Auston Matthews said he is going to take what he has learned as captain of the Maple Leafs and apply it to the same role with the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
“I’ll just be myself every day, that’s why I’ve gotten to where I am,” he said. “You gain a lot of experience throughout the years and you learn a lot from different players that have been captain. Obviously, I leaned on (former Leafs captain) Johnny (Tavares).
“There’s a lot of guys on this (American) team here who are captains on their respective teams. It’s a collective effort.”
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is suddenly lining up alongside some bitter rivals for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Players across the locker rooms in Montreal said they had no issues pushing their rivalries aside for the common goal of going for gold. (Feb. 11, 2025 / The Canadian Press)
A strange part of the 4 Nations tournament will be seeing NHL teammates facing each other. Matthews will go up against Canada’s Mitch Marner and Sweden’s William Nylander.
“It’ll be different,” Matthews said. “You’re used to having those guys on your side. In the end, we’re all competitors, we all want to win. It’ll just be a little bit weird. It’ll be fun.”
Here’s a look at Canada’s competition in the 4 Nations Face-Off:
There will be a lot superstars getting to know how to play with each other when NHL foes become Team Canada friends for the 4 Nations Face-Off
There will be a lot superstars getting to know how to play with each other when NHL foes become Team Canada friends for the 4 Nations Face-Off
United States
Forwards: If Matthews gets on a heater, watch out. But there are other threats, too; Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughes are elite scorers. And with Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, the Americans will come with a great deal of snarl.
Defence: Zach Werenski is having a Norris Trophy-type season and Quinn Hughes is as good they come. The blue line won’t have any problems moving the puck with Adam Fox and Charlie McAvoy. Jaccob Slavin is underrated.
Goaltending: The true American strength, with three of the best goalies in the game: Connor Hellebuyck, who should win the Vezina and could take home the Hart as MVP, is joined Jeremy Swayman and Jake Oettinger.
Coaching: Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. He has been able to manage big talents and big personalities, winning the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017. He’s a stickler for details and a terrific communicator.
Sweden
Forwards: William Nylander leads as talented a group as Sweden has been able to put together up front. This might be just the thing that Canucks star Elias Pettersson needs to get back on track. William Karlsson won’t play but replacement Rickard Rackell is no slouch.
Defence: Victor Hedman captains the team and, with two Stanley Cups in Tampa Bay, is the team’s most decorated defenceman. Any of Erik Karlsson, Rasmus Dahlin and Matthias Ekholm can be game-changers.
Goaltending: The injury to Jacob Markstrom is a blow but Linus Ullmark has helped make the Senators playoff contenders and Filip Gustavsson has carried the load on a strong Minnesota team. Philadelphia’s Samuel Ersson subs for Markstrom.
Coaching: Sam Hallam has been Sweden’s full-time national coach since 2022. The program hasn’t had a great deal of success in recent years but won bronze at the 2024 world championship, its first medal since back-to-back golds in 2017 and 2018.
Finland
Forwards: Scoring shouldn’t be a problem with Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz and Artturi Lehkonen having surpassed 20 goals in the NHL this season. Patrik Laine is a killer on the power play, Sebastian Aho is a superior playmaker and captain Aleksander Barkov is among the best two-way players in the game.
Defence: The loss of Miro Heiskanen is a devastating blow to a thin blue-line. Esa Lindell is a terrific defensive defenceman. Niko Mikkola and Rasmus Ristolainen provide some veteran experience.
Goaltending: Nashville’s Juuse Saros probably gets the call as the No. 1, backed up by Kevin Lankinen, who has thrived in a bigger-than-expected role in Vancouver, and Buffalo’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who runs hot and cold.
Coaching: Jukka Jalonen is Finnish icon, leading Finland to its first Olympic hockey gold medal in 2022. He’s coaching Italy’s national team full-time now, preparing for the 2026 Winter Games.
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