That’s all for tonight. Thanks as always for following along with us and be sure to check out the full report here with follow-up coverage to come in the next few hours.
The anthem singer who performed the Canadian anthem before tonight’s game changed a lyric in O Canada in protest of US president Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about making the country the 51st state.
Publicist Adam Gonshor in an email to the Associated Press confirmed Chantal Kreviazuk changed the lyric from “in all of us command” to “that only us command” and confirmed Trump’s 51st state comments were the reason why. During Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory, Kreviazuk told the AP she did it “because I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism”.
“I’m somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being,” she added. “I don’t think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself and be true to myself.”
“I’m somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being,” she added. “I don’t think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself and be true to myself.”
“It’s just special,” says Canada star Sidney Crosby, who is no stranger to sudden-death heroics on the international stage. “I mean, every opportunity you get to wear the Canadian jersey and compete in this event ... it’s something new, but I think you saw the hockey that was on display. It was pretty incredible and happy for this group. We came together in a short period of time and found a way to get it done.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins star missed two NHL games leading into the tournament, leading many to question his status for the competition. He’s asked why playing in the 4 Nations Face-Off was so important to him.
“Just to get the opportunity to play for Canada,” he says. “It’s been a long time and any chance you get to do that, it’s huge. Obviously [to be] part of this group, too. It’s a special group and like I said, [I’m] glad we could find a way to win it.”
Asked what motiviates him to stay on top of his game at 37 years old, Crosby says: “I think just my passion for it and getting an opportunity to play with these guys. How can you not be motivated by that? It’s a pretty special group and [I’m] happy for Connor to get that goal. He is an incredible player and stepped up big when we need it.”
Once the medals have been doled out, Canada round off a tournament where national anthems were thrust into the center of attention with a rousing rendition of O Canada at TD Garden.
Singing O Canada loud and proud after winning the #4Nations Face-Off. 🇨🇦
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2025
What a feeling. pic.twitter.com/81wQ11f1w5
On the losing side of things, USA coach Mike Sullivan has nothing but positive vibes for the runners-up.
“I could not be more proud of this group,” Sullivan says. “They competed hard all night and are outstanding representatives of our sport and country. The game tonight was an incredible display of hockey on both sides and this tournament was absolutely great for our sport.”
Updated
Connor McDavid, considered by many to be the world’s best player, is asked to opine on the most gratifying part of tonight’s win.
“Just to see the reaction, just to know what it means to us, you know?” the Edmonton Oilers star says. “I know it’s just a quick tournament, you know, and it’s not an Olympic gold medal or anything like that, but it means the world to our group. As you can see, everybody battled so hard all week, so yeah, it was special.”
Why does it mean so much?
“Because it’s best on best,” McDavid says. You know, it’s four great countries going at it, obviously here in Boston, going against an amazing American team and just finding a way. It wasn’t necessarily the prettiest, but [we] just found a way.”
McDavid is then pressed on what was going through his mind during that nerve-shredding overtime period.
“I was not very good all night,” he says. “All that was going through my mind is just keep going. You know? I struggled all night, but these guys played great and we just found a way.”
Asked what he hoped the many casual fans who tuned into this tournament learned about hockey, McDavid is to the point.
“Well, I hope they love it,” he says. “You know, it’s a great game. It’s a great sport. And I hope we put on a good show these last couple days and gained some fans. Ultimately you can’t ask for a better show than that.”
Nathan MacKinnon is named Most Valuable Player of the tournament after scoring four goals in four games including the first one tonight.
The Colorado Avalanche forward was also a plus-4 for the tournament and became the third Canadian to average at least a goal per game at an NHL international tournament, after Mario Lemieux (1987 Canada Cup) and Mike Bossy (1981 Canada Cup).
Updated
Justin Trudeau: 'You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game'
Canada’s prime minister appears to have gotten the last laugh. Hours after Trump invited “Governor Trudeau” to watch the politically charged final alongside him, the PM took in tonight’s cathartic triumph with Twitter fingers at the ready.
You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 21, 2025
Updated
This win will be special for Canada for so many reasons. They had to win it away from home in Boston. And they had to beat a very good US team, full of star power and grit.
And this event is clearly a huge hit. Already looking forward to the Olympics next year and surely another iteration of this tournament at some point down the road.
