NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 21, 2025
Canada defeated the United States in overtime to win the 4 Nations Face-Off. Check out the details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Connor McDavid scored at 8:18 of overtime as Canada defeated the United States 3-2 to win the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Team Canada center Connor McDavid celebrates his winning goal in the 4 Nations Face-Off (NHL.com).
Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett scored in regulation while Mitch Marner assisted on Bennett’s game-tying goal and McDavid’s OT winner. Jordan Binnington made 31 saves, including six in overtime, twice thwarting Team USA captain Auston Matthews on point-blank scoring chances.
Matthews finished with two assists, Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson scored, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 24 shots for the United States.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid’s goal occurred because Matthews left him uncovered in the slot. Marner quickly fired a pass to the Edmonton Oilers superstar, who beat Hellebuyck high to the glove side.
On Bennett’s goal, Marner drew two defenders toward him as he entered the American zone, leaving the Florida Panthers forward open to snipe a top-shelf shot over Hellebuyck’s right shoulder.
All three Canadian goals were the result of shooting high on Hellebuyck. MacKinnon beat him on the stick side with a deflected shot through traffic to open the scoring.
MacKinnon was named tournament MVP, leading all scorers with four goals. Team USA defenseman Zach Werenski led the tournament with six points, followed by McDavid and Canadian captain Sidney Crosby with five points each.
Crosby joined Wayne Gretzky as the second player to captain two championship teams in NHL international tournament play. He also captained Canada to gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some pundits believe this game was the passing of the leadership torch from Crosby to McDavid. The Oilers captain dismissed that notion, predicting Crosby would be leading Canada’s Olympic team next February.
THE ATHLETIC: Binnington silenced his doubters with his performance in this game, particularly in overtime. “He saved his best for last,” said Canadian head coach Jon Cooper. “That’s what winners do, and there wasn’t a chance I was not going to back the winner.”
Binnington was the only goalie play to every game for his country in this tournament.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington had plenty of doubters (myself included) going into this tournament. He rose to the occasion and came through when Team Canada needed him most.
TSN: Canadian defenseman Josh Morrissey missed this game due to illness. He was replaced by Thomas Harley, who saw nearly 22 minutes of ice time and had the primary assist on MacKinnon’s game-opening goal.
SPORTSNET: Team USA defenseman Charlie McAvoy was released from hospital on Thursday following a procedure to treat an infection stemming from an upper-body injury suffered earlier in the tournament.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: An emotional McAvoy read out the starting lineup for his teammates in their dressing room before the game and was in attendance cheering them on.
THE SCORE: Winger Kyle Connor was a healthy scratch from this game, replaced by Chris Kreider. Connor leads all Americans in NHL scoring this season with 30 goals in 56 games but was held to one assist and one shot in three games in this tournament.
Canadian winger Mark Stone said he and his teammates felt the energy of their countrymen in this game. “Yeah, we wanted this one,” he said. “Forty million Canadians sitting at home, you feel that energy rooting us on. The pride we have to play for our country every time we get (the chance to wear) the flag on our chest, it’s a special feeling.”
Head coach Jon Cooper shared Stone’s sentiment. “I just hope Canada’s proud, because every player in that room is proud to be a Canadian,” he said. “Did we need a win? Not only our team, but Canada needed a win. And the players (carried) that on their shoulders and they took it seriously.”
DAILY FACEOFF: Canadian winger Brad Marchand shared his thoughts on American forwards Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, who took several verbal shots at Team Canada through the 4 Nations Face-Off.
“Sometimes when you shoot your mouth off in the media, it bites you,” said Marchand after the game. “You can do that during the season, but when it’s best-on-best, it’s different. They got a little ahead of themselves, but they’re great players. There’s not many guys who can do what they can do, and they’re very effective.”
“But when you start giving teams ammo, it can work against you as well,” he said. “They’re going to have long, great careers, and I think we saw how effective they can be at every level.”
