You really cannot walk away describing this as anything but a major success.
While the National Hockey League sits in hiatus, hockey itself has grown leaps and bounds with the introduction this week (and last) of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
In a couple of words: Terrific entertainment.
The mini tournament featuring Canada, the U.S., Sweden and Finland calls it a day on Thursday night with the finale most, if not everyone, was gunning for – in Boston, it will be America versus the Great White North.
Lots to chew on as head toward the finish line.
So, let’s chew.
IT HAD TO BE YOU . . .
Yup. That popular ditty from the early 1920s popularized by Frank Sinatra in later years applies here.
It’s a safe wager that anyone residing in or near North America with even a passing interest in this tourney pined for a Canada-U.S. final. That ramped up even further following Saturday night’s regulation round tilt that featured those much-discussed ‘three fights in the opening nine seconds’ . . . and some dandy hockey as well.
Let’s face it, nice as it was to have a pair of talented squads from Sweden and Finland fill the pool, they were realistically viewed as window dressing. The undeniable meat of the series lay with the North American tandem.
That dinner order has been filled.
So, Thursday it is.
A refreshed Cale Makar – the best defenceman in hockey – will bolster Canada after skipping the previous dance between the two due to illness. The Americans will also be fresh choosing to rest stars like Matthew Tkachuk, Auston Matthews and Charlie McAvoy Monday night in a meaningless tilt with the Swedes (Canada had booked its ticket to the final, eliminating Sweden, earlier Monday with a regulation win over the Finns). There’s some doubt as to McAvoy’s availability but the rest of the wounded should play.
Three days off between games will give lads like Brad Marchand, Drew Doughty and the Tkachuks plenty of mic time to build this one up, not that it needs any help.
We’ll be checking out the ratings numbers after this is put to bed. Expect big, big numbers.
Team Canada facing Team USA?
Everyone’s happy.
TALKING TOEWS
Those of us in the east don’t get the opportunity to see him enough, but after casting eyes on Canada’s first three games of the series, is there any doubt that as good as Cale Makar is (and he is . . .), defence partner Devon Toews is the perfect complement for him.
The Abbotsford, B.C. wiz kid is something.
The word that pops into this mind is – smooth.
Rare is the case where you see a player with this blend of calm and capability. Not overly large, Toews is a smacking good example of brains over brawn.
Mistakes?
Hard to find.
A better first pass?
Harder.
Makes you wonder what the New York Islanders were thinking about five years ago when they sent the-then 25-year-old to Colorado for what now amounts to a sack of beans (two 2nd-round picks that didn’t pan out).
Toews stands in Makar’s shadow, and you can certainly understand why.
The most underrated player in the circuit?
You could make the case, especially after what we’re witnessing this week.
TOURNAMENT TALKING POINTS
With the preliminary round in the books, there are a few items that jump out concerning Canada and others.
One bad goal: The team’s Achilles heel was circled as netminding months before we even kicked off. To a degree, the portent has proven true. Jordan Binnington, a Cup winner with St. Louis, was named as the pony to ride on by head coach Jon Cooper, and they’ve stuck with it, and him. Binnington’s been good, not great. The most troubling issue is through the first three games he’s allowed one ‘bad’ goal each game. Could be a killer in an affair expected to be as tight as the upcoming Canada-U.S. final.
Now that’s coaching: Cooper’s mid-tourney line juggling paid off big time in Canada’s somewhat dominating disposal of the Finns on Monday afternoon. Connor McDavid saw a new set-up with Tampa’s Brayden Point and Mark Stone of Vegas alongside. Pure magic there. Cooper also constructed a smart ‘fourth’ line of Travis Konecny, Marchand and the human nail-gun (not mine, but a great descriptor) Sam Bennett. Mind you, having Makar back was about the best line juggle you could jiggle.
Tkachuks banged up: Both of them. Matthew sat out Monday night’s game against the Swedes but vows to skate Thursday. Brady exited in the first period on Monday and did not return after an awkward collision in the offensive zone. Fans in Sunrise and Ottawa might be cursing. The rest of the league is doing handstands.
Old-timers relishing rejuvenation: Doughty’s excelled with the Canadians which is remarkable given the amount of time, pre-tournament, that he’d been out. He’s still a pain in the butt to play against, and the LA King veteran’s added quick-thinking and decision-making to his resume. Meantime, the guy he battled with for years over the ‘who’s-the-best-defenceman-in-hockey’ debate is faring just as well if not better. Erik Karlsson’s enjoyed a strong series with the Swedes which will undoubtedly up the ante come trade deadline.
Same old, same old: Toronto GM Brad Treliving can’t be happy with what he’s been eye-balling. Mitch Marner scored an overtime winner in Canada’s opener but has been near invisible the entire show. This is playoff-style hockey at its absolute best and once again we’re seeing Marner outmatched physically when the game revs up. Cooper can’t find a place for him and subsequently Marner keeps dropping down the depth chart. Meantime, William Nylander’s been equally ineffective for Sweden, tallying two assists in three games. Both Nylander and Marner’s perimeter games are being exposed (again). Matthews also has but one helper in his two games with the States. His defensive game though has been stellar, and he remains one of the top face-off men in the entire set-to. Matthews has also shown a physical edge. One out of three ain’t bad, I guess.
OTTAWA SENATORS WEEK AHEAD:
No games scheduled due to 4 Nations Face-Off
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