Colorado Avalanche superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are set to spearhead Team Canada’s charge against Team USA in what promises to be the marquee showdown of the 4 Nations Face-Off. The highly anticipated clash is set for Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Canada heads into the matchup riding high after a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against Sweden in their tournament opener. MacKinnon wasted no time making an impact, striking first with a power-play goal in the opening period.
Meanwhile, Team USA enters the battle fresh off a dominant 6-1 dismantling of Finland. Though the scoreline suggests a blowout, the game remained competitive through two periods before the Americans erupted for four third-period goals to seal the win.
These results set the stage for a must-watch encounter between two powerhouse teams. Both rosters boast elite offensive firepower, but the key factor could come down to goaltending and defensive play. MacKinnon and Makar will face a formidable challenge in trying to solve all-world netminder Connor Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck, in particular, has been a nightmare for the Avalanche this season. The star goaltender has dominated Colorado in their recent meetings, winning his last three matchups against them, including two shutouts one on November 7, 2024, and another on January 11, 2025.
Now, MacKinnon and Makar will have the chance to settle the score on the international stage as they attempt to crack Hellebuyck and propel Canada to the top of the 4 Nations Face-Off standings. With a potential rematch looming in the final, this showdown could be just the beginning of an epic tournament rivalry.
Lehkonen Looks to Spark Finland’s Comeback Against Sweden
Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen is also in action at the 4 Nations Face-Off, representing Team Finland. However, his tournament debut didn’t go as planned, as the Finns suffered a crushing 6-1 defeat at the hands of Team USA.
Now, Lehkonen will look to lead Finland in a crucial matchup against Sweden in Saturday’s early game. The Finns must come out strong if they hope to shift momentum in their favor. A loss would likely leave them at the bottom of the tournament standings, making a turnaround in Boston even more difficult.
Despite the lopsided scoreline in Finland’s opener, Lehkonen put in a solid performance, logging over 16 minutes on the ice across 20 shifts. He fired four shots on goal but, like many others, failed to solve the Avalanche’s nemesis Connor Hellebuyck.
With a fresh challenge ahead, Lehkonen and the Finns aim to bounce back by striking early against Sweden. Expect a fierce battle, with Lehkonen determined to showcase why he remains one of Finland’s most reliable offensive threats.
