part because of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The International Ice Hockey Federation recently voted to ban Russian players from its championships for another year, through the 2025-26 season. — Mike Brehm
Each country will play one game against the other three nations during the round robin. Teams get three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime/shootout win and one point for an overtime/shootout loss. The two teams with the best records play each other in the championship game.
A tie in the standings between two teams will be decided by the head-to-head result between those tied teams.
Games will be played under NHL rules, except that overtime involves 10 minutes of 3-on-3 sudden death during the round robin rather than the NHL’s five minutes. If it’s still tied after 10 minutes, the game goes to a shootout. During the championship game, overtime is like NHL playoff overtime: 5-on-5 hockey for 20-minute periods until a goal is scored. — Mike Brehm
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