What we learned in Canada’s thrilling win over Sweden in 4 Nations Face-Off opener
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Ryan S. Clark
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Greg Wyshynski
The opening game of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off was quite a bit closer than the Canadian fans in Montreal might have liked, but their side earned a victory over Sweden, 4-3 in overtime.
A victorious Canada earns two points in the standings for the OT win, while the Swedes get one. Sweden’s next matchup is against Finland on Saturday (1 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+), while Canada will next play Saturday against the United States (8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+/Disney+).
But before closing the books on this contest, let’s grade both teams, identify our biggest takeaways, and look ahead to the key players to watch and biggest questions for each team’s next game.
Grading the teams
Canada: B
It’s hard to give Canada anything less than a ‘B’ grade here, even if they might have earned something lower. Squandering a 2-0 first-period lead and a 3-1 third-period lead to wind up in overtime meant Canada couldn’t earn a 3-point regulation win over Sweden. But they did earn two points for an overtime win thanks to Mitch Marner‘s heroics at 6:06 of a frantic extra session — cashing in on Sidney Crosby‘s third primary assist of the game.
So it’s a ‘B’ on a curve. They won the game. They did so playing five defensemen for over two periods, thanks to an injury to Shea Theodore. At times they looked like an unstoppable hockey machine that could score at will and limit an opponent’s chances to nil. At other times, they looked like a group of star players who had limited practice time together and occasionally tried to do too much on their own.
But victory was theirs, heading into Saturday night’s showdown with the Americans. The sweetest part: That Sidney Crosby, whose status for the tournament was up in the air after missing the Penguins’ last two games, was the best player on the ice. (With Mario Lemieux in the house watching, no less.) — Greg Wyshynski
Sweden: B-
Was the takeaway from Sweden’s first game the fact it fell behind by two goals before the first period ended? Or is it more about the fact that it overcame a two-goal deficit to send the game to OT — and nearly win it on a few chances?
The first period deficit was somewhat rectified by a far more cohesive second period that saw Sweden cut the lead to 2-1. But that’s when Sweden relied on its collective. There was Rasmus Dahlin clearing the puck out of the crease. Victor Hedman was among those actively using their sticks in the passing lane, while others such as Viktor Arvidsson were delivering checks. Joel Erikkson Ek was nearly the hero, scoring the game-tying goal while drawing Sweden’s first penalty.
It was the sort of overall performance that reinforces why Sweden could be a problem in this tourney. But falling behind early also spoke to how Sweden’s opening game could have been different if those problems could have been avoided. — Ryan S. Clark
What we learned
Canada’s PP1 is the scariest thing in hockey
While the 4 Nations Face-Off replaced the NHL All-Star Game this season, Canada’s top power-play unit is a suitable stand-in for superstars making magic together.
Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Sam Reinhart … that’s like a human cheat code. They were as unstoppable as advertised in the first minute of the tournament, after William Nylander took a high-sticking penalty at 44 seconds. Makar kept the puck at the blue line, leading to McDavid and Crosby briefly playing catch near the boards. Sid sent a blistering backhand pass across the crease to an open MacKinnon who buried his chance for the 1-0 lead.
When asked how he’d stop that quintet, Brad Marchand joked: “I would probably put three goalies in the net and just let them try to do the job.” Not even that trio would have prevented this goal. — Wyshynski
What if Sweden didn’t have a slow start?
Instead of losing in overtime, perhaps Sweden is the one walking away winning its opening game of the tournament. Either way, it’s one of the questions that the Tre kronor will be left ruminating about entering its Saturday showdown against Finland.
But think back to how this game started: It’s one thing to take a penalty within the first minute. But surrendering a goal within the first 20 seconds of the power play — then giving up a second goal before you can even get off your first shot? And not getting off your first shot until 4:45 remaining in the first period? This was far from the start Sweden sought. In fact, Canada had a 60% shot share in the first period, reinforcing how much it controlled possession.
