4 Nations Face-Off Live Blog: Canada vs. United States
Sights, sounds, highlights from TD Garden in Boston
© Brian Babineau/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images
Welcome to the final game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. The United States and Canada are playing each other for the second time in six days, with the U.S. winning 3-1 on Saturday in Montreal. NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price was in Boston to provide all the sights, sounds, highlights for what is going to be a historic night for hockey.
11:27 p.m. ET
And we have a winner.
Connor McDavid scores for Canada with 11:42 left in overtime and it’s pandemonium here in Boston.
Despite Canada being THE hockey country, it’s massive win since their claim as the best hockey playing nation in the world was certainly up for grabs here.
Canada will hold that title for at least another year and then it will be up for grabs next February in Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
What a game, what a tournament, what a great two weeks for hockey.
Now, we go back to the regular season and the sprint to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Thanks again for follwing this blog and ready NHL.com throughout the tournament.
It was a blast.
Be sure to read all about it on NHL.com later tonight and tomorrow morning.
CAN@USA: McDavid buries the OT winner past Hellebuyck, to win it for Canada, 3-2
11:22 p.m. ET
This is just unreal hockey and Jordan Binnington is standing on his head.
He just robbed Brady Tkachuk on the goal line after he did the same to Auston Matthews.
It appeared as if Auston Matthews would end this, but Jordan Binnington somehow got his stick on a shot from in close.
He also just robbed Matthews with a sharp glove save.
A few second later Brad Marchand came in along on Hellebuyck, but was denied.
CAN@USA: Binnington ships out the glove to rob Tkachuk in tight
11:14 p.m. ET
OT has started and it’s definitely next goal wins.
What more can you ask for than sudden-death OT to decide a championship?
The fans here have certainly gotten their money’s worth, and the fans watching at home have been treated to an amazing show.
I wonder how many people are going to call out “sick” tomorrow in the winning country.
11 p.m. ET
We are going to OT and I was wrong earlier. We are going to play 5-on-5 for 20-minute periods until someone scores. So no chance of a shootout and no 3-on-3. We could be here a while.
10:57 p.m. ET
There is 1:29 left and OT is looking like a real possiblity.
A “Johnny Hockey” chant broke out with 4 minutes left, perhaps the fans trying to give the U.S. players one final push to get them going and over the finish line.
I can’t imagine what it’s like to play in a game like this. How the players keep their cool is absolutely amazing.
I can’t imagine what people watching on TV and Canada are feeling.
This is absolute torture – fun torture I mean.
10:50 p.m. ET
Canada is turning up heat with some extended zone time as the seconds tick away here in Boston.
It’s 2-2 with 4:29 left and it certainly feels right now like next goal wins, but who will get it.
There are “USA, USA” chants still going on, but you can tell the anxiety level in here is rising while the clock shrinks.
Earlier, they showed Charlie McAvoy on the big board, and of course, he got a huge hand from the crowd in Boston. It has to be killing him to not be in this game.
10:41 p.m. ET
We are down to brass tacks now. We have 9:46 left and the game is tied, and it feels like we are already in sudden-death overtime – NEXT GOAL WINS. Maybe
It certainly feels that way in this arena. It is tense and everyone is on the edge of their seats.
Jaccob Slavin is having the game of his life. He’s been everywhere for the U.S on defense, stepping up big with Charlie McAvoy out.
Same with Jake Guentzel, who has been all over the ice with several scoring chances.
10:34 p.m. ET
This is heart-stopping hockey here. The puck came dangerously close to going into the Canada net a few times, and the crowd is loving it, hanging on every bounce, every pass, every shot and every save.
I made it back from the candy bar unscathed.
Again, Matthew Thachuk has not been in the ice to start the period.
10:30 p.m ET
Jordan Binnington comes up big again, stopping Jake Guentzel on a breakaway with 17:07 left in the third.
Also, Matthew Tkachuk in on the U.S. bench, right smack in the middle, but he has not left the bench and it appears he could be done for the night.
