NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 18, 2025
Canada defeats Finland while Sweden upsets an injury-battered Team USA in the final round-robin games in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Check out the recaps of Monday’s games and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
4 NATIONS FACE-OFF RECAPS
NHL.COM: Canada held off Finland 5-3 in 4 Nations Face-Off action on Monday at Boston’s TD Garden, setting up a showdown with the United States in the championship game on Thursday.
Team Canada forward Nathan MacKinnon (NHL.com).
Nathan MacKinnon tallied two goals, Sam Reinhart collected three assists, and Connor McDavid, Brayden Point and Sidney Crosby also scored for Canada.
The Canadians rolled to a 3-0 lead in the first period, expanding it to 4-0 in the second period. Finland made it interesting late in the third period as Esa Lindell got them on the board and Mikael Granlund scored twice to cut Canada’s lead to 4-3. However, Crosby put the game away with an empty-netter after a center-ice collision with Granlund led to a turnover.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canada’s biggest stars – McDavid, MacKinnon and Crosby – stepped up as expected in this elimination game. They had more room to create plays in this game than they did against the United States on Saturday. The Canadians also got a boost on the blueline with defenseman Cale Makar returning to action after missing Saturday’s game.
Jordan Binnington made 23 saves as he got the call again as Canada’s starter. He was solid through most of the game but those three late goals have critics again questioning head coach Jon Cooper’s decision to stick with him.
The Canadian national anthem received tepid booing from the TD Garden crowd.
Granlund should be considered the player of the tournament for Finland. He led his club with three goals and an assist for four points, sitting third among the tournament’s leading scorers. Crosby and Team USA’s Zach Werenski are tied for the lead with five points each.
Sweden overcame an early 1-0 deficit to nip the United States 2-1. Chris Kreider opened the scoring for the Americans 35 seconds into the first period but Gustav Nyquist and Jesper Bratt replied for the Swedes, who were playing for pride after being officially eliminated by Canada’s regulation win earlier in the day. Samuel Ersson stopped 32 shots for Sweden while Jake Oettinger made 21 saves for the Americans.
SPORTSNET: Team USA defenseman Charlie McAvoy missed this game after being hospitalized with an upper-body injury, raising doubt over his availability for Thursday’s championship game with Canada. American winger Brady Tkachuk exited the game for precautionary reasons with an apparent leg injury after crashing into the Swedish net.
Brady’s brother Matthew missed this game with a lower-body injury while team captain Auston Matthews was a late scratch with upper-body soreness.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Team USA coach Mike Sullivan said more details about their conditions would be revealed on Tuesday. McAvoy’s injury sounds the more serious while the other three are expected to play against Canada on Thursday.
The Americans clinched their berth in the championship game on Saturday so they did the sensible thing by sitting out Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk. There was no point in potentially aggravating their injuries in a meaningless game.
IN OTHER NEWS…
RG.ORG: Former NHL defenseman Darius Kasparaitis has been working out with Alex Ovechkin in Miami during the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The 39-year-old Washington Capitals captain is preparing for the final stretch of the regular season.
Ovechkin needs 16 goals to break Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894. With his Capitals in first place in the Eastern Conference, he’s also setting his sights on chasing the Stanley Cup this spring.
Kasparaitis said Ovechkin is in a good mood and isn’t concerned about chasing records. “It seems like he does not feel any pressure from the need to break Gretzky’s record, he just plays as he has played his whole life.”
THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks return to practice on Tuesday, which could reveal where defenseman Quinn Hughes (oblique injury) and goaltender Thatcher Demko (left knee) stand with their rehab. They need both players healthy to stage a run for a playoff spot down the stretch.
ROTOWIRE: The Seattle Kraken recalled winger Jordan Eberle (pelvis) from his conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley. He saw no playing time with them and remains on long-term injury reserve.
Will this booing of National Anthems ( Canada/American ) continue back into the regular season and if so will it affect players wanting to be traded … American born players wanting to be traded away from Canadian teams and Canada born players away from American teams ….
Doubt that very much. Why, do you ask? It’s a really dumb or childish move.
I would hope most American players would know why their anthem is being booed. They might like the fact that it’s being booed but they should know why.
As a fan rather than boo their national anthem just don’t sing any part of it and then sing ours with pride.
Also the women who sang our national anthem in Boston may have done one of the worse jobs ever; you wonder if it was intentional.
After reading all the pros and cons this week about this tournament being conducted in the middle of a season, the one thing that does concern me is the mood/attitude of NHL teammates suddenly thrust back together for the final weeks of the season after hammering each other in emotionally-charged nationalistic competition.
I mean, while I agree that this type of competition is infinitely superior to the happy-go-lucky, last goal wins all star crap, preceded by a week of fun skills competitions where the hardest contact probably comes from accidentally bumping into a door-frame on the way out of the dressing room, it’s still going to be an emotional letdown once they go back to the grind.
I don’t know … maybe I’m reading it wrong … but that’s just the uneasy feeling I get. Nor can team owners, managers and coaches be happy seeing their best players suddenly sitting out following injuries as they head back to the playoff chase.
They do jump right back into their seasons right after this tournament but in most cases it’s only one or two (of your best) players outta the 23 so most teams should be good but others it will make a difference in the final results.
Honestly it should ratchet up the pressure to win for every team. Should be a down to the wire finish for many lucky fans.
George,
These guys are thoroughbreds who are hurt more by the complacency and friendship of soft all-star games than by hard competition.