ESPN.COM: Several United States players believe this tournament sent a message that Team USA has arrived and they’re just as good as Canada.
“I think I’d say it’s a pretty even playing field in my opinion,” said Auston Matthews. “It could have gone either way.” Zach Werenski shared that view. “We’ve proved tonight and to everyone that we’re right there with Canada,” he said. “It’s anyone’s game.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The United States has made tremendous strides over the past 25 years. In my opinion, their development program is the best in the world, tying them with Canada for the most World Junior Championships (five) since 2013, including their back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025.
Canada can justifiably savor this 4 Nations victory but they cannot take it for granted. A determined American team will be ready them at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
IN OTHER NEWS…
LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL: Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon provided an update on Shea Theodore. The Golden Knights defenseman suffered an upper-body injury during Canada’s opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Theodore is listed as week-to-week. McCrimmon indicated the blueliner could meet with the team’s medical staff this weekend to determine how long he’ll be sidelined.
CALGARY SUN: The Flames placed little-used defenseman Tyson Barrie on waivers. He’s appeared in only 13 games this season.
NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders placed defenseman Dennis Cholowski on waivers to free up a roster spot for the returning Ryan Pulock.
Firstly I’d like to say that I was wrong. I’ve been heckling Binnington and was blatantly counting on him to hand us the win.
He did a fantastic job last night and made several great saves. Zero chance on the Tkachuck goal that was deflected up and over him by a Canadian D-man. No deflection; no goal.
Maybe he could have been positioned better on the Sanderson goal but it did go through a load of traffic.
So, I’m eating crow on my previous lambasting of Binnington.
Now that aside; although I’m sad about the loss, I was very entertained. This could have gone either way. I’m glad (as I believe both teams are) that the winner was not a garbage goal or that it had any controversy. It was a very nice set up and shot. Credit where credit is due.
Am I pissed that the too many men wasn’t called. Yep
But the refs had put the whistles away the whole game. Trocheck’s HAD to be called. But there were other blatant infractions for both teams, that were not called. On one play where we didn’t have possession , there was a blatant high stick and a trip; we’d have been killing a 5 on 3. Helleybuck or not; those 5 PP superstars in Red would have scored with a 5 on 3.
So no, refs not calling the too many men penalty was consistent with them letting things go for both teams. Sad but true.
Player of the game for me was definitely (and by far) Hanafin.
He literally stopped two 100% goals (Stick in front of Crosby’s or he had an easy tap in) and his great defensive play shut down at least 3 more excellent opportunities. Great play with and without puck the whole game.
An OT winner; so I get McDavid as #1 star. Absolutely Binnington #2. But although Tkachuck was on fire all game, I truly believe Hanafin by far was our best player. No Hanafin, and Canadians win in regulation.
So it was sad yesterday hearing about Lange passing and then watching us lose; but it was an exciting game and until that McDavid goal I was fully entertained and had high expectations of the V.
We’ve set the tone and will show even better in Italy next year. Look out Canadians, this was 4-Nations; we’ve got our eye on Olympic Gold!
Jacob Slavin defended Crosby on what would have been a wide open net goal, not Hanifin.
I stand corrected
Weary and Sad re loss
Double eating crow for me
We’ll get’em for sure at the Olympics
Not sure if you’re Canadian. Congrats out if you are.
Group hug on our shared loss if you’re from here.
Born and raised in “yinzer” (look it up if you don’t know what that is”) territory
That was great hockey. Players that stood out for me were obviously binnington who won the game. The big dogs showed when they had to: McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar . .. guys like Larkin, Matthews, tkachuck, slavin were very good. Marner was very good. It’s true, game could have gone either way if not for goaltending. I mean it’s so critical and Canada got it. Crosby good, should have banged home that rebound though? Jarvis, too wide open net, geez. The USA has a great team but congratulations to Canada🇨🇦
Well well neighbour
My dad always pronounces it “Yunhtzer”
We’ll get ‘em at the Olympics
N’at
Americans spell it “Neighbor “ but you knew that because you’re definitely an American and no way are you Pengy , a Canadian!
