Team USA clinched their place in the Championship game with a 3-1 victory over Canada on Saturday. Jake Guentzel scored twice, while Dylan Larkin netted the game-winner. Connor Hellebuyck delivered a strong performance in goal, stopping 25 of 26 shots.
Team Sweden’s Path to the Final
Sweden suffered their second overtime loss of the tournament but still has a chance to reach the Championship game. They need a regulation win and an overtime result between Canada and Finland to advance. On Saturday, Mika Zibanejad, Rasmus Dahlin, and Erik Karlsson each scored. Filip Gustavsson started in net but was pulled after allowing two goals on four shots due to illness. Linus Ullmark stepped in and made 15 saves on 17 shots.
What is the 4 Nations Face-Off?
With the NHL taking a two-week hiatus and no All-Star Game this year, the 4 Nations Face-Off brings a thrilling international round-robin tournament featuring NHL players from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden.
🏒 Scoring System
- Regulation win: 3 points
- Overtime/Shootout win: 2 points
- Overtime/Shootout loss: 1 point
The top two teams at the end of the round-robin advance to the championship game. USA and Canada entered the tournament as co-favorites, setting the stage for high-intensity matchups.
Team USA Strikes Early in 4 Nations Victory Over Sweden
Credit: cleveland.com
It took just 35 seconds for the United States to get on the board in Monday night’s 4 Nations matchup against Sweden. Chris Kreider capitalized on an assist from Zach Werenski, firing the puck past Swedish goaltender Samuel Ersson to give Team USA an early lead.
The Boston crowd erupted as “Free Bird” echoed through TD Garden, setting the stage for an electric atmosphere. The fast start fueled Team USA’s momentum as they secured their third win of the tournament.
Now, all eyes turn to Thursday’s highly anticipated 4 Nations final, where Team USA will face Canada in a heated rematch. Their previous round-robin meeting was filled with intensity, including three fights within the first nine seconds. The rivalry continues at TD Garden, with puck drop set for 8 p.m. ET.
USA vs. Sweden Preview
The United States has already secured its spot in the 4-Nations Face-Off Championship after a 3-1 victory over Canada on Feb. 15 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, featuring a highly emotional match with three fights in the opening nine seconds. With the championship game set for Feb. 20 at TD Garden, the USA will face Canada once again, who held off a fierce third-period comeback from Finland.
Before that highly anticipated rematch, the USA will meet Sweden in a friendly-style matchup. The pressure is off for the Americans, but they’re unlikely to let up on the physicality after tallying 34 hits in their previous game against Canada, including 17 in the first period alone. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, the USA team still has much to prove as they aim for a perfect record in the tournament.
Key Players
- Jake Guentzel (3 goals, 1 assist)
- Zach Werenski (4 assists)
- Jack Eichel (3 assists)
Team Changes
- Matthew Tkachuk (2 goals, 1 assist) will sit out due to a lower-body injury.
- Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars) will start in goal for the USA, boasting a 2.35 GAA and a .911 SV%.
The USA enters this game with two wins and a chance to secure a perfect nine points before their highly anticipated rematch against Canada for the championship.
4 Nations Face-Off Full Schedule – TD Garden, Boston
📍 Venue: TD Garden, Boston
- Monday, Feb. 17 – 🇸🇪 Sweden vs. United States 🇺🇸
⏰ 8 p.m. ET | 📺 TNT, truTV, MAX
- Thursday, Feb. 20 – 🏆 Championship Game: United States vs. Canada 🇺🇸🇨🇦
⏰ 8 p.m. ET | 📺 ESPN, ESPN Plus.
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