MONTREAL — For Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins, playing at the Bell Centre is a familiar experience, especially when it involves facing off against his traditional rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.
“This isn’t new territory for me,” McAvoy remarked. “You definitely don’t get a warm welcome here.”
However, the stakes are significantly heightened as he and Team USA prepare to battle against Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off, marking the first international clash featuring NHL players in nearly a decade. The atmosphere promises to be electric from warmups onward, with all eyes on this clash.
“There’s nothing quite like a Saturday night in Canada, facing off against Canada,” said U.S. winger Jake Guentzel. “The intensity of the crowd will be palpable; it’s bound to be a thrilling experience.”
This matchup showcases a dazzling array of talent, pitting Canadian stars like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon against American powerhouses such as Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, Jack Eichel, and Auston Matthews. With Canada having triumphed in the last two Olympics where NHL players participated, the 4 Nations serves as a crucial opportunity for the U.S. to demonstrate that it is now a formidable contender on the global stage in hockey competitions.
Brady Tkachuk, who made a significant impact by registering two goals and eight hits in a dominant 6-1 victory over Finland, referred to this upcoming game as the pinnacle of his career thus far. Coach Mike Sullivan, while minimizing the idea that the U.S. has something to prove, noted that his players are “eager to earn their place.”
“The beauty of our sport is that nothing comes easy,” Sullivan continued. “It’s about earning every shift, every game, and every year. This team is different from those in the past, and Canada has evolved too. We need to go out there and earn our success.”
Throughout the past 15 years, Canada has consistently been a powerhouse whenever Crosby adorns the red and white, securing 26 consecutive wins while he is on the ice. This impressive streak includes Crosby’s historic golden goal that defeated the U.S. during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
For McDavid, this memory resonates deeply and he views the match as a chance to leave his mark on the rivalry.
“This is a significant game,” McDavid stated after practice in Brossard, Quebec. “Competing against the Americans in Montreal during a best-on-best tournament is the stuff of dreams.”
The Tkachuk brothers are known for being a challenging matchup, and the U.S. demonstrated its physicality in the recent win over Finland where Brady led the effort with eight of the team’s 32 hits.
“He was all over the ice,” Matthew remarked. “It may have seemed like eight hits, but it felt like 28. He definitely made his presence felt.”
Canada, too, has showcased its prowess, dominating Sweden recently with sheer speed and talent, highlighted by a power-play goal featuring McDavid, Crosby, and MacKinnon within just a minute of play. As both Canada and the U.S. arrived at the 4 Nations viewed as co-favorites, the anticipation for Saturday night’s encounter is palpable.
Moreover, the U.S. has a chance to secure a place in the finals set for Thursday in Boston, but the players are concentrating solely on the challenge posed by Canada.
“This game has been the one we’ve been looking forward to,” U.S. defenseman Noah Hanifin remarked. “Canada has an exceptionally skilled team. Watching their fast-paced game against Sweden the other night showcased their talent. We have a lot to offer too, and it’s going to be an exciting match-up.”
Canadian defenseman Drew Doughty has been part of many of these rivalries over the years, including the demanding semifinal in Sochi in 2014 when Canada went on to secure gold. His enthusiasm remains intact.
“From a young age, playing against American teams ignites a fierce competitive spirit,” Doughty shared. “Even at 35 years old, that desire to outplay the Americans is just as strong.”
The atmosphere off the ice has the potential for additional tension, especially given recent political events and the climate under former U.S. President Donald Trump, which included threats of tariffs against Canada among other nations. A subset of fans displayed their sentiments by booing “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the game against Finland, and this discontent could swell in an arena filled with over 20,000 spectators when Canada takes the ice.
McAvoy recalls a similar level of hostility from playing in the World Junior final in Montreal in 2017 when the U.S. team was roundly jeered throughout the night.
“The American fan presence was nearly non-existent,” he reflected. “My family was there, but it felt exclusively Canadian in the stands, and it was loud and intense. This rink feels familiar to me; it’s going to be an electrifying atmosphere.”