Lol. Oooooops.
What a game! My initial indifference to the concept quickly disappeared with the drop of the first puck. It’s going to be very difficult for many of the players on both teams – not to mention many fans of the game – to climb down from that emotionally-charged event virtually overnight and get back to the final 25-odd game grind of the NHL season. And speaking of emotions, for a Senator’s fan watching it had to be an emotional roller-coaster with Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson scoring the U.S.A.’s 2 goals.
In the end, with great scoring chances by both sides, it boiled down to Binnington (who certainly raised his game to the occasion, silencing his critics – me included) out-duelling Hellebuyck, one of the best individual hockey player in the world, McDavid, scoring the OT (naturally, there had to be an OT) winner, and perhaps among the most maligned (these days in some quarters anyway) – Marner – doing what he does best – delivering letter-perfect passes to set up key goals.
If having played in pressure situations counts for anything, Canada had that in spades with no less than 7 on their side having played a 7th game of a Stanley Cup final, including Binnington, something like 18 or 19 with playoff finals experience and 14 sporting Cup rings (including Binnington), while the U.S. had 1 who played in a game 7 and, I believe, 3 with Cup rings.
Great game by both sides and one that could just as easily gone the other way through a deflection here or there. They are ALL winners in my opinion, anyway.
It was one heck of a hockey game! One heck of a rivalry! Matty should have sat out this game too and let Tage Thompson play. He may have been the emotional leader of the team, but he also needs to be able to play the game. Binny saved Canada’s bacon in OT, what a performance from him!
This series will be a GREAT morale booster to the players moving forward ..
The series of course , could of went either way
1. Matthews could of easily won the game in OT
Binnington was elite when it mattered most!
Spectacular glove save on B. Tkachuk as well !
2. Marner, I am hoping he grows as a person , great game !
Hopefully Sam Bennett is a free agent by July 1st , Leafs net crasher and a whole lot more !
A great and gutsy win for Team Canada. They found a way to win like the great Canadian teams of the past.
Could not have been more fitting. Like the 2010 Olympics, the worlds top player steps up with the OT winner. It has long been said that in a big game, your best players have to be your best players. They were in this game. The tournaments two best forwards, McDavid and Mackinnon, and best defenseman, Makar, stepped up when it counted most.
And remember the unsung heroes. Jordan Binnington, much maligned, was sensational when it counted most. Mitch Marner, who received plenty of criticism on this site for being invisible through to the final game (except for 3 on 3 overtime), was a difference maker. That loud noise you hear from Toronto this morning is from thousands of Leafs fans screaming about why he’s never done that in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The former skeptic in me has to say that it was a great tournament.
Howard, while you’re likely right about Marner’s critics screaming as to why he doesn’t do that in the playoffs, short of a detailed analysis of every shift from all 57 playoff games in which he has played, we’ll likely never know the truth.
It’s entirely possible that he has consistently delivered his patented, accurate and tape to tape passes in those games, but that the receivers of those passes were not cashing in at the same rate as during seasonal hockey against lesser D and goaltending.
On a different topic, LJ, I only came across your response to my Bobby Hull comment on yesterday’s post late at night, after the game. Doubt you saw my response.
Just to be clear, I was certainly not comparing Hull to Hitler. I would never do something like that. I was just pointing out his past comments in which he said that Hitler did some good things. Talk like that is the ultimate in bad judgment.
Howard: Yikes! I didn’t know that. One can only hope that was the CTE talking.
Thanks for the clarification.
Time Magazine thought so, too
https://time.com/archive/6598257/adolf-hitler-man-of-the-year-1938/
LJ that happened in the late 90s when he was a bit over 60. Obviously we can’t say if the CTE had an effect even then.