Falling into that two-goal deficit also underscored why Sweden needed to rely on its collective, which it did. Sweden had three different goal scorers, while Filip Gustavsson kept extending the game until Marner’s overtime winner. But there were still challenges — such as how Sweden had a hard time consistently generating high-danger scoring chances, or how it didn’t draw a penalty until the third period.
Sweden showed it can come back after falling behind. But how will that work if it falls into another early hole Saturday versus Finland? Can it find a breakthrough against Juuse Saros? And what would that look like against the United States on Monday knowing Sweden would be trying to find an opening against reigning Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck? — Clark
Is there a Canadian goalie controversy?
Canada coach Jon Cooper anointed St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington as his opening game starter over Adin Hill (Vegas) and Sam Montembeault (Montreal), and watched him give up three goals on 23 shots with varying degrees of fault.
Sweden’s first goal wasn’t completely on Binnington, as Jonas Brodin scored on a moving screen by Rickard Rakell. Adrian Kempe‘s goal was a manageable shot from the slot. Joel Eriksson Ek‘s goal was the product of a great Jesper Bratt pass, but Binnington did him a favor by swimming in his crease. Binnington’s best period was overtime, with a couple of game-saving stops before Marner’s goal.
“This kid has played in some huge moments, some big games, he’s a competitor,” Cooper said when he named Binnington the starter. “These other guys will be ready to go if anything happens.”
So did enough happen against Sweden for Cooper to give the crease to Hill — a Stanley Cup winner for the Golden Knights — or Montembeault on Saturday night against Team USA? That’s a mystery. What’s clear is that concerns about goaltending being the formidable Team Canada’s Achilles heel have not been assuaged. — Wyshynski
Sweden’s third goal could unlock something
Getting a game-tying goal was clearly crucial. But the way Lukas Raymond and Jesper Bratt combined to set up Eriksson Ek’s tally in the third period was unlike any other goal that Sweden scored to that point.
Canada’s defensive structure was predicated on forcing Sweden into taking longer-distance shots as a way to make it easier for Jordan Binnington to track the puck. And while Sweden scored two goals from distance thanks to Jonas Brodin and Adrian Kempe, it struggled to find high-danger scoring chances at the net front that Canada created at various points throughout the game.
Eriksson Ek won the faceoff in Canada’s zone and then had the wherewithal to get to the net front that allowed him a chance to either screen Binnington or have what would be one of the easier scoring chances of the evening. He found the latter and it gave Sweden a path toward finding more of those opportunities. This tactic could prove useful over the next several days. — Clark
Players to watch
The most talented player in the world had a secondary assist on MacKinnon’s power-play goal, but nothing else to speak of against Sweden. He had one shot on goal in the game and didn’t generate any in overtime, where MacKinnon (four shots) seemed to do what McDavid usually does.
Since entering the NHL, McDavid is tied with Crosby for the third-most 3-on-3 overtime goals during that span. Canada obviously won’t mind if McDavid needed a game to get his bearings before unleashing the fury on Team USA. Maybe he was like the rest of us and was too memorized by a 37-year-old Sidney Crosby dominating the game to focus on himself. — Wyshynski
There’s an argument to be had for Eriksson Ek considering he scored the game-tying goal and drew Sweden’s lone penalty. But what Gustavsson did in regulation allowed Sweden to survive giving up high-danger scoring chances at a rate of 2-to-1, according to Natural Stat Trick.
But where it became even more evident was how the Minnesota Wild goaltender repeatedly stopped shots from some of the game’s most dangerous players — such as stopping Nathan MacKinnon on multiple occasions in overtime — before Marner’s game-winning goal. — Clark
Big questions for the next game
What will Canada do without Shea Theodore?
Becoming well-versed in 4 Nations injury replacement policy was the last thing Canadian fans wanted to do during the tournament opener. But now they know there’s no reinforcements other than who’s already on the roster with defenseman Shea Theodore out for the rest of the event, according to Jon Cooper.
The Vegas Golden Knights defender injured his hand while bracing himself on a hit by Sweden’s Adrian Kempe. He left during the second period and did not return for the third. Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim is the only blue-line reserve for Team Canada.
