With that objective, MacKinnon secured probably the most targets within the 4 Nations match and was awarded MVP. Going into the break, MacKinnon additionally led the NHL in factors with 87 in 57 video games; he confirmed that not solely has he been the perfect participant within the NHL, however the perfect participant amongst worldwide superstars.
Canada nonetheless tops the USA in hockey, for now
With a politically charged setting, the Canada-United States 4 Nations remaining was extremely anticipated. Not solely that, however because the U.S. is catching as much as Canada when it comes to NHLers (41% to 29%), many in the USA have been enthusiastic about arguably the perfect American workforce ever.
What happened was probably the greatest worldwide hockey video games in current reminiscence. The groups have been evenly matched — Canada had 27 photographs, 25 hits and gained 32 faceoffs, whereas the U.S. had 33 photographs, 28 hits and likewise gained 32 faceoffs.
In such a decent match, the People confirmed that they’ll hold with the Canadians, and the Canadians confirmed that regardless of their nationwide delight in hockey, the U.S. could also be nearer within the sport than they suppose.
Olympics would be the greatest worldwide match but
With such an important match that includes 4 elite hockey international locations, the 2026 Olympics, the primary to characteristic NHL expertise since 2014, will probably be as anticipated as ever.
As NHL gamers acquired excited for what was, primarily, an exhibition match, they’re sure to play laborious for Olympic gold. With stars resembling Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Victor Hedman, Aleksander Barkov and Juuse Saros within the 4 Nations Face-Off, and different international locations’ stars like Leon Draisaitl (Germany), David Pastrnak (Czechia) and Nikita Kucherov (Russia) becoming a member of them in 2026, it is certain to be the perfect ever worldwide match produced.