That hurts.
We have 14:53 left in the third in a real nail-biter.
10:23 p.m. ET
Here we go. The third period has started and it’s tied 2-2.
One thing to watch – U.S. forward Matthew Tkachuk missed two shifts at the end of the second period. This after missing Monday’s loss to Sweden and the final few minutes of the win against Canada on Saturday.
Clearly, the next goal is huge. Let’s see who gets it.
10:04 p.m. ET
You can cut the tension with a … well, you know – in here. The second period is over and we are tied 2-2.
Who will be the hero? Who will score the goal of a lifetime? Who could end up being the goat? Why am I asking you?
I believe I just heard a “Dunkin’ Donuts” chant and Dan Rosen wasn’t leading it.
I’ve been told the candy and hot pretzels are out in the media area, so as soon as this period is over, I gotta get over there because well, you know, there is nothing sportswriters like more than free food. It could be a stampede.
Amalie Benjamin, a TD Garden veteran, has already gone up and got some popcorn.
9:55 p.m. ET
Hold the party there, U.S.A.
Sam Bennett just tied the game on a gorgeous goal, putting the puck up over Connor Hellebuyck after taking a sweet feed from Mitch Marner.
And it’s 2-2 with 5:51 left in the second period.
Before the goal, Sidney Crosby a had a golden opportuity to tie the game, but Jaccob Slavin was able to knock away a puck from the crease before the Canada captain could bang it home.
The DJ has gotten the Led out. First he played “Rock and Roll,” then he played some mashup of “Whole Lotta Love” and “Helter Skelter” by the Beatles.
And then he played “Tom Sawyer” by Rush. Surprised he didn’t get booed for playing a Canadian band.
CAN@USA: Bennett stuffs it past Hellebuyck to tie the game at 2 in the 2nd
9:45 p.m. ET
Brady Tkachuk continues to stir it up. He just went to the net hard after Jordan Binnington made a save.
The crowd is letting Binnington have it, chanting “Jordan, Jordan.”
This came after the U.S. killed the Trocheck penalty and then got a great chance to score when J.T. Miller and Dylan Larkin came down on a 2-on-1, but Binnington made the save to keep it 2-1.
The Canada power play couldn’t get any shots to the net and it the U.S. is starting to impose its will on them.
Canada clearly needs the next goal or this could get ugly quick.
9:40 p.m. ET
Jake Sanderson, who wasn’t originally on this team, just scored to make it 2-1 with 12:28 in the second period, banging home a rebound on a shot from Auston Matthews.
He replaced Quinn Hughes a few days before the tournament started and he cashes in on the biggest goal of his life.
The crowd is now riding Binnington, chanting “Jordan, Jordan.” It’s the second assist for Auston Matthews, who has had his share of nightmares in this building with the Maple Leafs.
Now Canada is going to the power play after Vincent Trocheck trips Sam Bennett.
CAN@USA: Sanderson burries it from down low past Binnington to put USA on top 2-1 in the 2nd
9:33 p.m. ET
The action is picking up here and so is the nastiness. At around the 15 minute mark, there was a scramble in front and Jordan Binnington lost the puck, but the U.S. couldn’t get a good shot on goal.
Brad Marchand continues to be booed in this building – his home arena. And now we have some extracurricular activiites, with Brady Tkahcuk and Cale Makar exchanging pleasantries. But no one goes to the box.
And now Thomas Harley and Jake Guentzel mix it up a bit.
The refs are certainly going to let them play tonight, and that’s good with so much on the line.
Oh, and Ben Franklin just won a contest on the big board. Don’t believe me. Check out the photo.
9:27 ET
The second period has started.
A lot of the talk in the press box between periods was about how Connor Hellebuyck kept the U.S. in the game with some big pad saves on scrambles. This was while the U.S. was trying to pass its way through center ice, but Canada kept picking off the passes.
