(WGR Sports Radio 550) - Team Canada came to play early on Monday afternoon, getting out to a 3-0 lead over Finland just 13:02 into the game. Despite a late comeback by the Finns in the third period, Canada was able to hold on to secure a berth in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game on Thursday against the United States in Boston.
Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), once again, proved he’s the shining star of the NHL, as he was absolutely flying for Canada. In three games, the Canadian forward has two goals and two assists for four points, and has been the best player in the tournament.
McDavid opened the scoring just 4:13 into the game when Finnish forward Roope Hintz (Dallas Stars) blindly passed the puck to McDavid up the middle. McDavid then made no mistake beating Finnish goaltender Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver Canucks).
Just 46 seconds later, Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers), who had three assists, made Mikko Rantanen (Carolina Hurricanes) turn the puck over in the neutral zone. Reinhart then sent away another speedster in Nate MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), who caught Lankinen off his angle and deep in his net for an easy goal.
Canada stretched the lead to 4-0 at 5:03 of the second period when MacKinnon scored again.
The Canadian superstar is tied for the tournament goal scoring lead with Finland's Mikael Granlund (Stars) and Team USA's Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning) with three.
After having a rough tournament, Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues) was playing a terrific game, absolutely robbing Granlund on the first shift of the game and making bell-ringer saves on Rantanen, Artturi Lehkonen (Avalanche) twice, and Kaapo Kakko (Seattle Kraken).
Binnington went back to being average in the third period, though, as Finland scored three goals in 5:24, two of which came in 23 seconds.
At 13:19, Esa Lindell (Stars) beat Binnington first from long range, and then Granlund scored with the goaltender pulled, taking a pass in the slot from Patrik Laine (Montreal Canadiens).
Just 23 seconds after that, with the goalie pulled again, Granlund got open in the middle and the forward made it 4-3.
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) finally said, 'Enough is enough,' 21 seconds after that, scoring an empty-net goal.
The Canadian captain and American defenseman Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) lead the 4 Nations Face-Off with five points in three games.
As for Buffalo Sabres defenseman, Henri Jokiharju finished the game with a shot on goal, two blocked shots, one hit, two giveaways and a minus-1 in 16:29 of ice-time. He finished the tournament with a goal and three shots on goal.
Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen did not suit up once for Finland, serving as the nation's third goaltender in the tournament.
The evening game in Boston meant absolutely nothing in the standings, as Sweden beat the U.S., 2-1.
Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators) was injured early in the game, and was held out the rest of the way as a precaution.
Others that didn’t play at all for the same reason were Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins), and Matthew Tkachuk (Panthers).
Jake Oettinger (Stars) played in goal for the Americans, giving Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) a rest.
Goal scorers in this game were Chris Kreider (New York Rangers) in his first game for Team USA, while Sweden got goals from Gustav Nyquist (Nashville Predators) and Jesper Bratt (New Jersey Devils).
As for Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, he picked up a shot on goal in 18:20 of ice-time on Monday night. He finishes his tournament for Sweden with a goal, six blocked shots, and two shots on goal.
In two games, Hellebuyck has a 1.00 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. For Canada, Binnington has a 2.60 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage.
That likely will have to improve on Thursday if Canada hopes to beat the U.S. in the championship game.