We’ll pass it along to Bryan Graham now to capture some of the live reaction from tonight’s classic.
Updated
Jordan Binnington has broken down into tears. The two biggest moments of his hockey career have happened in this building – a Stanley Cup win with the Blues, and now this. He was solid throughout and truly exceptional in overtime.
Marner is another Canadian hero on the evening, with two assists, including the game-winner.
Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off championship
Connor McDavid ends it out of nowhere. He suddenly appears in between the faceoff circles, takes a pass from Mitch Marner and smoothly rips it into the net.
THERE IT IS! THE GAME WINNER! THE TOURNAMENT WINNER! 😱😱😱
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2025
CONNOR MCDAVID HAS WON IT FOR CANADA!!! #4Nations pic.twitter.com/nDneA2e26K
Updated
11:50 left, 1st OT: It’s messy stuff here – which, again, probably favors the USA.
13:29 left, 1st OT: Finally a shot from Crosby, but it’s harmless.
15:29 left, 1st OT: HUGE STOP for Binnington! A giveaway puts Matthews through. Binnington stops that one, then scrambles back to rob Brady Tkachuk.
And ANOTHER off the faceoff, also from Matthews.
16:15 left, 1st OT: Marchand streaks through with a chance for a huge moment in his home arena, but he can’t get a clean shot away.
17:09 left, 1st OT: Replay shows Canada accidentally sent two guys out for one space, but one realized it and scrambled back before anyone could get called for having too many men on the ice.
McDavid tries to get something done, but he wastes one shot and then has the puck picked cleanly off his stick before he can shoot again.
Then a big chance for the USA, with Binnington stopping Matthews at point-blank range.
17:58 left, 1st OT: Eichel shoots from a tough angle. Brock Nelson shoots a few seconds later from nearly the same spot. Another strong start for the USA, but Hagel gets a shot the other way.
Stat of the night: Sidney Crosby doesn’t have a shot.
Puck is about to drop. So am I.
ESPN is replaying the Miracle montage from the pregame. Maybe we’re stuck in a loop.
But they’re getting ready to restart already.
For those new to how playoff hockey works in the NHL and NHL-adjacent events like this – they play until someone scores. Golden Goal. Sudden death. Sudden victory. They play 20-minute periods so they can still run the Zamboni.
End 3rd period: Canada 2-2 USA
A late flurry from Canada really should’ve ended this. McDavid was in front of the net but then drifted away.
ESPN notes that the last time the USA and Canada were tied after regulation in a big event, it was also 2-2 – in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Sidney Crosby scored the winner while I was at one end of the Peak-to-Peak gondola at Whistler.
Get out the caffeinated beverage of your choice. We may be here a while.
Updated
Canada 2-2 USA, 1:29 left, 3rd period: McKinnon gets a brief look and fires. Hellebuyck catches.
Canada 2-2 USA, 2:12 left, 3rd period: One too many passes on a US break.
Canada get back the other way, but Slavin plays the puck up into the rafters to ease some pressure.
Updated
Canada 2-2 USA, 3:30 left, 3rd period: My mind is starting to conflate music by great Canadian bands. “If I had a million dollars … though his MIND IS NOT FOR RENT! …”
Two more shots for the USA. Canada need to shake something up.
Updated
Canada 2-2 USA, 4:31 left, 3rd period: Is McDavid healthy? A lot of players in this tournament have been battling illness, and he just doesn’t look like himself.
Kreider unleashes an opportunistic shot that Binnington catches. Faceoff in the Canadian zone when we resume from the ad break.
Canada 2-2 USA, 5:37 left, 3rd period: Werenski rips a shot from the blue line. It’s blocked. The USA look much more likely to score.
Canada 2-2 USA, 6:40 left, 3rd period: Like Han Solo charging at a band of stormtroopers, Brad Marchand takes the puck and races through the US defense, but that was never going to work.
Canada 2-2 USA, 7:34 left, 3rd period: Canada really unable to get anything going offensively right now.
Meanwhile, Costa Rican side Saprissa scored in stoppage time to take a 2-1 lead after the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup tie vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps. Canada could really use some good news now.
Canada 2-2 USA, 9:46 left, 3rd period: One end – patient buildup for Canada, leading to an unimpressive shot.
