Marchand: 'Guys will be out for blood' at 4 Nations
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand expects the new 4 Nations Face-Off tournament to be very competitive.
"Guys will be out for blood," Marchand said Saturday, according to Postmedia's Lance Hornby. "It's not an exhibition match. Doesn't matter how quick it's thrown together. You want to make (Canada) and your team proud."
The 4 Nations Face-Off replaces the All-Star Game this season and will take place Feb. 12-20. Canada faces Sweden and the U.S. in Montreal before finishing the round-robin against Finland in Boston, where the final will also be played.
"It's a huge honor," Marchand added. "To be able to play in both Canada and in Boston is going to be special. You look at teams that are matched up against you, they're all stacked. You can pick out of a hat who could win that tournament. They're all incredible groups. Any time you get the best on best and you're playing for your country, there's extremely high expectations."
Marchand added: "It'll be nice not to get booed in Montreal."
Marchand was one of six initial players named to Canada's roster in the summer. The 36-year-old has 15 goals and 31 points in 40 games this season.
The Nova Scotia native has suited up for Canada four times, winning gold on each occasion. He was victorious at the 2007 and 2008 world juniors, the 2016 World Championship, and, most notably, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Canada and the other three competing nations named their full rosters in December.