Because the 4 Nations Face-Off has come to an finish, now could be the time to evaluation some standout gamers in addition to disappointing gamers. In such a brief match, it’s essential to face out rapidly. In any other case, confidence might be misplaced simply as quick. This superior match gave us some prime examples of each performances. Listed here are a few of the finest and worst-performing gamers of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
4 Nations Standouts
Zach Werenski, USA
Zach Werenski was arguably one of the best participant within the match. As a defenseman, he led the 4 Nations Face-Off in factors, which truthfully was not an enormous shock contemplating how properly he has performed for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Werenski would have been the favorite to win match MVP for Workforce USA. Sadly, they fell simply quick as soon as once more to Canada.
America has had loads of success with latest defensemen in Worldwide play. Cole Hutson led the earlier World Junior Event in factors, and now Zach Werenski led the 4 Nations.
Nathan MacKinnon, Canada
Nathan MacKinnon was one of the best participant within the match and in the end won tournament MVP. He was by far Workforce Canada’s most constant ahead, who always drove the offense for the crew. MacKinnon led the match in targets and scored some crucial ones alongside the best way. He opened the scoring towards Sweden on opening evening, scored twice in a must-win recreation towards Finland, then capped it off with a gap aim within the championship recreation.
Teammate Connor McDavid earns some respect as properly for scoring the championship-winning aim in additional time. It was a pleasure getting to observe these guys play collectively.
Honorable point out also needs to go to goaltender Jordan Binnington. He silenced many naysayers within the remaining recreation after letting in a number of gentle targets throughout the opening video games.
Mikael Granlund, Finland
Mikael Granlund had a really spectacular match. He was one of the best participant on Workforce Finland and had two standout moments in three video games. His additional time winner towards their rival Sweden was the most effective moments of the match. That aim gave Finland some hope after a crushing loss to the US.
Within the following recreation, he potted two targets towards Workforce Canada within the remaining minutes. This was nearly a part of a legendary comeback for Finland earlier than Sidney Crosby sealed the take care of an empty-netter. The Dallas Stars acquired an excellent one in Mikael Granlund.
4 Nations Disappointments
Vancouver Canucks ahead Elias Pettersson was arguably essentially the most disappointing participant within the match. He performed in all three video games, placing up zero factors and solely two pictures on internet. Pettersson has struggled within the common season as properly. There have been fixed on-and-off rumors of him being concerned in potential trades. His efficiency within the 4 Nations Face-Off definitely didn’t improve his commerce worth.
Juuse Saros, Finland
Juuse Saros had a reasonably weak efficiency within the 4 Nations Face-Off. In his protection, Workforce Finland had the worst defensive core within the match. The accidents to Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Jani Hakanpaa had been a major motive for his or her poor efficiency.
It’s additionally honest to argue Saros might have been higher. A star goalie wants to point out up in such a brief match. Saros put collectively a weak .870 save share and a 3.96 goals-against common in two appearances. He wanted to be higher for Finland from the beginning.
Jack Hughes, USA
Jack Hughes was simply essentially the most disappointing participant for Workforce USA. He solely had one help within the match and appeared misplaced when he was on the ice. He was knocked off the puck so many instances it grew to become exhausting to observe. Almost each shift, he fell and would draw back from the physicality of play.
It was shocking to see Kyle Connor get scratched for the championship recreation as an alternative of Hughes. The pace that Kyle Connor performs with would have been more practical in final evening’s recreation.
Up Subsequent: Priorities for the Oilers Coming Out of the 4 Nations Break