Other end – Guentzel goes 1-on-3 and nearly scores.
Canada 2-2 USA, 10:47 left, 3rd period: US shot deflected up into the netting.
Canada weathered the early US storm this period. It’s anyone’s game right now.
Updated
Canada 2-2 USA, 12:06 left, 3rd period: What a game Slavin is having for the USA. The defenseman sprawls to block a shot with his shin.
Canada 2-2 USA, 12:41 left, 3rd period: The puck arcs up into the air near the Canadian net but is played to safety.
If you’re wondering who I’m rooting for, it’s very simple – I’m rooting for whoever scores next. If we have overtime, I’m going to be a zombie in the morning.
Canada 2-2 USA, 13:50 left, 3rd period: PING! Hagel gets a shot past Hellebuyck but hits the left post. So close to a 3-2 lead for the visitors.
Canada 2-2 USA, 14:55 left, 3rd period: Finally, some signs of life for the team in red. Hellebuyck smothers a rebound to give Canada a faceoff opportunity in the US zone.
Canada 2-2 USA, 16:00 left, 3rd period: HUGE save by Binnington. All the chances are at one end right now.
Canada 2-2 USA, 17:10 left, 3rd period: The USA have a sudden break, with Guentzel zipping through the center while Canada make a slow line change. He can’t get the puck past Binnington.
Canada 2-2 USA, 18:40 left, 3rd period: Neither team has established any rhythm as yet.
Shot attempts are 46-34, Canada. The Canadians have also spent more time in the US zone than the other way around.
And now McDavid is chewing on his mouthguard. How are these things even effective after all that?
Play resumes …
I appreciate this poignant note from Cindy Frederick: “I’m a non tv person but my hubby who passed away 5 years ago was a nut nut hockey fan. He would have been glued to the tv. I am enjoying your updates immensely. As a Canadian this is not just hockey for us. Thanks so much. Great job.”
Gregory Butler checks in again: “ I just had to say: I was watching a hockey game and got a curling match thrown in for free.”
I still think “I went to the fights last night, and a hockey game broke out” is a classic one-liner.
End 2nd period: Canada 2-2 USA
It’s a thriller, no doubt. But Canada have squandered so many chances to get ahead, and the USA have been much better in the third period in this tournament.
Back at the Scotties, Christina Black has indeed won to take second in Pool B. Bad luck for Quebec, as they miss out.
Black’s prize? She gets to face Rachel Homan in the playoffs tomorrow. Good luck.
Canada 2-2 USA, 1:00 left, 2nd period: Canada can look so impressive zipping the puck around in the US zone, but they just don’t get good shots out of it.
McDavid again has a half-chance that proves to be half-empty rather than half-full.
Canada 2-2 USA, 2:52 left, 2nd period: ESPN notes that Matthew Tkachuck just did a shift of about five seconds. Must not be feeling particularly well.
Again – can a dentist please speak with this US team about the harm of chewing on their mouthpieces like that? Dental work is more painful than a puck or a punch to the face.
Canada 2-2 USA, 4:17 left, 2nd period: Bit of a misplay by Binnington, but he covers it up.
3-on-2 for Canada, but McDavid’s shot is blocked. Quiet game for the Canadian star, who has a massive trophy case of NHL individual honors.
Updated
Canada 2-2 USA, 5:51 left, 2nd period: Game on! Things seemed to be inexorably turning the USA’s way, but that one play turned the game back on its head.
Hellebuyck doesn’t deserve too much of the blame here, but he’s been human tonight after two fantastic games earlier in the tournament.
All of the incoming email is full of praise that has me blushing – except for the one from Steve Chiu correcting the spelling of Werenski and informing me (just before the goal) that the expected goal count was 2.37 to 1.04 for Canada. He also asks me how it feels to be a Caps fan with no Caps in the tournament. Frankly, I don’t mind letting those guys get some rest. Can’t help feeling they’re overachieving right now. They’re nine points clear of the rest of the Eastern Conference.
GOAL! Canada 2-2 USA (Bennett 14:00)
Sam Bennett forces a turnover near the center line, dishes to Marner, then streaks up the ice to take a return pass from Marner and slip it over Hellebuyck’s shoulder. Brilliant play.
