BOSTON — In the recent 4 Nations Face-Off championship game, Matthew Tkachuk was unable to participate for the United States during the third period and in overtime against Canada, raising questions about the impact of his injury on his future return to the Florida Panthers when the NHL season resumes. Tkachuk suffered his injury during a previous match between the two teams and did not participate in the round-robin final against Sweden earlier this week. The coaching staff provided minimal details, only confirming that Tkachuk’s injury is classified as a lower-body issue.

Brady Tkachuk, Matthew’s brother and fellow U.S. player, expressed concern after the team’s narrow 3-2 defeat to Canada, which was sealed by Connor McDavid’s goal 8:18 into overtime. “He obviously battles through absolutely everything, and, yeah, I don’t think it’s too good,” he mentioned, indicating Matthew’s disappointment with the situation. Panthers general manager Bill Zito was involved in the U.S. management team during the NHL-run tournament. Zito traded for Tkachuk from Calgary in a significant deal in the summer of 2022, culminating in a Stanley Cup victory last season.

In goal for Canada, Jordan Binnington showcased an impressive performance by saving 31 out of 33 shots, including 20 consecutive stops following Jake Sanderson’s go-ahead goal. He also excelled during overtime, making six crucial saves. This game took place in the same venue where he contributed to St. Louis’s Stanley Cup victory over Boston in 2019, stopping 32 of 33 shots in a decisive Game 7. “They had a lot of good chances, and our goalie made some real big saves,” said Nathan MacKinnon, who was named tournament MVP. Binnington’s strong showing throughout the tournament has positioned him favorably for a potential spot in goal at the Milan Olympics next year.

Among the spectators was Charlie McAvoy, who was a standout player for the U.S. in earlier tournament games, delivering significant hits against star players like McDavid and Sidney Crosby. However, he was unable to play in the final due to a shoulder injury that became infected, leading to hospitalization. While unable to compete, McAvoy supported his team from the stands, earning a warm reception from the local crowd when he appeared on the video screen during the game’s third period.

Jake Sanderson, who originally was not part of the U.S. squad, joined the team only last weekend as a replacement for Quinn Hughes, the reigning Norris Trophy-winning defenseman. Sanderson hadn’t played until McAvoy’s injury opened the door for him, and he made an impact by scoring in the championship match. “Whether I was playing or not, just be positive, and if I was in, just keep it simple and use my feet,” Sanderson remarked during an ESPN intermission interview. He expressed his gratitude for the team’s efforts in getting the puck to the net, saying, “I kind of just blacked out. Great play from the guys.”