Finland Make a Crucial Lineup Change Ahead of Must Win Game vs Canada
The Four Nations has been a huge win for the NHL, and with Finland heading into the last game with a chance to make the big game, they've made a huge change to their lineup just days after a dramatic victory over their arch rivals in Sweden.
After a rough start to the Four Nations Face Off, Team Finland bounced back with a win over Sweden, and now, they face a do-or-die clash with Team Canada to clinch a spot in the Championship game.
Unfortunately, this team has dealt with plenty of injuries leading into the tournament, and now, they've been forced into another change, as top NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has now revealed that they are calling on Joel Armia to make his way into the lineup for this must-win game.
Reportedly, he'll take the place of Tuevo Teravainen, who has been solid for the Finnish team through two games, but with the leadership and the grittiness that Armia brings, he's a solid option to slot in against the Canadians.
It's unclear at this point if any injuries have led to this change or if the Finns just wanted a different look up front, but matched up against the likes of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and the star-studded Canada lineup, they'll need to be at their very best to pick up a win.
For Montreal this season, Armia has 10 goals and 24 points in 56 games played, as he continues to be a rock solid presence in their lineup, and with so many stars around him in Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen and Patrik Laine just to name a few, he gives this lineup the balance that it may need to cause the major upset win in this matchup.
![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530316.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530162.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530154.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
