Finland's underdog status doesn't faze Laine: 'We're always doubted'
For Finland forward Patrik Laine, being labeled the underdogs at the 4 Nations Face-Off is nothing new for his country on the international stage.
"I feel like we're always doubted," the Montreal Canadiens sniper said. "I don't think anybody in that locker room really cares what you guys are saying. We know what we can do out there, and nothing better than proving people wrong. We like to do that, so I think we're happy where we're at."
Finland begins play Thursday night in Montreal against the Americans, who many consider the favorites to win the tournament.
Though the Finns are in for a tough fight, Laine hopes they'll have the support of the Bell Centre crowd. Fans heartily booed Toronto Maple Leafs and Team USA captain Auston Matthews when he took to the ice during the opening ceremony on Wednesday, which didn't surprise Laine at all.
"Yeah, of course, that's how it goes here," Laine said. "I'm pretty confident they'll be on our side. ... I'm not too worried about it."
U.S. defenseman Charlie McAvoy agreed with Laine and isn't expecting a warm welcome for his team in Montreal.
"I played here in (the 2017 world juniors), I've played here twice a year since I've been in (the league) in Montreal," the Boston Bruins rearguard said. "It's a hostile rink. They don't like us. I can't say I've ever been here and been cheered for. It's always like that."
"It kinda feels like us against the world and that's fine by me," McAvoy added, per TSN's Mark Masters.
Laine, meanwhile, is hopeful Finland can rebound from its eighth-place finish at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. The 26-year-old was held without a point in three appearances at that event.
"It'll be a fun night for sure. We've all been expecting and waiting for this for a while now," he said. "The last time we had best-on-best it definitely didn't go so well for us. I think we all kind of want to change that and have a better tournament.
"Just gotta fire up the crowd early."
Laine has had no problem bringing the Bell Centre to its feet in his first season as a Hab. He scored in his season debut - which was delayed until early December because of a knee injury - and has racked up 12 goals and 18 points in 28 outings.