Nathan MacKinnon Sends a Strong Message to Team USA Ahead of Much Anticipated Rematch
Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon sent a strong message to Team USA today after defeating Finland to secure a spot in the Four Nations faceoff finale.
Team Canada advanced to the Four Nations faceoff finale this afternoon after they defeated Team Finland by a final score of 5-3.
Finland made the game interesting after going down 4-0, scoring three goals in the 3rd period, including two from Mikael Granlund less than a minute apart.
Unfortunately for the Finns though, the comeback ran out of time as Sidney Crosby scored the empty netter to secure the victory.
There were several questions about Team Canada's roster going into the game, most notably, whether or not Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar would play.
Moments before the game, it was revealed that Makar would play, making his status for the finale all but certain.
Now Makar will get his first chance to play against the Americans in the tournament as he missed the first game against Team USA with an illness.
After this afternoon's game, Makar's teammate Nathan MacKinnon sent a strong message to Team USA, promising to play better in the highly anticipated rematch.
He expressed nothing but confidence in his team, even if there are question marks in goal with Jordan Binnington.
The first match between Canada and the USA at this tournament proved to be the most-watched hockey game in nearly five years, reaching over 5 million people across the US and Canada.
As such, we can expect Thursday's finale to be perhaps the most anticipated hockey game of our generation.
You absolutely will not want to miss it, so be sure to tune in Thursday at 8PM EST for what could be one of the best games of our lives.
![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel (38) controls the puck during the third period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/529746.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel (38) controls the puck during the third period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images")
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Drew Doughty (89) looks on against Team Sweden 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/529645.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Drew Doughty (89) looks on against Team Sweden in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second 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/529619.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