Tournament rules state that a team has to fall below 18 healthy skaters in order to bring in one not currently on the roster as a replacement. So it’ll be Sanheim on Saturday night vs. Team USA. And if they lose another defenseman … well, might want to keep the phone near you on the beach, snubbed Canadians. — Wyshynski
Which version of Sweden will show up against Finland?
Will we see the version of Sweden that fell into an early deficit and had to slowly piece its way back into tying the game? Or will it see the version that found ways to control possession and score goals despite playing against a defensive structure that was designed to force shots from distance?
Take away Mark Stone‘s goal, and the way Sweden performed in that middle frame provides insight on why this is an intriguing team in this event. Relying on its two-way ability to support Gustavsson — with the premise it could lead to goals — played into the strategy on how Sweden could win games.
Overcoming that two-goal deficit and forcing overtime against what’s considered to be the tournament favorite further proves that Sweden is dangerous, and could end up hurting someone’s feelings. But that’s only if Sweden can find a way to replicate what it did from the second period on against two teams in Finland and the U.S. who have two of the premier goalies in the world. — Clark
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Adam Rittenberg
Cincinnati freshman football player Jeremiah Kelly, an early enrollee who went through spring practice with the team, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning at his residence.
The school didn’t disclose a cause of death.
Kelly, an 18-year-old offensive lineman from Avon, Ohio, helped his high school team to a 16-0 record and a state championship last fall.
“The Bearcats football family is heartbroken by the sudden loss of this outstanding young man,” Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said in a statement. “In the short time Jeremiah has spent with our team, he has made a real impact, both on the field and in our locker room. My prayers are with the Kelly family and those who had the pleasure of knowing Jeremiah.”
Cincinnati completed its spring practice session last week.
“We’ve suffered a heartbreaking loss today,” Cincinnati athletic director John Cunningham said in a statement. “All of us at UC send our love and prayers to the Kelly family and we will do everything that we can to support them and our Bearcats student-athletes in the difficult days and weeks ahead.”
Seven of eight first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs have begun, and No. 8 gets rolling on Tuesday.
The Battle of Florida between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers begins anew (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), with both clubs looking like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender if they can survive the intrastate showdown.
Cats-Bolts is the third game of four Tuesday on the ESPN family of networks, following New Jersey–Carolina (6 p.m. ET, ESPN) and Ottawa–Toronto (7:30 p.m., ESPN2), and preceding the nightcap, Minnesota–Vegas (11 p.m. ET, ESPN).
What are the key storylines heading into Tuesday’s games? Who are the key players to watch?
Read on for game previews with statistical insights from ESPN Research, recaps of what went down Monday night, and the Three Stars of Monday Night from Arda Öcal.
Matchup notes
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 2 (CAR leads 1-0) | 6 p.m. ET | ESPN
Game 1 sure did not go as planned for the Devils. A win at the legendarily loud Lenovo Center would’ve been stretching it, but losing Brenden Dillon, Cody Glass and Luke Hughes to injury was not an ideal outcome either.
They’ll hope to rebound Tuesday before the series shifts to Newark. Closing the shot attempt differential might help, as the famously possession-savvy Hurricanes held a 45-24 edge on shots on goal in Game 1.
For years, the knock on Carolina was that it lacked that one goal scorer who could get the Canes over the hump in the playoffs. Many observers thought the Canes had acquired such a player in Mikko Rantanen in January. Ironically, it was the player Carolina acquired in its subsequent trade of Rantanen to Dallas — Logan Stankoven — who scored two goals in Game 1. Will he add to that total in Game 2?
Of note heading into Tuesday’s game, the Devils have come back to win a playoff series after losing the first game 11 out of 26 times (42%); that figure drops to 20% if they fall behind 0-2. The Hurricanes have won six of their past seven series after winning Game 1.
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 2 (TOR leads 1-0) | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2
The atmosphere was intense for Game 1, and the Maple Leafs’ “Core Four” led the way: Mitch Marner (one goal, two assists), William Nylander (one goal, one assist), John Tavares (one goal, one assist) and Auston Matthews (two assists) each filled up the scoresheet. A continuation of that output will obviously help Toronto overwhelm its provincial neighbor.
