The United States do not buy for hype as 4 nations Favorite: ‘Talent alone does not win’

Brossard, Que. – The United States has largely played second place for its North American neighbor in men’s hockey.

Canada’s recent dominance has included the topping of the podium at both the 2010 and 2014 Olympics before winning the World Cup in 2016.

But when NHL’s best return to the international scene for the first time in almost a decade, Americans win traction as a pre-tournament favorite of 4 Nations Face-off.

“The schedule itself is very special,” defender Charlie McAvoy said after skating with Zach Werenski on the talented ice surface on Monday. “Up and down there are superstar players all over the NHL. It’s great. “

However, the United States is trying to ignore hype.

“I don’t know if there is really any favorite,” said Captain Auston Matthews. “Every team here you can do that the argument could win it. I think we are sure of our team. We like our group. Just a matter of going out there and performing. “

Matthews-one NHL MVP and three-time leading goal scorer spearheads with a scary forward lineup that includes Vegas Center Jack Eichel, Winnipeg Sharpshooter Kyle Connor and Shifty New Jersey star Jack Hughes.

Vancouver defends Quinn Hughes, Jack’s brother, will miss the tournament with an lower body injury, but McAvoy, formerly Norris Trophy-winning Blueliner Adam Fox and company is more than capable of picking up the load.

Their biggest advantage is in the crisis, where Vézina Trophy -Favorit Connor Hellebuyck exceeds a stacked trio by Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman. All three net memories would undoubtedly serve nodded as Canada’s # 1.

So how does head coach Mike Sullivan address the soaring expectations with his team?

“Talent alone doesn’t win,” he said. “So our challenge is to become a team. We really are not worried about what people think, who is the favorite, who is not the favorite. You have to go out and earn it and it starts with the first game. That’s how we look at it.

“Each team has game switches, each team has really good defenders, there are four really good hockey teams that will compete against each other.”

Most sports books show Canada and the US as a co-favorite in the tournament, which also contains Sweden and Finland, but even Sidney Crosby will not argue against the proposal that the Americans have an edge on paper.

“I think it’s fair,” Captain said, “you look at their team and depth, and you see how they have done it internationally, there will always be some stories.

“It’s really about our group and makes sure we do everything we can to be best, whether it’s US or Sweden or Finland, there are some good teams.”

The United States undertakes Finland in the Bell Center on Thursday a day after Canada meets Sweden to open the tournament.

The long -standing rivals are then facing in a highly expected match on Saturday.

“It’s the best in hockey, the best in sports, like US-Canada rivaling, that’s what you grew up to see,” McAvoy said.

Sandy gets the call

Ottawa Senators defender Jake Sanderson prepared for a holiday at the beach during the NHL’s two-week break.

He was more than happy to cancel these plans and fly to Frigid Montreal when US Hockey came and called.

“This is an opportunity for once in a life,” he said Monday. “There’s no way I should reject it.”

Four days earlier, Sanderson was asked to be ready in case Hughes couldn’t take the trip. He was officially appointed to replace Hughes on the American blue line on Sunday night.

“Found out last night, around five o’clock and tried to get on the plane as fast as I could to get hit,” said Sanderson, skating as the US’s seventh defender on Monday. “I shake. I was so excited to call my parents.”

Public enemy no longer?

Boston Bruin’s Captain Brad Marchand is used to hearing Boos counting down from the Bell Center amount. Now that he wants to sport the red-white for Canada, these Jeers can approach cheer.

“We haven’t seen it yet, so it can’t happen,” he said, “maybe heies for the team, but he didn’t for me.

“No, it will be great. I think that’s the big thing about Canada. When you cheer for Team Canada, everyone comes together and sues it. It will be short -lived, but I will enjoy it while it lasts. “

Rantan good to go

Finland’s head coach Antti Pennan said alternative Captain Mikko Rantanen is healthy enough to play over the next two weeks.

Rantanen-Star Winger recently traded from Colorado to Carolina in a blockbuster-passed on Saturday against Utah due to an lower body injury.

This report from the Canadian press was first published on February 10, 2025.