Updated
Canada 1-2 USA, 7:03 left, 2nd period: Larkin has been impressive several times in this game now. He slaloms through the neutral zone to set up the USA in the offensive third. But Canada regain possession.
Meanwhile, Einarson scores three in the 10th. She’s in the playoffs. Black (Nova Scotia) is poised to take the last spot.
Canada 1-2 USA, 7:25 left, 2nd period: Once again, a puck is there for Canada to poke home, and once again, they can’t do it. Crosby, one of the best ever (and it pains me to say that as a Washington Capitals fan), is just too slow to get his stick down to the ice, and Slavin knocks it away.
Updated
Canada 1-2 USA, 7:53 left, 2nd period: Marchand, the hometown hero playing for the visitors tonight, has a good look at the net but skies it high. He ends up taking a bit of a shove in the back after that. Then we once again see a Tkachuk brother chewing his mouthpiece. It’s really irritating. No wonder people want to fight them all the time.
Ad break, so let’s check in on the Scotties.
Black (Nova Scotia) is up 8-5 in the 10th and should be all but set for the playoffs. Einarson-Lawes is tied 6-6 in the 10th; Einarson has the hammer. Can you imagine Einarson not making the playoffs? Trust me – that would be a stunner.
Canada 1-2 USA, 8:53 left, 2nd period: Eichel’s stick shatters, which is less than ideal when you’re killing a penalty. But the USA clear and can reset.
After more Canadian pressure, the USA break clear 2-on-1, and Binnington comes up huge to stop Larkin.
Updated
Canada 1-2 USA, 11:03 left, 2nd period: We have a penalty! And it’s a truly stupid one. Deep in the Canadian zone, Trocheck lunges with his stick into a Canadian player’s legs. Easy call. Tripping, two minutes.
Updated
GOAL! Canada 1-2 USA (Sanderson 7:31)
Warensky unleashes a long shot, Matthews takes a swipe at the rebound, and it lands to Jake Sanderson for the open shot.
Updated
Canada 1-1 USA, 13:52 left, 2nd period: One of the Tkachuks starts to have a go at a Canadian player, but it’s quickly shrugged off.
More closed-glove shoves at the next stoppage.
Canada 1-1 USA, 14:22 left, 2nd period: NOW there’s a chance for the USA, with Binnington forced into all sorts of awkward contortions.
Replay shows it was Point who had the shot that trickled wide. McDavid was the last to touch it before then.
ESPN shows the scoring chances stat – 8-5 USA.
Updated
Canada 1-1 USA, 16:27 left, 2nd period: McDavid shot on the rebound goes JUST wide with Hellebuyck stranded.
Whoever tracks “expected goals” in hockey would surely tell us Canada is leading 4797.487 to 1.1 or something. Shots are 14-10 Canada.
Canada 1-1 USA, 17:37 left, 2nd period: The crowd yells for a penalty after Miller hits the ice near the center line, but nothing was there. The puck bounced up and hit him in the face – unfortunate, but not a penalty. Unless they want to send the puck to the penalty box, which would make the game difficult to play.
Canada 1-1 USA, 18:52 left, 2nd period: Bright start for Canada, with a prolonged possession and a couple of shots. McDavid then works his way through traffic but can’t get a clean shot away.
Kerry Galusha has played her last game at the Scotties. The perennial representative from Northwest Territories is retiring from high-level curling.
Second period underway in Boston …
One last email during the intermission, from Lesley Anne Forsyth: “Living in Calgary, AB and irritated by lack of coverage here unless we subscribe to ESPN. But as football & rugby fans, we use Fubo for Prem and rely on the Beeb and The Guardian for quality live coverage of everything. Amazed at the range of sports The Guardian does this for - thanks!”
I once covered Iceland’s handball team. They were hilarious. Pretty good, too.
Stevie Welland writes: “Thank you for writing these live updates! I’m cheering on Canada, my home country, from a bus on the way to Hanoi, Vietnam. I think Canada will pull through. We have more to prove.”
Funny – someone just asked in a message board I follow why hockey hasn’t caught on in Asia. Maybe you can convince everyone.
Jean Anne Wightman writes: “Thank-you to the Guardian for reporting on this and on the Scotties. I don’t think I ever saw Scotties on your sports page, very sweet. Here in Canada we could use a little love right now. Please encourage King Charles to come for a visit ASAP.”