George, those were obviously different times. Time magazines naming of a man of the year was not actually an honor. It was choosing the individual or group that had the greatest impact on the world and the news that year. Numerous truly evil people were so featured.
Needless to say that Time has stopped giving that designation to people like that. Times have changed. People are less understanding these days and more likely to take things out of context.
Howard, has Time stopped doing that?
In answer to your question Ray, Time still does name a person of the year. But the last truly evil person hated across all US demographics and political stripes was likely Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. They’d never do something like that again. Would be too controversial. Closest they came was Putin in 2007 but he wasn’t quite as evil yet.
Outside of some angry GMs with injured players returning to their respective teams, it was a very entertaining tournament.
I thought McD looked less than ordinary most of the game, maybe even a bit overwhelmed…but that OT winner saved his ears from months, maybe years, of heckling.
I would venture to guess, Roy, that perhaps one reason McDavid was not more noticeable throughout was that the other side – with some pretty good checkers in their midst – were quite aware of his abilities and were making damned sure he was covered like a blanket.
US-Canada have been rivalry series for a while now as have Finland-Sweden and this all-star week replacement delivered.
Politics did get involved, even the anthem included a change of lyric along with the on and off ice chirping.
The game was a beauty giving many of us a chance to see more of just how great the game is at high speed.
Colorado, Edmonton Winnipeg fans are spoiled with MacKinnon, McDavid and Hellybuyck clearly a cut or more above the rest.
Fighting was never expected in this type of tourney so no rule changes were made but instigators should be tossed from the game in the future.
i’m used to high paced hockey in Montreal as are fans in Edmonton, Colorado and Ottawa but Boston , Detroit, NYR fans must have been surprised by the tempo.
Hope they keep the format.
The format I’d like them to keep is the 3-2-1 points available for each game.
It just might expose poor teams more clearly and force GMs to be better at their jobs.
Yep Roy and George, Eichel and Matthews shadowed McDavid well through out the game. Especially Eichel. Both did a bang up job taking away his ice, all 200′ of it.
Theory is that is why Cooper put Marner up there with McDavid as Marner can also transport the puck through the neutral zone and entering the o zone if they take McDavid away. Make em choose. And Marner was showing great poise with the puck all game. The guy was making plays. We either got lucky in OT, or it worked. Great play by Point to beat the icing that led to the O zone face off on the winner.
Have to tip my cap to Yogi, he and I debated the advantage the US had in net. He argued no one had an advantage as in such a short tourney any of the tenders could steal a game. I struggled getting on board with that theory. He nailed it as that is exactly what happened. Binnington was our MVP in that game IMO.
US has a great team, committed to defense and has skill up and down the lineup. Slavin might be the most underrated D man in the league. Man he was good.
Olympics are gonna be something if our 2 countries meet again. Lots of tired folks at work this AM in Canada. Some beer got consumed last night!
Detroit plays pretty up-tempo, buddy. And that’s with a backend that has had few good puckmovers of late… Petry expiring, Sandin-Pelikka on the way.
What a Grear Game,…👏
Sen’s d/man Sanderson played great all tournament.. ✔️
Canada had 3 passengers in the final I thought that were all disappointing
1–Especally Mitch Marnier Good luck getting payed big $$ in Leaf land ……😩.. if they cant sign him the should trade him out to a team he wants to go to..⁉️
The othere 2 were Anthony Cirell & Seth Jarvis did not impress last night…??
For the Next 4 nations the need a tougher guy to keep the Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk under control thats what we were Missing….❓
Your
Thoughts….❓
I am not sure what more you would expect from these three.
Marner an ot goal…and primary assists on last night thing and winning goals.
Jarvis was a torment all night with multiple chances.
Cirelli was fine in his limited role.
Being impressed or not I’d a personal opinion but calling the 3 passengers is rough
Williew
There was only one skater on the ice for Canada for the last 2 goals of the tournament. His name is Mitch Marner. There was only one player who got the two primary assists on the last 2 goals of the tournament. His name again is Mitch Marner. Connor McDavid said in the post game interview that the average fan would not appreciate the skill it took to take the rim, get it to his stick and make the pass through two defenders for the winner. I guess that tells us what kind of fan you are.
