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Bryan Murphy
Sweden entered the final day of the 4 Nations Face-Off round robin without a win. Conversely, the USA hadn’t suffered a loss at the NHL international tournament.
That changed on Monday night, as the Swedes defeated the Americans 2-1 in Boston to end the round robin portion of the competition.
Chris Kreider scored 35 seconds into the game for the USA to send the Boston crowd at TD Garden into eruption. However, the American fans had next to nothing to cheer about after that tally, as Gustav Nyquist and Jesper Bratt each scored for Sweden before the end of the frame.
Neither side could find the back of the net in the final two periods, keeping it a 2-1 game until the final buzzer rang. Samuel Ersson made 32 saves in his first and only start of the 4 Nations Face-Off, besting Jake Oettinger (21 saves) on the opposing side.
WATCH:USA vs. Sweden at 4 Nations Face-Off LIVE on Sling
The USA already locked in a spot in the championship game on Thursday before the puck was dropped. Mike Sullivan’s team secured a place in the final last Saturday after beating Canada, leaving Monday’s game against the Swedes essentially meaningless. In addition, Sweden already was eliminated from the final with Canada's win in regulation earlier in the day on Presidents Day.
The big concern for the Americans is the health of the team. Matthew Tkachuk was held out of the game after he was banged up against Canada, as well as Charlie McAvoy and Auston Matthews, who are both dealing with upper-body injuries. To make matters worse, Brady Tkachuk played less than two minutes before he left the game after crashing into the post in the first period, and Vincent Trocheck hurt his hand as well.
The United States has three days to reset and get ready for a rematch against Canada on Thursday. The Americans bested their rivals last Saturday in Montreal, but the championship raises the stakes much higher.
The Sporting News provided updates and highlights from the USA vs. Sweden round-robin game at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
4 NATIONS FACE-OFF HQ
(All times Eastern)
10:43 p.m.: Sweden hangs on for a 2-1 win, picking up its first and only win of the 4 Nations Face-Off. The USA looked far from sharp, but all that matters now is that the Americans get healthy for Thursday’s championship against Canada.
10:39 p.m.: Timeout by the USA with 1:22 to go in the third period.
10:38 p.m.: Jake Oettinger heads to the USA bench with two minutes left. The Americans go with the extra attacker to try and find the equalizer.
10:35 p.m.: Jake Oettinger stones Filip Forsberg, and then stops Viktor Arvidsson moments later after Forsberg found his teammate on the backdoor.
10:29 p.m.: Kyle Connor jumps a D-to-D pass by Sweden in the offensive zone to spring Brock Nelson on a breakaway, but his shot missed the net high. It’s still 2-1 Sweden with 5:39 left in the frame.
Brock Nelson had a golden chance to tie it up at 2 but couldn’t convert 🇺🇸#4Nations pic.twitter.com/u9D4UxXcYL
10:22 p.m.: The USA get a lot of zone time on the power play, but can’t come through with the tying goal.
10:19 p.m.: Erik Karlsson clips Jake Guentzel up high with his stick, and the Swedish defenseman gets two for high-sticking. The USA goes to its third power play of the night with 12:01 remaining in regulation.
10:15 p.m.: Jack Eichel lands a heavy hit on Leo Carlsson that pops the bucket off the young Swedish forward, and TD Garden loves it. The USA hasn’t given the crowd much to cheer about since the Chris Kreider goal in the opening minute.
Nice little hit by Eichel pic.twitter.com/jaamvavS4H
10:12 p.m.: Viktor Arvidsson nearly slams home a rebound from a Rasmus Andersson shot, but his attempt hits the side of the net. This has been far from the start the USA wanted through the first five minutes of the third.
10:11 p.m.: A shot by Jaccob Slavin clangs off the iron. The USA have been the victims of a number of shots off the posts in this game.
Post #5 of the night for Team USA 🇺🇸#4Nations pic.twitter.com/SFnMBp7paZ
10:11 p.m.: The USA successfully killed off the Adam Fox penalty.
10:07 p.m.: Adam Fox cross-checks Lucas Raymond into the boards and he’ll sit for two minutes. That was far from a smart play by the USA defenseman. Sweden to its third power play just 1:11 into the third period.
10:06 p.m.: Jack Eichel nearly ties the game 30 seconds into the period, rushing to the net with the puck, but he can’t tuck it in around the outstretched Samuel Ersson. That looks like it hit the post.