I think I might take a year at some point and just go around Canada and Minnesota to major curling events.
Meanwhile, at the Scotties …
Danielle Inglis is cruising toward the playoffs. She’s up 9-2.
Christina Black is keeping the Nova Scotia push alive. She’s up 6-5 with hammer in the eighth.
The Manitoba Superteam showdown is close: 6-4 Einarson, but Lawes has hammer in the ninth.
Ell Pullen writes: “I’m happy to see someone in Britain talking about the four nations! I’m afraid I’m a brit who has little interest in rugby (or football, for that matter) so I’ve been trying to bring up the four nations while my mates talk about the six nations, to little avail.”
We’ve had several commenters from the UK this evening (morning in Britain), but I’m actually a lifelong US resident/citizen.
W Balenov writes: “Sadly it’s a long YouTube time transmission delay here on Mars. btw - The US arena they’re playing in is ironically named after a Canadian bank - Toronto Dominion Bank - TD”
One thing I love about watching Canadian curling is all the ads for farm equipment. It’s remarkably soothing.
Rianna F writes: “I’d really encourage everyone engaging with hockey for the first time to check out their local teams! The EIHL has brilliant hockey with tickets almost always under £20. GO NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS!”
I lived in Greensboro, NC, when the former Hartford Whalers moved south to become the Carolina Hurricanes. They played in Greensboro while waiting for the arena to be built in Raleigh, and attendance was … not great. I was able to get student tickets for $15 that were supposed to be way up in the upper level, but they pushed me down to the lower level to make it look like they had a crowd.
End 1st period: Canada 1-1 USA
Stats:
10-10 shots
0 penalties!
USA 14-7 edge in hits
A lot of mail has come in – will get to it shortly.
Elsewhere inside the building, it’s getting chippy in the upper deck.
A fight just almost broke out after these Americans spotted a Canadian fan with a “Eh USA, 11th province? Think aboot it!” sign 😂🇨🇦 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/OXI7UfBTJD
— YEGWAVE (@yegwave) February 21, 2025
Updated
Canada 1-1 USA, 1:00 left, 1st period: It’s messy now. Advantage USA.
GOAL! Canada 1-1 USA (B Tkachuk 16:52)
Matthews goes around the net and pushes the puck into a gaggle of players in front of the net. Canadian players are slow to react. Tkachuk pokes it home.
What’d I say about missed chances?
Updated
Canada 1-0 USA, 3:15 left, 1st period: Shots are even at nine each now, but the USA can’t look back at any particular chance and say they should’ve done better. Canada may rue a lack of finishing in this period.
Canada 1-0 USA, 4:05 left, 1st period: Since I posted that stat, the USA have reeled off a string of faceoff wins.
Both teams are making some truly sloppy passes right now.
Corey Anders writes: “My girlfriend is Canadian. I’m US. It’s a challenging evening.”
Hey, I went to Duke and my wife went to North Carolina. Similar, minus the political undercurrents.
Canada 1-0 USA, 5:14 left, 1st period: Interesting stat: Canada has won two-thirds of the faceoffs.
Steve Chiu writes to say the game is on YouTube in the UK and elsewhere on Earth.
Quick peek at the Scotties during the ad break – the three teams that were 5-2 (Inglis, Black, Einarson) are all winning.
Canada 1-0 USA, 6:14 left, 1st period: Another loose puck that dangles tantalizingly in front of the US net for what seems like eons, but the problem with being at point-blank range is that the goalie is right there.
Adrienne writes: “I would love to watch the 4 Nations Face Off final but in the UK it isn’t being shown. Go Canada!!”
You’d think hockey’s overseers would want this game broadcast everywhere on Earth and maybe a few places on Mars, but it’s not exactly prime time in the UK right now.
Updated
Canada 1-0 USA, 6:54 left, 1st period: Quick breakaway for the USA’s Larkin, but Binnington is up to the challenge.
Canada 1-0 USA, 8:13 left, 1st period: Terrible giveaway by Canada on their own blue line, and they’re a bit lucky that the US players are too slow zipping around the back of the net with Binnington out of position.
Canada 1-0 USA, 9:24 left, 1st period: The stadium crew is replacing a pane of glass.
Yes, those are Tim Horton’s logos on the Canadian helmets.