So let’s see how things go here early.
Cleary, this game has not as been as physical and fight filled as the first one — again, there is too much at stake for shenanigans.
It appeared as if J.T. Miller of the U.S. got drilled by someone as he sprawled to the ice, but upon replay he may have just lost an edge.
9:06 p.m. ET
The first period is over and this game has been as advertised.
It’s 1-1, the shots are even 10-10, the pace has been incredible and this crowd is absolutely on the edge of its seat.
Brady Tkachuk, who left the U.S. game vs. Sweden on Monday with an injury, has been everywhere, scoring the tying goal and delivering a massive hit on Canada defensemen Thomas Harley near the end of the first.
We’re all going to take a breath here and be back in about 15 minutes.
CAN@USA: Tkachuk chips it past Binnington to tie it up at 1 in the 1st
9:01 p.m. ET
The U.S. has tied the game and it’s none other than Brady Tkachuk who gets the goal. And “Free Bird” plays. Tkahcuk took a great pass in the slot from Auston Matthews and this place is alive again.
“The USA, USA” chants are back and loud.
No Led Zeppelin yet, but we get “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love” by Van Halen for the second straight game here.
Nice work. Just keep the Van Hagar away and we’ll be good.
And now we get some Quiet Riot.
During the last break, they gave away 10 pounds of lobster to a lucky fan. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our Mike Zeisberger, who swallowed up a crustacean last night at dinner.
8:52 p.m ET
Connor Hellebuyck is under seige at the moment, and he just made a couple of huge pad saves on Sam Bennett, who was banging away at a loose puck in the crease.
But it’s Jordan Binnington who has come up with the biggest save of the night so far, stopping Dylan Larkin, who came in a on a breakaway.
Again, Canada is taking advantage of some sloppy play by the U.S., but that time Larkin was able to get behnind the Canada D and go in alone on Binnington.
Also, we are almost 15 minutes into the game and the DJ has yet to get the Led out. What is going on here?
8:45 p.m. ET
Canada is taking advantage of the U.S.’s impatience, picking off long stretch passes in center ice and bringing it back into the offensive zone.
One turnover led to a great Canada chance that led to a mad scramble in front. Luckily for the U.S., Connor Hellebuyck was able to find the puck.
Some young girl in a Canada jersey just did a quiz game on the big board during a timeout and she got booed. Really?
Not sure if you saw, but Charlie McAvoy read the U.S. lineup before the game.
They also just showed Willie O’Ree on the big board here.
McAvoy reads USA starters while mic’d up
8:34 p.m. ET
Nathan MacKinnon has given Canada exactly what it needed, an early lead. He beats Connor Hellebuyck with a gorgeous wrist shot thorugh traffic at 4:48 of the first and well, let’s see how the U.S. responds.
You can make an argument that MacKinnon, despite being the Hart Trophy winner last season, is still somewhat underappreciated outside the main hockey circles.
Well, the kid from Nova Scotia could change that tonight.
CAN@USA: MacKinnon drills it past Hellebuyck to put Canada up 1-0 in the 1st
8:30 p.m. ET
Well, we made it through 10 seconds – actually 4 minutes – and no fights. It goes to show you how serious these guys are. No funny business tonight.
Well, as it type this, Brady Tkachuk starts a little trouble and the DJ plays “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got it)” by AC/DC. Nice touch.
I believe Brad Marchand of the Bruins just got booed in his own building. Wow.
8:20 p.m. ET
The anthems are over and the place is going bananas.
Before the players took the ice, they showed a great hype video from ESPN, one that featured the Herb Brooks’ speech from “Miracle,” spliced in with the current USA team.
That only made the “USA, USA” chants louder.
This place is absolutely bonkers.
Then Wayne Gretzky came on the ice as Canada’s honorary captain.
But them Mike Eruzione came on the ice wearing a Johnny Gaudreau USA jersey. What a moment.
