BOSTON — Nathan MacKinnon tallied two goals, Connor McDavid contributed a goal and an assist, while Sidney Crosby sealed the game with an empty-net score from center ice, as Finland narrowed a four-goal deficit to just one in the final moments.
In the opening matchup of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday, Canada’s top players delivered when it mattered, resulting in a rematch against the United States in the tournament’s final. Following a 5-3 win over Finland, Crosby highlighted the importance of key players stepping up in pivotal moments, reflecting on their experience in high-stakes games.
The rematch between Canada and the United States is set for Thursday night, following their intense encounter last week in Montreal, which was marked by three fights and concluded with a 3-1 victory for the Americans. This game promises to ignite the fierce rivalry, with Canadian forward Brad Marchand, who is also the captain of the Boston Bruins, ready to hit the ice as an opponent. Fans in recent games have been urged to maintain composure during the opponents’ national anthem.
“There’s a lot of excitement about facing them again,” Marchand said from the visitor’s locker room, in a venue he has called home for many seasons. “The rivalry between Canada and the U.S. is the biggest in hockey, and I believe this matchup is one everyone wanted to see,” he added. “It’s going to be an intense matchup, and we’re all eager for it.”
Goalie Jordan Binnington made 23 saves on the same ice where he celebrated the 2019 Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues. Brayden Point added another goal, and Sam Reinhart was instrumental with three assists, as Canada surged to a commanding 4-0 lead within the first half of the game.
This tournament marks the NHL’s return to international play following its absence from the 2018 and 2022 Olympics. The thrilling matchup between the U.S. and Canada last week occurred against the backdrop of tense political relations, which have been exacerbated by remarks from President Donald Trump regarding tariffs and hypothetical scenarios of integrating Canada as the U.S.’s 51st state.
In a separate match on Monday, the United States fell to Sweden by a score of 2-1. However, the result held little significance since Canada secured their position in the final. The Americans had previously triumphed in both of their round-robin games, clinching the top seed in their group.
Following the heated action in Montreal last week, the atmosphere in Monday’s game began with merely lukewarm booing during the Canadian national anthem, reflecting a subdued intensity more fitting of a midseason NHL game. However, Finland soon gained momentum.
Esa Lindell found the net with seven minutes remaining, reducing the deficit to 4-1, while Mikael Granlund netted two goals in quick succession during the final seconds of the match, as Finland played with an empty net. Crosby then ensured the win for Canada by scoring from the center ice, preventing any further drama.
“Though we rallied late and nearly leveled the score, it just wasn’t our day,” Finnish forward Aleksander Barkov stated. “Coming back from a 4-0 deficit against perhaps the top team in the world is challenging. We showed some resilience at the end, but we could have performed better in the other phases of the game.”
MacKinnon kickstarted the scoring for Canada just four minutes in, followed by McDavid’s effort within the next minute. The Finns quickly called a timeout, seeking to regain their composure within the first five minutes of play as Point extended the lead to 3-0 towards the end of the first period. MacKinnon then pushed the advantage to 4-0 five minutes into the second.
Finnish goalie Kevin Lankinen had a rough outing, saving just 5 of 9 shots before being replaced by Juuse Saros, who made 14 saves thereafter. Binnington had an impressive start, denying the first 19 Finnish shots until Lindell broke through, ending Binnington’s hope for a shutout. With Saros pulled and an extra attacker on the ice, Granlund’s two goals brought the score to 4-3, heightening the tension as the game reached its conclusion.
