The US and Canada will fight once more in four Nations Face Off Championship Games. But the Americans are affected by an injury bug heading towards a vital matchup for international hegemony on Thursday.
The US made a cautious mistake in Monday’s match against Sweden. With the Americans’ achievements already set to stone, coach Mike Sullivan chose to take the rest of Orton Matthews, Matthew Tokachuk and Connor Helebuick among others in preparation for Thursday’s huge showdown with Canada .
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Chris Wengel
“We hope to get some of these guys back,” Sullivan said. “We’ll expect it.”
When they enter the rematch, both teams do not have a number of key players. The depth of the Canada Blue Line has already been tested in this tournament after losing Vegas Golden Knights teammates Cia Theodore and Alex Pie Trangelo. Theodore was injured in the opening game of the team against Sweden, and Pietlanguero bowed due to illness.
Canadians have many issues, but the focus is on the American star and its status on Thursday. Let’s take a closer look at the injured players and who can match the finals.
Charlie McAvoy
Boston Bruins defensive man Charlie McAvoy missed Monday’s game against Sweden due to an upper body injury. On Tuesday, the Bruins announced that McAvoy was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital the day before he was tested for his injuries. As a result, McAvoy misses Thursday’s match against Canada.
According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceff, the injury is linked to infections caused by minor injuries. There are no long-term concerns about McAvoy’s health, but the American Blue Liner cannot fit on Thursday.
Also on Tuesday, Sullivan announced that Vancouver Canuck defensive man Quinn Hughes is traveling to Boston to replace McAvoy on the American roster, according to Athletics Chris Johnston.
Hughes is on his way to Boston, but the Canucks defenseman cannot practice or play unless the US Blue Line suffers another injury. The Americans now have six healthy defenders, even after McAvoy was ruled out in the championship game.
Hughes was one of the first six players to be selected for the US roster for the tournament, but withdrew before the start of the four-state showdown due to concerns about injuries.
McAvoy, who served as assistant captain for the US, recorded ice time at 19:27 and had five hits in Saturday’s matchup against Canada. On Monday, Ottawa Senator defender Jake Sanderson was drawn into the lineup in place of McAvoy.
Matthew Tokachuk
The nature of Matthew Tokachuk’s injury has not been revealed before the championship game. However, the American forward missed the third period of Saturday’s victory over Canada.
Tkachuk has been proven to be the power of the United States through four nations’ showdowns. The Florida Panthers star has skated with his lines with his brother Brady Tokachuk and Vegas Golden Knights Center Jack Aychel. During the Monday airing, Tkachuk said he plans to play on Thursday.
Tkachuk gathered two goals and assists to start the tournament with a 5-1 victory over Finland in the US. Tkachuk told reporters on Wednesday that he was playing on Thursday. “I’m ready because I don’t want to miss it.”
Brady Tokachuk
The US had already highlighted the group heading into Thursday’s championship game, but forward Brady Tokachuk has been downed and his name was added to the injury report.
Tkachuk was forced to leave Monday’s match due to a private injury. It was announced that Tkachuk will not be returning for the rest of the game after falling around the net later in the opening period. After the game, Sullivan revealed that Tkachuk was offered for “preventive reasons”, but his injury should not prevent the Ottawa Senator star from playing against Canada .
“We’ll see how it reacts, but we don’t expect it to be a problem,” Sullivan said when asked about Tkachuk’s status.
Orton Matthews
Toronto Maple Leafs star Orton Matthews was released from Monday’s game due to an upper body injury. Sullivan revealed that Matthews’ absence is a precautionary measure after being “knipped up” in the team’s previous match against Canada.
Matthews is held in two games without points during the round robin tournament, so there is an incentive to play back to his superstar ability.