By the way, the fact that Kurt Russell didn’t get an Oscar for “Miracle” is the biggest crime in Hollywood history since Walter Matthau didn’t get one for “Bad News Bears.”
I did a radio spot on a station in lovely Regina, Saskatchewan today and my take was the key for Canada was to survive the first five minutes – either keep the game even or get a lead.
For the U.S., it needs to play tough, but not cross the line and take a penalty and put Canada on the power play.
Let’s see what happens.
Here we go.
8:10 p.m. ET
The players are about to come back onto the ice for the anthems, starting lineups and finally, puck drop.
This place is packed, loud, boisterous and ready for an epic night.
It’s official, Chris Kreider, a Boston guy, is in the lineup and 30-goal-scorer Kyle Connor is scratched.
Mike Sullivan is opening up himself to second guessing if this doesn’t work out, but that’s why he’s the boss.
Here are the starting lineups
For Canada
Brayden Point — Mark Stone — Connor McDavid at forward
Devon Toews and Cale Makar on defense
Jordan Binnington in goal
for the U.S.
Brady Tkachuk — Jack Eichel — Matthew Tkachuk at forward
Zach Werenski and Brock Faber on defense
Connor Hellebuyck in goal
7:55 p.m. ET
Warmups are over and we are about 20 minutes from puck drop of what promises to be an epic night here in Boston.
Again, defenseman Josh Morrissey is out for Canada – I would make a Smiths jokes here if this wasn’t such a big game — and Thomas Harley is in. In case you missed it last week, Harley was actually born in the U.S. – no Springsteen joke either — but his parents are Canadian, so he plays for Canada.
If Kreider is in for the U.S., well he’s had an up-and-down season for the Rangers, so maybe he gets the chance to be the hero tonight.
Speaking of up and down, elevators have been a running theme through this tournament.
First, our pal Per from Sweden got stuck in an elevator in New York on Monday. He luckily got out and made it here on time for the games.
Today, Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Burnside had to wait almost 15 minutes for an elevator at our hotel. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so upset. He’s a pretty easy going guy and a tremendous writer, but I have learned now to not keep him waiting.
And when we finally got to TD Garden, the elevator that took us to the press room was more of a local than an express.
But we all made it.
It’s been quite a 11 days since we all – well, except Dan Rosen – gathered in Montreal on Super Bowl Sunday to cover this tournament.
We’ve been through snowstorms, ice storms, wind storms, endless hours on the tarmac and countless gallons of Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.
I don’t think anyone associated with this tournament expected it to become as big as it has become in under two weeks. But here we are for arguably the biggest international hockey game ever next to the “Miracle on Ice” game, which took place 45 years ago this Saturday.
Before we get started, just want to say again how much I appreciate those who read and gave me material for this blog. Also, the whole NHL.com team – the writers on the road and the editors and producers in the office – hope you enjoyed the coverage.
7:35 p.m. ET
We have some breaking news here. Defenseman Josh Morrissey of Canada is out with an illness and Thomas Harley, who was brought in when Cale Makar missed the first U.S. game is back in.
That illness has been making the rounds around this whole tournament, which is why the U.S. had Brett Pesce and Tage Thompson come to Boston today.
The “USA, USA” chants are getting louder as more people file into TD Garden and the players take the ice.
It’s probably about half-full right now, with some other fans getting “ready” in the nearby establishments. But I’m sure it will be standing room only once the puck drops.
But it’s not an all U.S. crowd here, there are plenty of folks in Canada gear, and they are getting booed everytime they are shown on the big board.
We still don’t know what the U.S. lineup will look like, but there were rumblings today that forward Chris Kreider would stay in the lineup and Kyle Connor would be a healhty scratch.
If Kreider is in for Connor, that is a huge move – and gamble – for U.S. coach Mike Sullivan.
Kreider did score against Sweden for the U.S., but he has not had a great season for the Rangers, with 20 points (16 goals, four assists) in 47 games. Connor had 69 points (30 goals, 39 assists) in 56 games. He’s first among all U.S.-born NHL players in the league in goals and sixth overall.