Jack Eichel sneaks in for the partial breakaway but rings one off the post in tight 🇺🇸#4Nations pic.twitter.com/VP3TsPvZwd
10:06 p.m.: The third period is underway in Boston. Sweden holds a one-goal lead over the USA.
9:47 p.m.: A fairly uneventful period keeps it a 2-1 game heading into the third. Sweden certainly had the better chances in the period, pressuring Jake Oettinger on multiple occasions, but the team could not extend its lead. The Americans were particularly bad with the passing and turnovers, resulting in multiple shifts hemmed into their own zone. Shots on goal are 21-17 in favor of the USA entering the third.
9:44 p.m.: Jack Eichel has had a rough game on the USA side. The American center has turned the puck over multiple times, with a few lazy backhand passes to no one. His latest in the neutral zone resulted in a lengthy shift for Sweden in the offensive zone that ultimately didn’t hurt the USA, but it’s been an issue all night.
9:37 p.m.: After the USA power play ends, Sweden gets extended time in the offensive zone. Rasmus Dahlin had a couple good shots on Jake Oettinger, but the USA goaltender answered the call each time. Turnovers have been a real issue for the United States in the second, and were a main reason for Sweden’s sustained pressure during the latest sequence.
9:36 p.m.: Filip Forsberg is out of the box and it’s back to even strength.
9:31 p.m.: Filip Forsberg slashes Kyle Connor after taking exception to a hit, and he’ll sit for two minutes. The USA goes to its second power play of the night with 9:18 to go in the second.
9:29 p.m.: Matt Boldy knocks a bouncing puck to a wide open Brock Nelson at the side of the net, but his attempt wouldn’t go. Nelson crashed into Samuel Ersson, pushing the Sweden goalie into the crease on the play as well. Not sure how that wasn’t called, or how Sweden didn’t go after Nelson, but regardless, it’s still 2-1 Sweden as the halfway point of the period approaches.
9:23 p.m.: Noah Hanifin exits the box and it’s back to even strength. That was an ugly power play by Sweden, with no quality chances generated.
9:20 p.m.: A long stretch pass along the lines sends Viktor Arvidsson in behind the USA defense, and Noah Hanifin is called for hooking as he tries to disrupt Lucas Raymond, who was crashing the net. Sweden heads to its second power play four minutes into the second.
9:19 p.m.: Dylan Larkin takes exception to a hit from Ramsus Dahlin and gives him a few shoves after the whistle. For a game with no meaning, there have been a handful of scrums after the play has been blown dead.
9:14 p.m.: Second period is a go from Boston. Vincent Trocheck is on the USA bench, but Brady Tkachuk is not.
8:58 p.m.: It’s a one-goal lead for Sweden after 20 minutes of play. Chris Kreider opened the scoring just 35 seconds into the game for the USA, but Sweden settled down after, getting goals from Gustav Nyquist and Jesper Bratt to jump in front. The biggest concern for the USA is staying healthy, as both Brady Tkachuk and Vincent Trocheck were injured during the frame, with the latter seemingly hurting his hand in the final minute. Shots on goal favor the Americans, 11-8.
Sweden 2, USA 1
8:56 p.m.: GOAL! Sweden takes its first lead of the game with under a minute left in the first period as Jesper Bratt snipes a shot over the glove of Jake Oettinger. William Nylander hit Bratt in the slot off the rush, and the Swedish winger turned and fired a shot that found the back of the net. It’s 2-1 Sweden with 56 seconds left in the opening frame.
JESPER BRATT GIVES SWEDEN THE LEAD 👀 pic.twitter.com/5mucbvS8cl
8:49 p.m.: Good news for the USA — Brady Tkachuk is back on the bench.
USA 1, Sweden 1
8:45 p.m.: GOAL! Sweden ties the game up thanks to a deflection from Gustav Nyquist. The Swedish winger got his stick on a shot from the wall by Erik Karlsson, and it found its way under the arm of Jake Oettinger and just barely across the goal line. It’s 1-1 with 6:21 left in the first.
Gustav Nyquist answers right back for Sweden! 🙌 #4Nations
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/kzSeUR1oD1
8:42 p.m.: USA kills off the Matt Boldy penalty and it’s back to even strength.
8:38 p.m.: Brady Tkachuk is now heading to the locker room after crashing into the post a few minutes ago. The USA could be without both of the Tkachuks tonight if he doesn’t come back.
