USA vs Canada live score updates: 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game latest
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The United States is taking on Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden in Boston.
Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring for Canada early in the first period, firing a wrister through traffic and beating Connor Hellebuyck up high. Team USA tied the game late in the first after Brady Tkachuk cleaned up an Auston Matthews wraparound.
The United States took the lead near the midway point of the second period as Jake Sanderson flicked in a rebound to cap off a hectic sequence. Canada equalized with six minutes remaining in the second on an accurate Sam Bennett shot from close range, assisted by Mitch Marner.
Follow updates from our team of reporters live from the game below.
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This. This right here. This is the game the NHL needed. The theatrics of Saturday’s round-robin game were great fun, but this doesn’t have any of the extracurriculars that make non-hockey fans roll their eyes. This is just pure, uncut sports goodness. It’s fast, it’s fierce, and there have been steady chances in both directions. It would have been a bummer to have gotten a blowout, or something akin to Canada’s ridiculously effective but incredibly dull defensive dominance from the 2014 Olympics. Overtime is always better, but no matter how this one ends, nobody will feel short-changed, and nobody will walk away thinking hockey is boring.
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Serious question. If USA wins, he should be in the conversation with Werenski, Eichel, and Hellebuyck. Rock solid in the toughest matchups in the tournament.
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You can feel the tension in this building. Reminds me a lot of how it felt in Vancouver in the 2010 Olympic gold medal game. Both teams trying to minimize mistakes. Nothing fancy.
P3 12:06 – United States 2, Canada 2
Jarvis has a great shooting opportunity but Slavin comes up huge for the U.S. defense yet again, putting his body on the line to block Jarvis’ attempt.
Jake Guentzel has been one of Team USA’s best players all night. I covered him for many years and thus am equipped with the knowledge that Guentzel never met a big game that he didn’t like. He’s as cool as they come in the biggest of moments. He’s come awfully close to scoring numerous times in this one.
By the way, this might sound like overkill, but since we’re all enjoying this rivalry so much, you could scrap this silly 4 Nations idea and just have a USA-Canada best-of-seven series every other year. I’m serious. It would be great. It’s what the people want. The TV ratings aren’t going to lie.
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Zero shifts for Matthew Tkachuk so far in the third period. Looks like he’ll be a spectator. He could barely skate in the second.
P3 12:41 – United States 2, Canada 2
An absolutely frenetic pace now! The chances are coming thick and fast. First, Canada hits the iron of Hellebuyck’s goalpost as Makar’s shot is deflected by Hagel before taking multiple bounces.
Then, Guentzel has a chance right in front of net but Binnington gets his stick to the shot to deflect it away. And finally, a loose puck off the boards nearly gives Eichel a free goal, but Point makes an incredible defensive play to knock the puck away!
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I’m not sure Travis Sanheim and Colton Parayko were cut out for this level in the end. They’ve both struggled tonight and in stretches throughout the tournament, and Sanheim has fought the puck at times. The absences of Shea Theodore, Alex Pietrangelo and Josh Morrissey have obviously been felt, but I also think there are reasonable questions to ask about whether a MacKenzie Weegar (who can play both sides) would have been a better third-pairing fit, or if this Canadian blue line could have used Evan Bouchard’s puck-moving.
P3 14:53 – United States 2, Canada 2
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reports that Matthew Tkachuk, who has yet to play in the third period, told the U.S. coaching staff that he can push through his injury and continue to play. Kaplan reports that the coaching staff told her they would use him in a limited role.
P3 16:43 – United States 2, Canada 2
Werenski with a big shooting chance in the slot but Binnington makes the save.
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P3 17:07 – United States 2, Canada 2
Canada gets caught in a change, allowing Guentzel to scoop up a loose puck and break free on goal. Makar belatedly comes onto the ice and limits Guentzel’s options somewhat. Guentzel tries a backhand but his attempt is ultimately easy for Binnington to save.
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P3 20:00 – United States 2, Canada 2
Twenty minutes (or maybe more) stand between one of these teams and glory!
United States defenseman Jake Sanderson was asked about his first 4 Nations Face-Off goal during second intermission.
“I blacked out,” Sanderson said to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. “Great play from the guys and I was just glad to make a play there.”
Sanderson also spoke about his excitement after being called into the Team USA roster.
“I was shaking, was so fired up,” he said. “I was so happy to be here with these guys.”
Canada’s leader in shots on goal through two periods is Sam Bennett, with six. He has played 7:57, only Brad Marchand and Seth Jarvis, his linemates, have played less.
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Connor McDavid has been held in check so far by the United States.
The Canadian star has totaled 13:43 minutes of ice time through two periods, but has only recorded two shots on goal.