Of course, defenseman Charlie McAvoy won’t play, but word is he will be here to watch having left Mass General Hospital.
7:20 p.m.
We have about an hour to go before puck drop and this city is electric. I think it’s safe to say this might be the most anticipated hockey game in decades, probably since Canada defeated the U.S. in the 2010 Olympic gold-medal game in Vancouver. Sidney Crosby, who will play for Canada tonight, scored the OT goal.
How excited are people in this town? There was a line of fans outside the team gift shop in North Station at 10 a.m. this morning.
And at 6:49 p.m. ET, about 90 minutes from puck drop, there were already a good among of people in their seats soaking it all in. I even heard a few dueling “USA, USA,” “Canada, Canada” chants.
It’s even nuts outside. A bus ride from out hotel to the rink usually takes about 15 minutes but took about 40 tonight because of the traffic in the city and near the area.
Adding to the hype of this game is what happened Saturday in Montreal, when there were three fights in the first nine seconds and the U.S. won. Since then, Brandon Hagel of Canada and Matthew Tkahcuk – who squared off in the first fight – had traded verbal jabs.
We have some lineup changes tonight. There is a sense that Chris Kreider could stay in the lineup for the U.S. and Kyle Connor would be scratched. For Canada, Seth Jarvis is back in and Travis Konecny is out. We will know more during warmups.
One lineup change from the first meeting we already know is Canada will have superstar defenseman Cale Makar back in, while the U.S. will be missing Charlie McAvoy, who was a one-man wrecking crew in the first game. That could play a big role.
I’ll be back during warmups.
NOTE: Standings below are updated after each game.
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Is the USA’s Matthew Tkachuk hurting again?
The Florida Panthers star winger sat on the U.S. bench toward the end of the second period Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, skating one brief shift before returning to the bench. He was on the bench at the start of the third.
He was hurt at the end of the first USA-Canada game on Saturday, staying on the bench near the end of the third period.
Tkachuk missed Monday’s game against Sweden but was in the starting lineup on Thursday on a line with brother Brady.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan said USA assistant coach John Hynes told her that Tkachuk was battling through an injury but said, “I can push through this.” He’s expected to play a limited role in the third period.
The Tkachuk brothers have been dominant in the tournament. Both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk scored two goals in the opener against Finland.
Then both brothers started fights in the opening seconds of Saturday’s game against Canada.
Brady Tkachuk left Monday’s game with an injury and was reportedly dealing with an illness on Thursday.
But he scored the USA’s opening goal and had four hits through two periods.
This story has been updated with new information.
4 Nations Face-Off final game time tonight: How to watch Team USA vs Canada in Boston
The United States and Canadian national hockey teams square off Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game on Thursday night.
The highly-anticipated finale will be a rematch of Saturday’s intense group stage battle between the two neighboring countries who now have even more of a rooting interest against each other in part because of President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about annexing Canada and the proposed tariffs against the USA’s northern neighbor.
Powered by a game-winning goal from Detroit Red Wings star and captain Dylan Larkin, the United States won the group stage matchup, 3-1, in Montreal on Saturday.
The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament replaced the traditional NHL All-Star break. It is a round-robin tournament that featured the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland. Larkin and Sweden’s Lucas Raymond were the two Red Wings to participate in the tournament. The Red Wings resume the second half of their season on Saturday at home against the Minnesota Wild.
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After the NHL barred its players from competing in the last two Winter Olympics, international hockey again has the “best-on-best” facing off against each other. It was the first time the United States had beaten Canada in a best-on-best matchup since the round robin at the 2010 Olympics.
WHAT ARE THOSE:Detroit Red Wings wear new helmets and wonder: ‘Who are we?’
Here is all the information on how to watch Larkin and the United States face off against Canada on Thursday night.
Odds as of Thursday morning via BetMGM.
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