Canada 1-0 USA, 9:24 left, 1st period: Oh my – Canada will want that one back. A rebound gets caught amid Hellebuyck’s skates, and Jarvis has a couple of good whacks at it to make it 2-0, and he just can’t poke it through.
NHL.com’s stats say the shot count is 6-4 Canada. We’ll go with that. For those of you who don’t watch a lot of hockey but find yourself in England battling insomnia – “shots” in hockey measure only shots on goal. Not blocked shots, not wide shots.
Canada 1-0 USA, 9:38 left, 1st period: The crowd has gone remarkably silent. Finally, after a wayward Canadian shot, they perk up with the old “U-S-A!” chant.
Canada 1-0 USA, 11:01 left, 1st period: Canada had done well to control the game after a frenetic, chaotic start, but now they’re getting a little sloppy with their passes.
Canada 1-0 USA, 12:38 left, 1st period: Resuming after an ad break.
Canada 1-0 USA, 13:20 left, 1st period: One subplot of minor interest is that Canada’s Brad Marchand is, of course, the heart and soul of the Boston Bruins. The home crowd may not be so eager to get on his case.
It’s all Canada at the moment.
GOAL! Canada 1-0 USA (McKinnon 4:48)
A bit of possession for Canada, and McKinnon idly skates parallel to the blue line and then rips it through traffic over Hellebuyck’s right shoulder.
Updated
Canada 0-0 USA, 16:01 left, 1st period: Long shot blocked by Hellebuyck. Canada cycles it again but squanders it.
The USA go the other way and force Binnington into a big save.
The shot count on ESPN’s screen is not what they said it was earlier. It’s now 3-3. I’d wondered how they came up with four.
Canada 0-0 USA, 18:17 left, 1st period: Matthews has a solid angled shot on Binnington. That’s four shots for the USA to nil for Canada.
Canada 0-0 USA, 19:25 left, 1st period: We have started without fights. Just some minor shoving after Binnington covered up a US shot.
Or not – the ice crew has to clean up after the Pops.
Email from Gregory Butler: “Canadian here: you asked us for our thoughts on the game. As a Canadian, this opportunity to release some from the tension after all the Trump’s rhetoric and economic threatening of our country through a hockey game with the Americans is welcome. Finally an arena were we are evenly matched. The game reminds me of our match-ups against the Russians. It feels like a geopolitical event or maybe a duel. Like, “Let’s settle our differences on the ice.” But I’m curious what it is about the game that has attracted the Guardian to cover it. Hockey isn’t really in your country’s core consciousness. What draws you to a game like this?”
Personally, I’m American, and I fondly remember running around to celebrate in 1980. And the Capitals winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 might be my favorite sports moment.
Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington, ESPN reminds us, won the Stanley Cup for St. Louis in this arena, shutting down the Boston Bruins in 2019.
At last … hockey …
Once again, the PA announcer asks the crowd to respect the national anthems. For Canada, the singer is Chantal Kreviazuk, who had some great songs in the 90s. Surrounded was my favorite, but the whole album is pretty good. Check it out. Some Canadians in the crowd sing along, and the smattering of boos faded into applause at the end.
Members of the Boston Pops, the orchestra that dominated the airwaves in the 1970s when we only had four networks and one was PBS, are playing along with the singing of the US anthem. It’s a little ponderous, to be honest.
TD Garden is buzzing! 🇺🇸🇺🇸 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/r2sHOthyGv
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 21, 2025
Updated
Wayne Gretzky is here as an honorary captain for Canada. He gets a respectful greeting from the US team and what seemed to be a mostly positive reaction from the crowd.
The USA’s honorary captain is 1980 gold medalist Mike Eruzione. He’s wearing a jersey with “Gaudreau” on the back in honor of the US player who died when a car ran into him while cycling.
Correction – Matthew Tkachuk did NOT scratch from this game. He’s in the starting lineup.
We return from a long ad break to see … the teams walking through the tunnels.
I have school in the morning. Can we get on with this, please?
As we wait, Justin Trudeau has entered the chat …
Playing for keeps. 🇨🇦 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/ZE26tesDyj
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 21, 2025
Updated
Yes, “game time” was 8 pm ET. No, I don’t know when it’s actually going to start. We have not gotten to the national anthems yet.
