USA outlasts Canada, earns berth in 4 Nations title game

Dylan Larkin scored the go-ahead goal in the second period as the United States defeated Canada 3-1 in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off on Saturday night at Bell Centre. With the victory, Team USA secured a place in the championship game, outmatching their rivals in a fast-paced, physical showdown that featured three fights in the opening nine seconds.

The highly anticipated round-robin clash lived up to its billing, with early brawls, bone-rattling hits, and key saves. U.S. defenseman Charlie McAvoy delivered two major hits on Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck turned away 25 of 26 shots to anchor the American defense. The victory also underscored Team USA’s ability to match Canada’s renowned speed and skill in the first major international tournament featuring NHL players in nearly a decade.

Canada struck first just over five minutes into the game when Connor McDavid blew past the American defense and lifted a backhand shot over Hellebuyck. However, Team USA responded quickly, as Jake Guentzel beat Canadian netminder Jordan Binnington five-hole midway through the first period to tie the game at 1-1.

Midway through the second period, Canada’s captain Sidney Crosby committed an uncharacteristic turnover, which, combined with a miscalculated line change, led to a 2-on-1 rush. Larkin capitalized, firing a shot past Binnington to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead at 33:33.

Despite Canada pushing for an equalizer in the third period, Hellebuyck stood firm. With Binnington pulled for an extra attacker, Guentzel sealed the victory with his second goal of the night, firing into an empty net with just 1:19 remaining.

The game’s physical intensity was evident from the opening puck drop. Within the first nine seconds, three separate fights broke out, setting the tone for a heated contest. Players on both sides racked up penalty minutes, including J.T. Miller (7 PIM) and the Tkachuk brothers, Brady and Matthew (5 PIM each) for the U.S., while Sam Bennett (5 PIM) and Colton Parayko (5 PIM) led the way for Canada.

Hellebuyck’s stellar performance was another key storyline, as he recorded a .961 save percentage, stopping 25 of 26 shots. On the other end, Binnington turned away 20 of 22 shots but was ultimately outdueled by the American goaltender.

With this win, the United States secured their place in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, rendering their upcoming game against Sweden in Boston a mere formality. Coach Sullivan may opt to rest some key players, including Hellebuyck, ahead of the championship showdown later in the week. Jake Oettinger or Jeremy Swayman could see time in net for the Americans in the final round-robin game.

Meanwhile, Canada now faces a must-win situation against Finland on Monday at TD Garden. With an all-world roster featuring McDavid, Crosby, and Nathan MacKinnon, the Canadians will need a bounce-back performance to keep their tournament hopes alive.

The U.S. now awaits their opponent in the final, with a chance to claim the inaugural NHL 4 Nations Face-Off championship later in the week.

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