Get the group chat ready!
Just the facts
When: Tonight, 8 PM -ish
Where: TD Garden — Boston, Mass.
How to follow: ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Head-to-head
USA
Zach Werenski: 0G, 5A, 5PTS; Jake Guentzel: 3G, 1A, 4PTS; Jack Eichel: 0G, 4A, 4PTS
Power play: 25%; penalty kill: 100%; GF 3.33; 1.33 GAA
Canada
Sidney Crosby: 1G, 4A, 5PTS, Connor McDavid: 2G, 2A, 4PTS, Nathan MacKinnon: 3G, 0A, 3PTS
Power play: 33.3%; penalty kill: 100%; GF: 3.33; 3.00 GAA
Game notes
- After two weeks, the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off is set for an epic conclusion as Team USA and Team Canada meet in the championship game tonight at TD Garden.
- Fireworks went off just seconds, literally, went the two met in the round-robin portion of the tournament with millions of people watching. Will there be more? Only the group chat likely knows.
- With all the chaos and unknowns with injuries and illnesses and technicalities in between, if one thing’s certain, players on both sides, who we know will be in the game, are ready and embracing the opportunity to represent their countries.
- “I think both teams are trying to impose themselves on the game and not give an inch,” Team USA and Massachusetts native Jack Eichel said. “It’s been a while since we’ve played this sort of format and represented our countries in a best-on-best tournament. Everyone wants to represent their countries as best as possible.”
- “When you are playing for your country, you do whatever it takes to win,” Team Canada forward Brad Marchand said. “It’s been an incredible experience.”
- For the Bruins’ captain, he’s relishing the opportunity to participate in a best-on-best tournament like this: “These moments are so few and far between,” Marchand said “You never know when you are going to get another one. The biggest thing I’ve learned throughout my career is you have to embrace every opportunity to enjoy the moment.”
- Media soundbite: Fellow Canada teammate Connor McDavid, who scored the opening goal between the two team last game, talked about his excitement to represent his country and expects it to be a “hostile environment” for Canada in the Boston arena. But he added how great it would be to involve0 more countries in a future tournament like this — “There’s some great players sitting at home,” McDavid told reporters at the TD Garden yesterday. “If we want it to be the biggest stage in the world, well then you need everybody involved.”
- Charlie McAvoy is out for Team USA. While his status for the game was released on Tuesday, the Boston Bruins divulged more yesterday saying he had an infection stemming from a shoulder injury sustained during the 4 Nations tournament.
- Marchand told media yesterday that he hadn’t planned on reaching out to any teammates during the tournament, but that changed when he found out about McAvoy.
- Tonight’s game also holds special significance for four members of Team USA, playing not only on U.S. soil to try to win this thing, but also as Massachusetts natives with the chance to win it at home. Jack Eichel, Matt Boldy, Noah Hanifin and Chris Kreider.
- Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson and New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce are reportedly in Boston on an emergency basis for Team USA, according to NHL.com.
- So, Team USA or Team Canada…who do you think will come out on top? Until we all find out tonight, let us know your thoughts on who has the edge!
- We’ll see you tonight in Boston!