8:37 p.m.: The USA gets a couple pucks around the crease, but can’t capitalize on the power play. As Elias Lindholm exits the box, Matt Boldy is called for interference after knocking Mattias Ekholm down to the ice, and now Sweden’s power play goes to work.
8:34 p.m.: Elias Lindholm sails the puck over the glass in the neutral zone, and he’ll sit for delay of game. USA to its first power play 7:57 into the contest.
8:28 p.m.: Brock Nelson almost doubles the lead by slapping at a rebound off a Zach Werenski point shot, but Samuel Ersson slides his pad over for the save.
8:26 p.m.: Brady Tkachuk looks like he’s shaken up a bit after driving the net and falling into the post.
8:24 p.m.: Welcome to the 4 Nations Face-Off, Leo Carlsson. On his first shift of the tournament, the Swedish youngster is pummeled by none other than Brady Tkachuk, who then knocks Mattias Ekholm down seconds later. Don’t tell the USA winger this is a meaningless game.
Brady Tkachuk picked up where he left off, straight LEVELING dudes 😱 pic.twitter.com/bIGKwKbBoG
8:22 p.m.: Dylan Larkin nearly doubles the lead a minute after the Chris Kreider goal, but his shot from close range hits the posts and stays out.
Dylan Larkin hits the post after the Chris Kreider goal #4Nations #USAHockey pic.twitter.com/MzgDGAfLwS
USA 1, Sweden 0
8:20 p.m.: GOAL! Just 35 seconds into the game and Chris Kreider, in his first 4 Nations Face-Off game, opens the scoring. Zach Werenski drives the net and fires a shot off the pad of Samuel Erosson, and the rebound goes right to the driving Kreider. “Free Bird” blares from TD Garden, and the Boston crowd is buzzing early. 1-0 USA.
Chris Kreider puts USA on the board first! 💥 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/r2b7bNkO1o
8:20 p.m.: The puck is down for USA-Sweden as chants of “USA! USA! USA!” rain down from the crowd at TD Garden.
8:10 p.m.: Here’s how the lines shake out for both sides. Sullivan putting the lines in a blender with Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk out at forward.
Lines for USA 🇺🇸 vs Sweden 🇸🇪.
M. Tkachuk, McAvoy, Matthews out. Hellebuyck resting, Oettinger starting w/ Swayman backing up.
Rakell & Zibanejad out, Leo Carlsson in & Andersson also draws in w/ Sweden 🇸🇪 running 11/7. Ullmark scratched, Ersson gets the start.#4Nations… pic.twitter.com/Occ5RBvNoJ
7:48 p.m.: Changes to the Sweden lineup as well — Mika Zibanejad and Rickard Rakell are dealing with the flu, so Rasmus Andersson and Leo Carlsson are drawing into the lineup.
7:45 p.m.: A late change to the USA lineup — Auston Matthews won’t play tonight due to upper-body soreness. The Americans will play a man short, going with 11 forwards and six defensemen, as Matthews, McAvoy and Tkachuk rest up for the championship.
7:15 p.m.: Two other changes to the USA lineup — Matthew Tkachuk will sit tonight after he was banged up at the end of the Canada game. He said there was “no concern” after the game, but with the USA already locked into the final, the USA will keep him out. In addition Charlie McAvoy will sit as he reportedly is dealing with an upper-body injury. Chris Kreider draws in for Tkachuk while Jake Sanderson takes McAvoy’s spot.
7:05 p.m.: Linus Ullmark was supposed to get the nod in goal for Sweden, but he is feeling under the weather. As a result, Samuel Ersson gets his first action of the tournament. On the opposite side, Jake Oettinger gets the crease for the USA, as Mike Sullivan gives Conor Hellebuyck the night off.
6:50 p.m.: This game will not impact the championship, as that matchup already is decided. It will be Canada and the USA in the final, with both teams guaranteed to finish as the top-two teams in the standings.
*= injury replacement for Quinn Hughes, Canucks
*= injury replacement for William Karlsson, Golden Knights
**= injury replacement for Jacob Markstrom, Devils
Fans can watch USA vs. Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off on TNT or truTV on Monday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. ET.
For those without cable, Sling will have a live stream on its platform.
Puck drop for USA vs. Sweden is at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 17 at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass.
Fans can listen to USA vs. Sweden live on SiriusXM channel 91.
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Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.