If Canada is to win this game, they could certainly use a game-changing moment like the ones that McDavid is so capable of providing.
Jake Sanderson is making the most of his opportunity in this tournament.
The 22-year-old defenseman, who entered the United States lineup for the injured Charlie McAvoy, delivered Team USA’s go-ahead goal in the second period.
Sanderson has five goals in 55 games this season for the Ottawa Senators.
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Zach Werenski’s second-period assist on Jake Sanderson’s goal moved him to the top of the point leader chart.
He now has six points during the 4 Nations Face-Off, moving him past Sidney Crosby’s five.
Should Werenski hang onto the top spot, he would become the first defenseman to be the outright points leader at an NHL international tournament.
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Team Canada:
Team USA:
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Christopher L.: Take away time and space, Americans.
Carl G.: Is McDavid playing tonight???
Gary M.: Siri. Play Free Bird.
William D.: Binnington is giving me a heart attack.
If you subscribe to The Athletic, you can get involved by leaving a comment in the ‘Discuss’ tab that you can see at the top of your webpage or app. We’ll be pulling out some of our favorite comments throughout the night.
Canada 2, USA 2 in third period
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Third period is underway!
Sanderson: ‘I blacked out’ after scoring goal
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Sanderson unlikely goal scorer for Team USA
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Your views on Canada-United States
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 is in Boston to provide all the sights, sounds, highlights for what is going to be a historic night for hockey.
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.
In case you’re wondering, if we get to OT, it’s 3-on-3 for 10 minutes and then it’s a three-round shootout.
From what I understand, if the shootout is tied after 3 rounds, the teams can start repeating players, so we could get a T.J. Oshie situation again.
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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How to watch 4 Nations Face-Off final: Canada-USA on ESPN
The stage is set for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off final. After a week of group play, the USA meets Canada in the championship — a rematch following the USA’s 3-1 victory on Feb. 18. With the first outing filled with fights and intensity, fans are hoping for more of the same.
Though the U.S. will be without injured defenseman Charlie McAvoy, Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk are expected to play. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid will look to help Canada turn the tables in Round 2.
Who will take home the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off title? Here are more key facts about the event.
How can fans watch?
Coverage for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship begins on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET with “The Point: 4 Nations Face-Off Pregame Show” hosted by Steve Levy alongside analyst Mark Messier and P.K. Subban on ESPN and ESPN+.
USA vs. Canada will start at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes and Disney+.
Fans can catch all the action in the NHL streaming hub.
How can fans access more NHL content from ESPN?
Check out the ESPN NHL hub page for breaking news, stats, schedules and more.
Mark Messier previews the high-stakes rematch as USA faces Canada in a winner-takes-all showdown for the 4 Nations Face-Off crown. (1:58)
BOSTON — What makes Team USA a team — and not just a collection of All-Stars — is having Jaccob Slavin on the roster.
That’s not conjecture. That’s what Team USA coach Mike Sullivan said when asked what the Carolina Hurricanes defenseman means to the men’s national team at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Practically everything about Team USA is a spectacle. The way they win is a spectacle. Their personalities are spectacles upon spectacles. Even hearing the song “Free Bird” after each goal is a spectacle; the reaction it draws from Team USA’s fans comes with the expectation that a bald eagle is going to soar throughout the arena to the backdrop of fireworks.
And while Slavin is the antithesis of that spectacle, what he does for the team is one of the main reasons the spectacle exists in the first place. Goals and those who score those goals receive the bulk of the attention. Goal prevention is not always guaranteed acclaim.
But this is what defines Slavin. It’s also what could help America sit atop the hockey world with another win over Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+).
“He’s so underrated and he’s honestly one of my favorite players to watch,” Team USA defenseman Jake Sanderson said. “He just flies under the radar and makes great plays. He’s so solid defensively and such a great skater. It’s the sort of attribute I want in my game someday.”
LEADING INTO THE TOURNAMENT, a big talking point was what Team USA’s defensive structure would look like. While Connor Hellebuyck was long believed to be the starting goalie, there was a thought that whoever would be in front of America’s goalies was going to give opponents fits.
The U.S. created a defensive corps featuring Brock Faber, Adam Fox, Charlie McAvoy, Zach Werenski, Noah Hanifin and Sanderson. Those six skaters are part of a larger wave of puck-moving defensemen who’ve helped define the NHL’s newest glamour position.
It’s a group that initially included the reigning Norris Trophy winner, Quinn Hughes, who was ruled out because of an injury.
But that also comes with the caveat that the rise of those puck-moving defensemen has led to defensive-minded defensemen receiving less attention.
Or to view it another way: The NHL’s affinity for two-way quarterbacks has come at the cost of those shutdown defensemen. And if his Team USA teammates are quarterbacks for what they do in the offensive zone, that in turn makes Slavin a shutdown cornerback.
“Jaccob’s a guy that, in my mind, is one of the best defenders and one of the best defending defensemen in the league,” Sullivan said. “His size, his mobility, his reach, his ability to read plays, he closes on people, how strong he is in the battle areas. I don’t know if there’s a defenseman in the league who defends the rush more aggressively or better than Jaccob does.”
MANY THINGS HAVE CONTRIBUTED to why Team USA has looked like the most consistently complete team throughout the 4 Nations tournament. One of those is a restrictive defensive structure that, if all else fails, can rely on Hellebuyck, one of the greatest goaltenders America has ever produced, to contain the situation.
Actually getting to that point against Team USA has been rare for opponents. Finland scored only once, as did Canada. The U.S. won both of those games, which made Monday’s 2-1 loss to Sweden irrelevant because it had already qualified for the title game.
The most surprising part of Sweden’s two goals? Slavin was on the ice for both.
Before that, he had logged more than 45 combined 5-on-5 and short-handed minutes without a goal being scored. He leads Team USA’s skaters with an average ice time of 21:31 per game, while anchoring a penalty kill that hasn’t allowed a power-play goal against.
“He’s super tough to play against. I’m a D and I don’t go against him a lot,” Sweden and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. “The way he is in the way, the way he breaks pucks up and is such a great skater.”
Much of what Slavin does is in the details, but there are times when it becomes large enough for all to see. That was the case in the win over Canada, when Colorado Avalanche superstar center and reigning Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon was speeding in for a zone entry, as he has done so often in his NHL career.
Just when it appeared MacKinnon found an opening, Slavin was right there — forcing one of the game’s most dangerous players to rethink his approach.
“Yeah, he’s incredible defensively and does a lot of little things that are hard to notice,” said Hanifin, who was teammates with Slavin for three seasons in Carolina. “Just his stick. He breaks up so many plays that are hard to break up.
“He’s a great skater; he’s always gapping up and limiting an opponent’s time and space. He’s one of the best in the game at it.”
TEAM USA AND Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger said that he always knew that Slavin was underrated, but actually playing with him at the 4 Nations gave him a greater appreciation for what he does.
“He takes away stuff before it ever happens,” Oettinger said. “It never has time to develop, and he just reads the game so well and is so smart. I’m sure those goalies in Carolina love playing for him.”
Slavin does have an offensive presence. He has had seven seasons of more than 30 points, and is flirting with what would be an eighth season, with 20 points through 56 games this NHL season. In total, he’s had 292 points in 721 career games. For comparison, Hughes has scored 392 points in just 412 games.
But another detail that speaks to Slavin’s effectiveness is how he’s low-risk for penalties, despite consistently playing in high-risk situations (for copious minutes) on a nightly basis.
The 30-year-old Slavin is averaging more than 22 minutes per game for his career, yet he has accrued only 94 total penalty minutes in those 721 games. Another comparison: Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk finished second in the NHL with 134 penalty minutes last season.
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Sullivan explained that Team USA wanted to build the sort of well-rounded team that could thrive in whatever situation was presented.
By adding Slavin to its roster, Team USA has done more than thrive in all situations at the 4 Nations Face-Off. And now, he has put them in position to win it all.
“He’s been a big part of our group’s ability to be stingy defensively,” Sullivan said. “He’s a huge part of our penalty kill. He helps us at our net front. Those are the types of skill sets or complementary skill sets we were looking for when we were putting this group together.
“He may not be the guy that ends up on the scoring sheet or on [‘SportsCenter’], he’s just the guy that helps you win.”
The New York Islanders placed defenseman Dennis Cholowski on waivers on Thursday.
The Islanders have one open roster spot coming out of the break but might need two as they anticipate the return of defensemen Scott Mayfield (lower body) and Ryan Pulock (upper body) from injured reserve. Both participated in their third straight practice on Thursday ahead of the Islanders’ next game Sunday against the Dallas Stars.
Cholowski, who turned 27 on Saturday, has three goals, seven assists, 10 penalty minutes and an average of 12:48 time on ice in 33 games this season.
The Detroit Red Wings selected him with the 20th overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft. He was picked by the Seattle Kraken from the Red Wings’ roster in the 2021 expansion draft.
He has 13 career goals, 27 assists, 38 penalty minutes, 147 blocks and 48 hits while averaging 16:47 of ice time in 150 games for the Red Wings (2018-21), Washington Capitals (2021-22), Kraken (2022) and Islanders (2022-23, 2024-25).
