6 compelling storylines at 4 Nations Face-Off
Best-on-best men's hockey is nearly upon us.
It's been a long wait of more than eight years since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and the return of an NHL international event brings a whole host of storylines to follow.
Here are six of the most compelling at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
USA looks to end 29-year drought
The United States enters the 4 Nations as the betting favorite, but it's been a long time since the nation has triumphed at a men's best-on-best tournament.
The 1996 World Cup of Hockey is the nation's lone title with NHL players. The Americans have come close since, claiming silver at the 2002 and 2010 Olympics. (They also finished second at the 1991 Canada Cup.)
It's a brand-new era for the States, as not a single player from the 2016 World Cup of Hockey squad is on this team. This group is easily the most talented in the country's history, with a truly intriguing mix of skill and grit, plus the best goaltender in hockey right now in Connor Hellebuyck.
A best-on-best title combined with back-to-back championships at the world juniors would be a huge statement for U.S. hockey.
Crosby passing torch to McDavid
Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid will share the ice for the first time as teammates Wednesday.
Crosby hasn't donned the maple leaf in more than eight years, and it's been nearly seven for McDavid. It's been far too long for both superstars, and it's almost unfathomable that the two are first starring alongside each other for Canada 10 seasons into McDavid's career.
There was no doubt that Crosby would captain Canada. But a McDavid captaincy is certainly in the cards at next year's Milan Olympics, with the 4 Nations potentially serving as a passing of the torch for the two generation-defining stars.
How will Canada navigate goaltending crisis?
What a difference eight years makes. Canada's goaltending has gone from a significant strength on the back of prime Carey Price to one of the tournament's biggest question marks.
Two Canadian goaltenders, Logan Thompson and Mackenzie Blackwood, are in great form. The issue is neither was selected in December.
The trio Canada's staff did select - Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault - have underwhelmed this season.
| Goaltender | Team | GP | Record | SV% | GSAx |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binnington | Blues | 39 | 15-19-4 | .896 | -0.49 |
| Hill | Golden Knights | 34 | 20-10-4 | .900 | 7.96 |
| Montembeault | Canadiens | 42 | 18-20-3 | .897 | 11.33 |
Goaltending is always a wild card. As questionable as Canada's options look on paper, one of them could easily run the table and exit the short tournament with a stellar save percentage.
However, it's more likely to spoil the tournament for a splendid group of forwards and defensemen.
Sweden's struggling stars search for spark
It's been an underwhelming campaign for multiple stars on Sweden's roster. The 4 Nations offers a chance to reset.
Elias Pettersson, Mika Zibanejad, and Elias Lindholm haven't hit the heights we typically expect of them. Pettersson and Zibanejad have found themselves in trade rumors, while Lindholm has been a dud as the Boston Bruins' first-line center.
Sweden needs each to step up if it's to make noise in this short tournament.
Can Finland's depleted defense survive?
Miro Heiskanen was set to be the single most valuable player at the 4 Nations. By far Finland's best defenseman, it looked as if Heiskanen was going to play upward of 30 minutes per game.
His absence because of injury is a significant blow to what was already an underdog Finnish squad. It was only made worse Sunday when Rasmus Ristolainen was forced to withdraw. Finland's back end is easily the weakest positional group at the tournament.
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Niko Mikkola | Esa Lindell |
| Olli Maatta | Henri Jokiharju |
| Urho Vaakanainen | Juuso Valimaki |
The group lacks puck-moving ability and has no legitimate go-to option offensively. Esa Lindell is the only defenseman on the roster with a point on the man advantage this season, and it's just one point.
That being said, never count out Finland on the international stage.
How will 4 Nations shape international hockey?
The 4 Nations is hopefully the first in a consistent schedule of international hockey tournaments going forward. Ensuring Olympic participation for years to come is a must, but the NHL wants a piece of the pie, too.
An NHL-run biennial competition would be a welcome addition to the hockey calendar, and the success of the 4 Nations will likely dictate what that future holds. Fan interest, player withdrawals and injuries, and more will factor into the overall success of this first tournament.
It's inexcusable that the NHL hasn't participated in an international event in more than eight years. It's a great sign we have the 4 Nations and will see NHL players at the 2026 Olympics, but it's something that must continue into the 2030s.