It was enjoyable just to watch the Americans and Canadians warming up for the championship game of the best-on-best 4 Nations Face-Off at TD Garden. The game should be something.
The Canadians are not dealing with the the same level of impactful injuries as the United States – that we know of – but that doesn’t mean the players in uniform for the U.S. aren’t going to play this game like it’s the last Game 7 of their ilves.
Canada desperately needs this, the United States not so much, but if the Americans were to compete as if that were true, then they don’t belong on the 4 Nations Face-Off squad. And all indications have been that the American players care every bit as much.
Quinn Hughes will not be replacing Charlie McAvoy on the USA blue line, where Brett Pesce is likely to get the call. On Canada’s side, Cale Makar is back in the lineup. That’s a tough plus-minus for the U.S., especially if Brady and/or Matthew Tkachuk are at all limited.
Connor Hellebuyck will return to the Team USA lineup to face Jordan Binnington.
4 NATIONS FACE-OFF CHAMPIONSHIP
FIRST PERIOD
Brilliant weave and timing of the shot by Nathan MacKinnon, bearing Hellebuyck for a 1-0 Canada lead.
The Canadians are making smart dumps, winning pucks and making thoughtful, quick plays to gain quality chances.
Halfway through the first period, the U.S. has only won one of eight faceoffs in the game.
Off the ice, Charlie McAvoy walked into the ninth floor with his right arm in a sling.
On the ice, Brady Tkachuk answered from the top of the crease with 3:08 remaining in the opening period, 1-1.
Tkachuk then knocked Canadian defenseman Thomas Harley flying on the forecheck, the biggest hit of the game but nowhere near the most important.
Canada was outshot 10-9 but leveraged its game for more of the period than did USA. It took some excellent stick and body positioning by Jake Sanderson to defend against Sidney Crosby.
So far nothing is settled.
The atmosphere is more tense than rowdy, and the physicality more tactical that statement oriented.
SECOND PERIOD
Sanderson scored from the slot 7:32 into the second period, his chance the culmination of USA pressure and saves by Binnington, who’s been very good.
Vinnie Trocheck tripped Sam Bennett, but Canada had a difficult time getting shots through.
Sam Bennett ties the game at 14:00, and he started the play by winning the puck from JT Miller in front of the benches, eluding Miller as well on the contact end of the play. 2-2.
A flurry of hits by USA on Canadian players as the second period wound down. Chris Kreider on Seth Jarvis, Brock Faber on Brad Marchand twice. I missed who it was with a knockdown hit on Drew Doughty’s puck retrieval, and finally Brady Tkachuk went one on one with Thomas Harley, who deflected Tkachuk’s shot over the glass only to get crosschecked in the back to the ice. The officials are burying the whistles, as they are now in Stanley Cup Game 7 mode.
2-2 after two periods, and 19-19 in shots on goal. As the late, great Bud Collins said when Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors were deadlocked at 4-all in the fifth set of the 1977 Wimbledon final, “We had hoped it would be closer.”
THIRD PERIOD
Matthew Tkachuk played 6:47 of this game and has not been seen for most of the second period as well.
A reach and a tip of a puck to keep it in the attacking instead finds Jake Guentzel in stride, and he eludes the backcheck through the slot but cannot do more than force a backhand that Binnington gobbles up.
Binnington makes two more big saves, first on Zach Werenski from the slot, then on Brady Tkachuk from a bad angle high off his shoulder (going for the helmet deflection).
Close calls at both ends, but the closest was when Hellebuyck played the puck and stepped in Jake Sanderson’s way, turning it over leading to extended pressure by Canada.
Regulation ends, 2-2.
This game goes to overtime, Stanley Cup playoffs style.
Shots after three periods: 27-24 USA.
FOURTH PERIOD
5-on-5, 20-minute period like playoffs, and the next goal wins the 4 Nations Face-Off championship.
Jack Hughes, who had lost a crucial race earlier, loses one in overtime that results in icing on the U.S., and the D-zone start that goes with it.
Canada isolates McDavid, and it’s over.
Canada wins the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Olympic-style celebration in front of the happy fans, which means TD Garden had mostly emptied out.
The Bruins begin their must-win reset on Saturday night against Anaheim at TD Garden, the first of three home games before they hit the road for the lion’s share of their remaining schedule. Toronto is here on Tuesday.
Will Marchand bring momentum with him?
Drive safely.
Rink Rap with Mick Colageo 