ESPN is hyping US goalie Connor Hellebuyck, with good reason – he’s allowed just two goals in two games with a .957 save percentage.
Oh, look – ESPN is using the Miracle speech and interspersing it with scenes from the current US team’s locker room.
This US team, though, is a slight favorite. These are seasoned pros, and this Canadian team isn’t the Soviet Union circa 1980.
Lineup notes
For the USA: Kyle Connor is out, Chris Kreider is in.
Canada has some illness-related changes, Sportsnet reports: Seth Jarvis and Thomas Harley are in, Travis Konecny and Josh Morrissey are out.
The USA will also be without Charlie McAvoy. (Update: Matthew Tkachuk, though, will play.)
Updated
Scotties update …
Pool B standings with one game remaining (which is … now):
5-2 Einarson (Manitoba)
5-2 Black (Nova Scotia)
5-2 Inglis (Ontario)
5-3 St. Georges (Quebec, with former US curler Jamie Sinclair)
4-3 Lawes (Manitoba)
4-3 Cameron (Manitoba)
Three teams make the playoffs. First tiebreaker is head-to-head, so computing all the scenarios is next to impossible. But we know the second tiebreaker, which is LSD (not the psychedelic, but a measure of who can get draws closest to the button): Lawes, St. Georges, Einarson, Black, Cameron, Inglis
Current scores:
Inglis 3-1 Galusha (Inglis just now made a shot for 3)
Black 2-2 Cameron
Lawes 1-1 Einarson
The Canadians have raised their AI meme game.
Democratic senator Cory Booker posted on BlueSky to express what, in simpler times, would be no more controversial than “root, root, root for the home team.”
The responses have been … unkind.
With that, we’ll let the political subtext of this one slide for a while. This game seems more fraught with geopolitical intrigue than the Lake Placid “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, though, doesn’t it? The Miracle was so named because a bunch of college kids beat what was in essence a professional national team, with the Cold War tensions present but not the main story.
Shall we watch the pregame speech from the Miracle on Ice as depicted in the film Miracle?
Updated
This game will be in Boston, which means it’s a bit less likely that the crowd will boo the US national anthem.
But Canada’s locker room looks comfortable, doesn’t it? (See picture below.)
Updated
Welcome to tonight’s boxing …
Oops, no … welcome to tonight’s political roundtable …
Oops, no … apparently, this is a hockey game.
And it is indeed the second-most-important sports event in Canada this evening after, of course, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women’s curling championship that could see a six-way tie for three places in the playoffs.
If you happen to be watching the Scotties (unlike us poor folks in the USA who are stuck without live coverage), feel free to drop me an email or two over the course of the evening. I’ll keep you up to date on the punching – I mean, politics – I mean, puck action.
How to watch Canada v USA
Obviously the perfect way to watch the game is via this very live blog. But we understand you may want to see actual moving images.
The game will take place at TD Garden in Boston at 8pm ET on Thursday night (aka tonight). In the US, you can watch it on ESPN, ESPN+ or stream on Fubo or Disney+. In Canada, tune into Sportsnet or TVA Sports.
Updated
Beau will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s a little something on the background to tonight’s game:
As usual, Canadians approached the latest international hockey tournament, the 4 Nations Face-Off, with worry. Despite top-tier talent and historic winning pedigree, the feeling that Canada could be off its game is a perennial concern. But in 2025, it is particularly profound – mostly because of the Americans.
Since the last time Canada played the US at an elite tournament in 2016, Canadians have watched the American program grow stronger and deeper, while Canada’s own has lost focus. Among the most pressing going concerns has been goaltending. Canada – or Québec more accurately – produced dominant goalies in excess for decades. No longer. They’re all Americans now.
The world juniors two months ago didn’t help things. Canada crashed out of that tournament on home ice with a squad few thought accurately represented the country’s top talent (which Hockey Canada, in typical national fashion, all but apologized for this week). Then the Americans won the whole thing (again), with a team that was about as stacked as they could make it.
So, if reputation redemption, or a simple recalibration of hockey dominance, was all that was at stake during Saturday night’s spicy contests between Canada and the US – the Americans came from behind to win 3-1 – it still would have been a doozy. And make no mistake, bragging rights were on the line. But there was more to it.
You can read the full article below:
