The 4 Nations Face-Off has begun! After Canada and Sweden started the fun on Wednesday, the tournament continues on Thursday, with the United States taking on Finland from the Bell Centre in Montreal. It will be the first game of the tournament for both teams.
4 Nations Face-Off
United States vs. Finland
Time: 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time
TV: ESPN, ESPN+
As mentioned earlier, both the United States and Finland begin play in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The last time the United States and Finland met in international play with NHL stars, Finland walked away with the bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Teemu Selanne, playing in his final Olympics, scored two goals and was named the MVP of the Tournament.
Eleven years later, the NHL stars of today take the ice for the two countries. It may not be the Olympics, but it is an opportunity to represent one’s country in international play. The pride of representing one’s country is something NHL players have missed since the league decided to stop participating in the Olympics.
Team USA Turns to 2x Vezina Winner to Begin Tournament
Connor Hellebuyck has led the Winnipeg Jets success this season. The league leader in wins gets the nod to start between the pipes to open the Tournament for Team USA. With Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman also on the roster, choosing a starting goalie was not easy. However, Hellebuyck’s resume speaks for itself. He is the clear choice to open the Tournament.
The rest of the Team USA roster consists of many NHL stars. For the first time in their professional career, Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk will play on the same team. Jack Eichel takes his point-per-game play to Team USA, where he looks to more accolades alongside his 2023 Stanley Cup victory. Furthermore, former Hart winner and near 70-goal scorer, Auston Matthews, headlines the roster’s cast of stars. Team USA has a roster capable of winning the tournament, but they will have to get through Team Canada at some point, one would imagine.
Despite Down Year, Juuse Saros Gets the Nod for Finland
Despite a disappointing season for the Nashville Predators, Juuse Saros will start between the pipes for Finland. Playing in his tenth NHL season, Saros has a career 193-142-38 record with a .915 save percentage and 2.66 goals against average. While the season itself has not gone well for Saros, his resume does suggest he is someone Finland can turn to.
Finland’s roster is not as deep as the United States, but it still contains talent. It also includes four members of the Florida Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. Another former champion, Mikko Rantanen, has the most goals on the team with 26 goals. While Finland may not be the favourites in the tournament, the championship pedigree on the roster can help carry the team.
Prediction
Team USA has the deeper roster and the better goaltender. While Team Finland should not be overlooked, Team USA comes away with their first victory.
Team USA wins, 4-1.
Prop Bets
This may not be an NHL game, but do not think we are forgetting about the prop bets!
The over/under is set at 6.5 goals. We are taking the under with five total goals.
For Team Finland, we are going to take Aleksander Barkov as an anytime scorer. For Team USA, we are rolling with Tkachuk. Which one? Well, we are going with both Matthew and Brady to light the lamp for the United States. The Tkachuk family will continue to make hockey history.
Main Photo: Marc DesRosiers- Imagn Images
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