For Lightning fans, one of the moments from the 4 Nations Faceoff that stuck out — and at the time made them cringe — was when Sweden’s Victor Hedman reared back for a slap shot that Canada’s Anthony Cirelli attempted to block with his body during the opening game.
The 4 Nations Face-off is scheduled to get underway starting on Wednesday, pitting the best NHL players from the United States, Finland, Canada and Sweden against one another for national pride and bragging rights.
"Hopefully I can keep it going," Hedman, Sweden's captain and No. 1 defenseman, said with a grin Tuesday, one day before his team faces Canada, coached by Cooper, in the first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off (8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS).
The 4 Nations Face-Off final is set. A 5-3 win for Canada in Monday's game against Finland has pushed it through to the championship game, where it will face the United States. The U.S. clinched its spot in the final with a 3-1 win over Canada on Saturday.
Instead, they found themselves eliminated from the tournament despite being the only one of the four teams that did not lose in regulation. Sweden finished 1-0-2-0, having also come out on the short end of a 4-3 overtime decision to Canada.
Victor Hedman and Team Sweden played their final game of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Feb. 17 against Team USA. They certainly went out on a positive note, defeating Team USA by a 2-1 final score.
MONTREAL — Nathan MacKinnon scored on the power play 56 seconds in off a no-look pass from Sidney Crosby, Mitch Marner got the overtime winner after Sweden rallied to tie, and Canada opened the 4 Nations Faceoff with a thrilling 4-3 victory on Wednesday night.
BOSTON — Team Sweden did not lose in regulation during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Swedes beat Team USA on Monday, albeit in a zero-meaning game for both teams, by a 2-1 score. Samuel Ersson, who did not make the initial roster,
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman was on the ice for the 3-2 Sweden ... Finland's overtime win tied them with Canada and Sweden. The Americans are currently locked into first place.
NHL writer Vince Mercogliano gives his predictions for Saturday’s USA vs Canada and Sweden vs Finland games in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off.