Bingo. As I intimate above, he’s probably been delivering a LOT of passes like that over his 57 playoff games, but those taking them were simply not scoring at the same rate they did during the seasonal games, often against lesser opponents. Even as it is, his 39 assists in 57 playoff games are way ahead of anyone else on the Leafs
As they said during the game last night, Marner leads the NHL in primary assists. As you guys said, he got the primary assist on the 2 most important goals for Canadian Hockey in a decade.
The guy was unflappable with the puck in the highest pressure situation in his entire life.
Might just carry that confidence into the playoffs. Good for him. Bad for the Leafs cap situation.
Tavares – if he remains there – will come down considerably from his current $11 mil deal and that, plus the expected $4 million + increase in the cap will cover the difference.
And should the Leafs do well in this spring’s playoffs, Marner could well re-sign not far above his current cap hit.
Great game by two excellent hockey nations. As an American I’m proud of USA hockey and what it has become…Wow !!
The difference was so slim..Cale Makar is just so good and he was a huge difference for sure best defenseman in the world…didn’t play in the first Canada USA game
USA was banged up Mc Avoy/ and one of the Hanson brothers were out.
Canada’s stars rose to the occasion. Nathan McKinnon tournament MVP, Connor Mc David although he didn’t play well for 2 periods got the OT game winner, and Captain Canada Crosby with 1 goal 4 assists 5 points in 4 games lead the way the first three plus games with one arm….dude is hurting and Jordan Freaking Binnington..was spectacular…in OT
Auston Matthews had a chance to get the monkey off his back and end it…didn’t
Both countries should be proud but oh Canada reigns supreme..again well done
some how the Crosby’s McDavids and McKinnon make those plays.
The Olympics next year should be great
As a Sidney Crosby fan I’m happy too..
Nice, blackndgold!
Great game. loved the chances to start OT for both teams
Eichel did a good job to keep McDavid quiet…dont overlook that.
Adam Fox on his one knee was the weakest link on the backend for the US. his coverage on Bennett’s goal was an issue… the GWG was more on Auston but Fox was there too.
Jack Hughes never found chemistry to use his skillset…i hope they work on getting him a linemate to utilize what he can do.
Kreider looked like he still has back issues and Nelson looked slow.
Boldy and Larkin were dynamic.
Slavin and Faber were the best D pair on either side imho. obviously Cale was dynamic
back to watching the Rangers miss the playoffs by 1 point
Agreed Eichel was so good spot on and Slavin and Faber dominant..
What is going to be interesting imo for team USA at the Olympics is how they fair with Olympic size ice rinks and international referring.
Some of their success against canada was the edgier play…big hits…and over all congestion of the ice…negating some.of the speed i feel. The larger ice will be an advantage to both hughes…but how will it impact the overall team usa structure and game plan? Can the tkachuks be as effective ? Especially where hitting someone clean but too hard is often a minor. Not saying they cannot be…but it will be interesting to see.
I think the structure of Canada’s best right now is suited for that challenge better than the Americans….but time will tell.
1Oilerfan, I remember hearing that the Olympics will paly the hockey on NHL sized rinks moving forward?
Somebody can confirm or deny if they wish to.
Ray Bark
You are correct. I was not aware that was the case. That is awesome.
Amusing sidenote, following hockey in both English and French the styles are very different and reporting/opinions vary quite often.
A rather knowledgeable fanbase takes advantage of the differences.
here’s an example :
En zone défensive sans la rondelle, il ressemble à un chien dans un jeu de quilles.
in English (my translation) In the defensive zone he resembles a dog on a bowling alley
in English media this player is considered a sure NHLer.
It makes for interesting trade bait.
