The 4 Nations Face-Off is taking place Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston. The Devils have three players taking part in the tournament: Jack Hughes (USA), Jesper Bratt (Sweden), and Erik Haula (Finland).
Check out the notebook below for the latest info, updates, interviews, videos, and more from games and practices throughout the week in Boston!
Full coverage from Montreal
4 Nations has shifted from one great hockey city to another. The Montreal half of the tournament wrapped up Saturday night and all four teams traveled to Boston to continue this best-on-best tournament. Sweden and the United States did not practice but held media availabilities on Sunday. Both teams will hold a morning skate Monday. Finland, who plays the early game tomorrow, held practice at TD Garden.
Going into the final round robin games on Monday, USA Hockey is the only team with a ticket booked to Thursday’s Championship game. Depending on different scenarios and outcomes tomorrow, the Devils could have two players facing off in the final game. For now, it’s just Team USA and Devils Alternate Captain Jack Hughes.
USA Hockey enters this half of the tournament with a more favorable crowd. Hughes discussed what he’s expecting when he is a part of the “home team” in Boston.
“We were just in Montreal and it was a pretty hostile environment,” Hughes shared. “So we’re pumped to have (the crowd) on our side now. I know when we come in here (during the NHL season) it’s a pretty great building. Should be a lot of fun to have these guys on our side and a lot of USA flags, that’s super exciting.”
Hughes is one of the youngest players on Team USA and is learning from veteran American players. He discussed what he’s absorbed and what he could bring to his game from this experience.
“It is cool to see guys that I follow (from) around the league, that are great players, and I see them up close in the locker room,” Hughes explained. “(To) see how they are during the game and the way they prepare for games. I like what I do (to prepare) but you’re always learning and it’s good to see what guys are doing, so it’s been good for that.”
Jack Hughes speaks to the media on Sunday during the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament
Finland may not have been a part of last night’s USA vs. Canada rivalry game, but Erik Haula enjoyed watching the instant classic.
“I’m like everyone else, loved watching the game,” Haula shared. “It was a great hockey game, great players on the ice, intensity, and all that. I think it’s great for the game and just shows the passion the guys have playing for their country, and what it means for everyone.”
Haula was on a bus to his hotel in Boston when the game started but had started watching on his phone.
“We were on the bus on the way to the hotel, so I just figured I’d tune in,” Haula explained. “I had my one-year-old on my lap and just gave the phone to my four-year-old, and (then) three fights (to start) and I said ‘hey buddy, what’s going on over there.’ It was awesome. Obviously I tuned in and watched the rest of the game when we got to the hotel, great game.”
Finland may have lost their first game of 4 Nations, 6-1, but they rebounded with a 4-3 overtime win against their rivals, Sweden. When discussing the emotions and turning things around, Erik Haula discussed moving forward quickly.
“Short tournament, you got to take the positives and learn from your mistakes,” Haula said after Sunday’s practice. “Obviously we didn’t play a 60 minute game and against a team like (USA) it’s gonna hurt you. The score was ugly but we didn’t really feel like it was the case necessarily. We played great hockey for two periods and it could have gone either way. Tough bounces and obviously we didn’t play our best so something we can learn from going into tomorrow, we have to be extra good for 60 and give ourselves a chance.”
Erik Haula speaks on Sunday before Finland plays Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off

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