Suiting up with your teammates turns the page to standing together against te rest.
Your concerns stand for World Cup and Olympic hockey, to an even greater degree.
The booing will continue on account of patriotism and feeling under attack by the American prime minister, it has nothing to do with the players themselves.
HF30, agree that the booing has nothing to do with the players from the fans perspective. Might have got the Tkachuk boys a little fired up though.
Hagel made an interesting comment after the game that he heard the US might try something like that from the get go, and that discussion was well before the anthems were sung. Take the Canadian away from the Canadians, was the theory. Who knows, we’ll likely never know. Great to see guys like Hagel and Bennett who were at a weight disadvantage not back down from either Tkachuk.
Parayko isn’t known as a scrapper, but he was really calm and effective when dealing it to Miller, who started that one too.
George, might be a natural emotional let down for a game or 2. But would think these guys can kick it back into high gear pretty quick. As for battling the team mates, no biggie, it was expected.
I can see some of the owners being a little concerned if the injuries are longer term and their team is fighting for a playoff spot. But this tournament is generating a buzz, and would think $$.
McAvoy being hospitalized was concerning but turns out it was an infection from a minor injury, so nothing to do with the tourney. He has played great for the US.
Must see TV on Thursday.
Let s celebrate the best players in the world on the biggest stage!Hockey players have short memories ,they will integrate quickly with their teammates this weekend and go on with the quest for the cup!The last third of the season should be awesome with the race for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference and positioning in the west!
Binnington played a solid game – for 58 minutes. You can’t necessarily blame him for the two late goals. Canada’s D let up a bit too much near the end of the game. But a top goalie is there to make the difficult saves. Let’s hope he steps up to the challenge on Thursday night.
If it is indeed true that Logan Thompson was left off the team at the insistence of Cassidy and Deboer, the two coaches better hope that Binnington doesn’t cost Canada the tournament. Because if he does, they’ll be less popular in Canada than Trump. Canada would then have to put tariffs on the city of Las Vegas. Good thing for the US that the only thing Las Vegas produces is sin.
Las Vegas also produces Stanley Cup Champions!
True that Shawn, and great restaurants. I luv Vegas, but root against the Knights, but that is because I live in Edmonton and nothing to do with the city.
You’ve added an extra “s”. They’ve produced one.
But we’d let the Cup in free of tariffs,
GMs get to see the measure of their own and other teams when considering potential trades, contract evaluations.
I can eat my hat with regards to Elias Pettersson, who was invisible.
Some other high priced talent looked pretty ordinary and they didn’t use the ice time to increase their value.
Do not discount the adjustment needed by players who are the go to guys on their team and find themselves on the third and forth lines. And the adjustment needed when playing with new line mates.
In a short tournament it isn’t the team with the best players that wins, it’s the one who best comes together.
Habfan30, 2 players that come to mind for me are your friends in Toronto! That is Marner and Nylander!Their lack of success in the playoffs is showing up here in the 4 Nations Tournament!
Marner did score the OT winner against Sweden. But you’re right, he’s been invisible since.
Thank you Howard for agreeing with our clear eyes on Marner!
Please remember Marner had the big goal at 3 on 3 . That will not happen in playoffs .
Now demoted to the third line in an elimination game means something even on team Canada .
Pretty tough competition for the top 6 Swany, not a slight IMO. Marner and McDavid together really never made sense as they both like to transport the puck, and there’s only one of those.
Stone and Point are a way better fit from that perspective. He could get his shot back into the top 6 on Thursday if Canada falls behind and isn’t generating chances after a period.
Sr,
Far be it from me to “defend” TML players but Marner scored a big goal and Nylander had a few assists.
There are many who delivered goose eggs you could have pointed to.
There are a few of us Hab, TML and Sen fans here who feel the rivalry but for the most part we look at players with what we feel are clear eyes to promote opinions not attempts at trolling.
We cannot under any circumstances, underestimate the Canadians Thursday.
Shoot shoot shoot on Binnington
I had said yesterday (pre-games) that a regulation Win by Canada; followed by a regulation loss by us would have meant that we were just two Binnington softies (in our match vs Canada) away from being OUT of Thursday’s game.
It was actually only 1 Binnington softie away. If that game had gone to OT; regardless of outcome;it would have resulted (now with yesterday’s results) in a Sweden/Canada final (Canada would be 1st with at least 6 points; and at best (us with an OT win over Canada) we’d be tied in points with Sweden @ 5; and tue-breaker is head to head).
Binnington has let in at least one softie in all 3 games.
No multiple passes and waiting for clear lanes.
SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT
and then
SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT
thank you Cassidy and DeBoer
We sometimes disagree 8787, but agree 100% on that post.
Thursday game will be tight as well. Is the OT format the same for the final?
Should play 10 minutes at 5 on 5, before going to 3 on 3 IMO.
Noted Ray
Not sure what the OT format is. My guess is sudden death , nyet nyet to shootout.
But if it does somehow go to a shootout; even though McDavid and MacKinnon will be full tilt, I really like Helleybuck’s chances of stopping at least one more than Binnington!
Respectfully I offer you a heartfelt “Good Luck”
But… that Good Luck ends at puck drop LOL
Just kidding
Should be one hell of a game.
I am American, I am a Sidney Crosby fan, I’m tired of the Anthem s**t, and I’m tired of the Hanson brothers act….they got wopped, Canada won two of the three fights if not all three. Hagel and Paraynko definitley won.
Lets hope they stick to good clean hard hockey !!
Agree