Sorry correction of my translation, should have read:
In the defensive zone without the puck, he resembles a dog on a bowling alley
NYI players will likely have to wait to see a similar change in facial-hair policy until after Lamoriello either retires or is canned
https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/mlb/new-york-yankees-reverse-decades-old-facial-hair-policy-will-allow-wel-rcna193144?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Here’s a long one.
Sr how’s the crow, tasty? Players like Marner always need time to figure things out. He as much said it when he first lined up along side McD by saying how he needs to learn McD’s playing preferences and speed. Coop was smart to move Marner to a checking role since he’s quite effective defensively. Marner, who as many here incorrectly say never shows up in games that matter, makes a defensive play in the neutral zone and sets up the very important, game changing tying goal.
Coop saw McDavid was struggling and reunited Marner with McDavid’s line which of course eventually allowed Marner to do what he does best is draw more than one opponent to him while successfully making a play off the wall or corner to set up the game and series ending goal to a struggling McDavid in OT. How’s that for a disappearing act?
For many of you critics out there, conveniently forget that the past playoff series where both Matthews and Marner where less than stellar should of been expected since both were the stars of the team, set to carry the load from their rookie year onward. The first time in the playoffs was the following year the selected Matthews 1st overall. It was his and Marner’s rookie year. It’s just amazing they qualified for the postseason that fast. How long have other teams waited to get there and are only still bubble teams after the same period? It’s not the exactly right to expect the guys who are the ones to carry the team do it from day one and expect immediate success. Also why the Leafs got JT for the second Matthews and Marner season. Rookie players + rookie GM + rookie coach is a recipe for failure. I’m surprised so few see that…But I guess the Leafs will be an eternal whipping post.
A couple of notes about Matthews and his performance. Besides looking like he’s not close to 100% he did do everything but score (illness related maybe). Set up two goals and was generally all over the ice shutting things down or creating offense – the two American goals were assisted by him. I don’t agree with Lyle’s take that Matthews left McDavid open because Fox went puck chasing instead of covering the front of the net. He saw Makar come down the wall and whipped the puck to Marner. And Marner did what he does better than most players, took the puck off the wall and made the play he needed to make. Fox should have gone to cover the net when he skated behind it instead of continuing towards Marner, a guy Fox was not going to get to plus Matthews, being a forward was already going towards Marner and had a better line on him.
Bottom line is this is like only the 8th big winner take all games both players played in their careers. Eight games might seem a lot but so is how impressive it is considering they’ve been in them since year one of their careers being “the guys” that are expected to succeed where no one has in a while in what is one of the wildest/feverish hockey market.
Ron Moore, I am here to answer the bell!Not
hiding! There were several winners in this series! The game of hockey was a big winner! The best player in the world won the game!I hope the playoffs are as exciting as these!I honestly wish Marner would go to a Utah or Chicago to help out those teams!
Lyle is right, the slot is a centres responsibility. Fox made the correct move to cover Marner, his partner covers in front of the net. The winger on that side would move down the boards to help Fox. At that point there was no reason for Matthews to go into the corner to help Fox and leave the slot open. If Fox had separated Marner from the puck and the puck was loose, then he would`ve had reason to go because Fox had eliminated Marner as a threat to pass. The slot was Matthews primary responsibility
Most of the game Eichel played head to head with Mcdavid!Wonder how Matthews ended up there,instead of Eichel!
The US was playing a box plus one, McDavid talked about it post game and how that play (hard rim to opposite corner by Makar) makes it tough on the C as he has to make the read to go into the corner to be the 1 on Marner, or cover the front as part of the moving/rotating box.
Fox also had to make a read when Makar fires it low. Is he now the 1 who goes to the close corner or stay part of the box as he can’t get to it?
Fox went, couldn’t get there but is still the 1 as he left the box. Matthews is now the closest to the puck and he needs to make a decision. Go to the puck and let Fox rotate to the slot or stay with McDavid in the slot. He made the wrong call as Fox was behind the net, or at least hesitated for a second, now in no man’s land. And yes, if he fumbles the puck or turns his back you go. Otherwise you stay.
