The second game of the NHL’s and NHLPA’s 4 Nations Face-Off is tonight. Jack Hughes and the United States takes on Finland in the tourney’s second game in Montreal. For those interested in the game, this is a post where that can be discussed.
Welcome to the 4 Nations Face-Off. The NHL’s and NHLPA’s bid to host and run international competition for the first time since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. Something to expect to return in 2028, by the way. The mid-season quasi-all-star tourney continues with the United States playing Finland. This and other posts like this will be your space at All About the Jersey to discuss what happens in those games.
There is a special rule for these posts: please no comments about how much you do not care about the tournament or how much it does not matter or so forth. I get it. Not everyone is excited for this. Please do not come into the comments in this post and add nothing to the conversation for the People Who Matter who are interested in this game and this tournament. Those who violate them may be warned, and banned for repeated offenses.
While most of the NHL is on a break, some of the best players in the world will be in form and performing with their nation’s compatriots on a grand scale. Tonight is the second game, Finland taking on the United States
The Time: 8 PM ET
The Broadcast: TV: ESPN, SportsNet, TVAS; Streaming: ESPN+
The Location: The Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The Matchup: United States vs. Finland
The Devils Involved: The Big Deal, Jack Hughes, will represent the Devils for a United States roster loaded with USNTDP alums (only 7 players on the roster never went through the USNTDP). He is also third among Americans in scoring in the NHL. For Finland, Erik Haula is expected to play as he returned to action for New Jersey since this past week.
The American Roster: Barring any last-minute injury replacements:
Forwards (13): Jack Eichel (Las Vegas), Kyle Connor (Winnipeg), Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida), Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay), Dylan Larkin (Detroit), Matt Boldy (Minnesota), Auston Matthews (Toronto), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa), J.T. Miller (Our Hated Rivals), Vincent Trocheck (Our Hated Rivals), Brock Nelson (NY Islanders), Chris Kreider (Our Hated Rivals)
Defensemen (7): Zach Werenski (Columbus), Adam Fox (Our Hated Rivals), Noah Hanifin (Las Vegas), Charlie McAvoy (Boston) Brock Faber (Minnesota), Jaccob Slavin (Carolina), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa)
Goaltenders (3): Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg), Jake Oettinger (Dallas), Jeremy Swayman (Boston)
The Finnish Roster: Barring any last-minute injury replacements:
Forwards (13): Mikko Rantanen (Carolina), Sebastian Aho (Carolina), Aleksander Barkov (Florida), Mikael Granlund (Dallas), Teuvo Teravainen (Chicago), Roope Hintz (Dallas), Anton Lundell (Florida), Artturi Lehkonen (Colorado), Kaapo Kakko (Seattle), Joel Armia (Montreal), Eetu Luostarinen (Florida), Patrik Laine (Montreal), Erik Haula (New Jersey Devils)
Defensemen (7): Esa Lindell (Dallas), Niko Mikkola (Florida), Olli Maatta (Utah), Urho Vaakanainen (Our Hated Rivals), Juuso Valimaki (Utah), Henri Jokiharju (Buffalo), Jani Hakanpaa (Toronto), Nikolas Matinpalo (Ottawa)
Goaltenders (3): Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver), Juuse Saros (Nashville), Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen (Buffalo)
The Rules: The usual rules still apply as if this was a Devils gamethread. No swearing, no personal attacks or beefs, no comments or links to illegal streams, and, as ever, play nice or you will not play at all. And remember the special rule at the top.
Enjoy the 4 Nations Face-Off!