How Canada, Finland, Sweden can make 4 Nations final
No team is eliminated from the 4 Nations Face-Off with one gameday to go in the round robin.
The United States booked its ticket to the final and clinched the top seed with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Canada on Saturday. The other three nations are tied with two points each and have lots on the line Monday.
Here's how each of Canada, Finland, and Sweden can make it through to the final:
Canada ๐จ๐ฆ
- Scenario No. 1: Win in regulation vs. Finland
- Scenario No. 2: Win in overtime vs. Finland, Sweden doesn't win in regulation vs. USA
Canada controls its own destiny.
It's not quite a win-and-in situation for Canada, but it's close. The three-point system implemented at the 4 Nations is key, as Canada is through to the final with a three-point regulation win against Finland but won't immediately clinch with a two-point overtime win.
The importance of regulation wins becomes clear here. Canada has one overtime win, and a second opens the door for Sweden to squeak through. The three-point system would see one-win Sweden advance over two-overtime-win Canada if Sweden's victory comes in regulation.
That being said, Canada can keep it simple. Win in regulation, and we've got USA-Canada II.
Finland ๐ซ๐ฎ
- Scenario No. 1: Win in regulation vs. Canada
- Scenario No. 2: Win in overtime vs. Canada, Sweden doesn't win in regulation vs. USA
Finland's route to the final is the exact same as Canada's. Both teams lost in regulation to the Americans and beat Sweden in overtime, giving the two nations identical paths to the final.
The U.S. trounced Finland 6-1 on Thursday, but the pesky Finns rebounded with a clutch overtime win Saturday to not only keep their hopes alive but secure the tiebreaker over Sweden.
Just like Canada, a two-overtime-win Finnish team would fail to advance if Sweden can knock off the U.S. in regulation.
Sweden ๐ธ๐ช
- Only scenario: Win in regulation vs. USA, Canada-Finland goes to overtime
Two narrow overtime losses against Canada and Finland leave Sweden needing help. The Swedes will know if they have a chance to play for the title by the end of Canada-Finland, which is Monday's matinee. USA-Sweden is in the prime-time slot as the tournament shifts to Boston.
The winner of Canada-Finland doesn't matter to Sweden, which only has a chance to reach the final if that game goes to overtime. If it does, then Sweden must beat the Americans in regulation. An OT win does Sweden no good.