Fox made the wrong read as he couldn’t get to the puck to cut it off, and now is behind the net guarding nobody who can make a play. If he would have stayed and rotated to slot, Matthews could have went.
Which put Matthews in a tougher spot, hesitated or wrong initial read, whatever. He should have stayed higher in the slot.
Both Fox and Matthews made a quick judgement that was wrong, cost them a goal as Marner made a great skill play and McDavid buried it.
At least that is how I saw it.
Both Auston and Fox have to do the math that Marner is always looking to pass first AND somewhere on the ice is #97. you have to know where he is ……i know its a fast game.
One knee Fox has to go behind the net to attempt to slow the pass going around the boards. he would of not made it to 97 either….
When the puck rings around the boards Fox is behind the net already moving towards Marner when he gets the puck. The front of the net is covered and the left winger is in good position to cover the left point. Fox`s position prevents Marner from going to the net. At this point Marner really has no play, until Matthews decides to leave the slot. As soon as Matthews makes that move, McDavid sees this and moves a little bit farther away from the net to give himself more space and a better angle for Marner to pass to. If Matthews stays where he was there`s no pass McDavid. Marner gets the puck below the goal line the coverage falls to Fox not Matthews. Marner is sitting in the corner praying he can draw Matthews to him and he did, end of game
The only argument I am making is Fox made a bad read on the hard rim from Makar. He never got close to stopping the puck and had no chance. That started the problem.
If he reads it sooner he could have supported the slot, or taken a more direct line to Marner. When Marner had control of the puck on his stick Fox was 20′ away and behind the net near no Canadian player.
Matthews had to make a choice, hesitated, no man’s land.
In the box plus one both the C and the D can be first to the corner, it’s about making reads and communicating. Both guys made the wrong read.
I’m just going by what McDavid said the US was playing, and it sounded like a set play Canada worked on. That is the way I was taught to play it and coach it defensively. Stay on top of the puck, Fox got below it. There are nuances to it on all teams, so who knows for sure. All good to disagree.
I agree with you Ray on Fox making a poor read on the puck around the boards. But Fox recovered pretty good by coming up above the goal line to take the threat of Marner going to the net away. Fox had zero chance to get in front of the net to try to block a shot let alone take the pass away. Fox`s mistake wasn`t fatal, Matthew`s mistake was. McDavid saw Matthews mistake right away and backed up a couple of feet to give Marner a better passing lane. If Matthews stays close to the slot, Marner has no play there and Marner being in the corner just above the goal line was no threat to score from there. Matthews may have had a thought of going after Marner, but he had to know McDavid was behind him and Marner can thread a needle with a pass. Hockey is a game of mistakes
I can honestly say I was one of the biggest naysayers of this whole tournament. I believe I even called it a fake one haha.
I ended becoming quite invested in the whole thing and the final game did not disappoint!
My buddy joked that the Ottawa Senators almost beat Canada… sorry everyone!
Anyway… this is definitely a far more engaging and entertaining idea than the All Star Game IMO.
I said this at the beginning of the tournament and I`ll say it again. Every goalie in this tournament has the ability to steal a game. No team had an advantage in net. Was I surprised Binnington played great, nope. Was I surprised Hellebuyck lost, nope. Does that make Binnington a better goalie than Hellebuyck, nope. Just means in a 1 game showdown like that anything can happen
You got that bang on, Yogi.
Just a great tune up for the the Olympics. Showed us why, at its best, hockey is the greatest game of them all.
Yogi, good point. That’s hockey. How often do you see one guy make some big saves @ a certain time then see the other team come down and score? Almost always!
Overall interest in hockey seems to be on the rise in North America judging by this report on legal betting for the finale yesterday
https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/43953206/usa-canada-4-nations-face-final-breaks-betting-records