New York Rangers Daily: Mika Zibanejad, Sweden to get 4 Nations started; Team USA honors late Johnny Gaudreau
After just two days of practice for each team, the 4 Nations Face-Off gets underway Wednesday night, when Sweden plays Canada at Bell Centre in Montreal. Mika Zibanejad is the lone New York Rangers representative in action Wednesday, playing for Sweden.
Canada’s firepower is surreal, but their goaltending is questionable. Sweden has issues in goal too, with Jacob Marsktrom out injured and Linus Ullmark coming back from a back injury. The United States might be the favorite because their roster is stacked AND that includes having the best goalie in the tournament in Connor Hellebiyck. Finland’s lineup is decimated by injury, but still can’t be counted out.
Adam Fox, J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider begin the tournament when the United States plays Finland on Thursday. It’s looking more and more like Kreider will be a healthy scratch. He was the extra forward rotating in at practice again Tuesday on a line with Trocheck, Brock Nelson and Dylan Larkin.
That Canada-U.S. preliminary-round clash Saturday night at Bell Centre should eb something to see for sure. Miller and Trocheck will have their hands full in checking roles against the likes of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby.
Curious to see what the interest is like with hockey fans in the United States. It appears that Canadian fans are embracing this mid-season international tournament. Fans in the States? That’s still up for debate.
Let’s just hope no one gets seriously hurt with the stretch run in the NHL regular season set to resume Feb. 22.
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Here are 5 things to watch for at the 4 Nations Face-Off, including McDavid, MacKinnon and Crosby finally teaming up together on international stage.
Here’s a great one-stop shop for all your 4 Nations needs: rosters, tournament rules, schedules and TV info all in one place.
Jordan Binnington will start in goal for Canada in its 4 Nations opener against Sweden. He beat out Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault.
The United States continues to honor the late Johnny Gaudreau, hanging his Team USA sweater in their dressing room at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Also, his father, Guy Gaudreau, was an on-ice coach for the United States this week and will continue in that role throughout the tournament.
Sidney Crosby, who skated on the wing not at center at Canada’s practice Tuesday, said “it’s an absolute honor” to have the QMJHL name it’s rookie of the year award after him, as it announced yesterday.
The Minnesota Wild placed forward Devin Shore on waivers, for the fourth time this season.
At Finland’s media session, Patrik Laine discussed his recent dip in ice time for the Montreal Canadiens and it got a bit blow out of proportion that he’s angry with coach Martin St. Louis. For his part, Laine acknowledged he must begin to play better.
Watch several members of the United States, including Rangers forwards J.T. Miller and Chris Kreider, meet with media ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off.
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