Matthews in for 4 Nations final: 'No way I was missing this game'

Auston Matthews will play in Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between his United States and Canada, both he and U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Wednesday.

Matthews revealed the injury that forced him to miss Monday's meaningless loss to Sweden was a new one, but he has progressed since then and is ready to play in the decisive clash, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

"There's no way I was missing this game," the Toronto Maple Leafs captain said, per The Canadian Press' Joshua Clipperton.

Sullivan said Charlie McAvoy is Team USA's only player who's definitely out, according to LeBrun. McAvoy was ruled out of the final Tuesday, and his Boston Bruins later announced he underwent surgery to heal an infection resulting from a shoulder injury.

Matthew Tkachuk also missed Monday's game due to injury, but it was reported Tuesday that he and his brother Brady intend to play Thursday. The elder Tkachuk corroborated the report Wednesday.

"I'm ready to go," the Florida Panthers forward said, per The Athletic's Michael Russo. "It's going to be an incredible game, and I don't want to miss it."

Meanwhile, the younger Tkachuk sat out Wednesday's practice due to illness, but Sullivan expects the Ottawa Senators captain to play in the final. Tkachuk got hurt in Monday's defeat.

Matthew said his brother is "saving everything he has for (Thursday) night, and I'm very confident he'll be at his absolute best."

Quinn Hughes will not join Team USA despite Sullivan saying Tuesday that the reigning Norris Trophy winner was coming as a potential injury replacement. In addition to his own ailment, Hughes also couldn't play unless an additional player couldn't suit up.