Slowing down the Maple Leafs could depend on discipline, according to Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk. “We took too many penalties, they scored on [them] and that’s the game,” Tkachuk told reporters after Game 1. “So that’s on us. We’ve got to be more disciplined.”
The Sens will also need to capitalize on their chances. According to Stathletes, Ottawa had five high-danger scoring chances in this game, and produced only two goals.
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1 | 8:30 p.m ET | ESPN
This is the fourth time that the two Sunshine State franchises have met in the postseason, and all four of the meetings have occurred since 2021.
In each instance, the winner of the series has gone on to reach the Stanley Cup Final — Lightning in 2021 and 2022; Panthers in 2024 — while the 2021 Lightning and 2024 Panthers won it all.
Unsurprisingly, Nikita Kucherov is Tampa Bay’s leading scorer against Florida, with 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 15 games. Aleksander Barkov is the Panthers’ leading scorer against the Lightning, with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 15 games.
The two teams split their meetings in the regular season, with the Lightning winning the most recent, 5-1 on April 15.
Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 2 (VGK leads 1-0) | 11 p.m. ET | ESPN
The underdog Wild set a physical tone to the series in Game 1, outhitting the Golden Knights 54-29, but the hosts emerged with a 4-2 victory. Tomas Hertl, Pavel Dorofeyev and Brett Howden (two) were the goal scorers for Vegas, and Matt Boldy was responsible for both Minnesota goals.
Howden, who had never scored double-digit goals until his 23 this season, earned praise from coach Bruce Cassidy after Game 1. “He didn’t change his game,” Cassidy told reporters. “He played physical. He’s part of our penalty kill. He’s always out when the goalie’s out, typically one of the six guys we use a lot because of his versatility. He can play wing. He can take draws as a center. He’s been real good for us all year and good again tonight.”
Sunday’s game was the NHL debut for 2024 first-round pick Zeev Buium, who just finished his season with the University of Denver. He played 13 minutes, 37 seconds and finished with one shot on goal.
Arda’s Three Stars of Monday
The greatest goal scorer in NHL history just keeps finding the back of the net. He had two goals, including the overtime winner, as the Caps take Game 1 3-2 despite a valiant third period effort from Montreal to send it to the extra frame.
Connor had the game-winning goal in the third period for the second straight game, as Winnipeg takes both games at home for the 2-0 series lead on the Blues.
Further proof that the Oilers are never out of the game, McDavid helped erase a 4-0 deficit with a goal and three assists, despite the Oilers falling 6-5 late in a thrilling Game 1.
Monday’s scores
Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Washington leads 1-0
Much of the regular season was spent focused on Alex Ovechkin‘s “Gr8 Chase” of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record, and he scored historic goal No. 895 on Sunday, April 6. It turns out, Ovi likes the spotlight. The Capitals superstar opened the scoring in the game, and bookended it with the overtime winner — his first ever, believe it or not — as the Caps survived a thriller in Game 1, following Nick Suzuki‘s tying goal with 4:15 remaining. Full recap.
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Alex Ovechkin’s OT goal wins Game 1 for Capitals
Alex Ovechkin’s second goal of the game is an overtime winner that gives the Capitals a 1-0 series lead vs. the Canadiens.
Jets 2, Blues 1
Winnipeg leads 2-0
Game 1 between the two clubs was tightly contested until the Jets took over in the third period. That trend took hold again on Monday — the score remained tied into 1-1 the third period, when Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor scored at the 1:43 mark, and the Jets were able to hold the Blues off the scoreboard for the duration. Connor’s linemate Mark Scheifele assisted on the game-winner and opened the scoring, giving him a league-leading five points this postseason. Full recap.
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Kyle Connor scores clutch goal to put Jets ahead in 3rd period
Kyle Connor extends Winnipeg’s lead after a clutch goal early in the 3rd period vs. St. Louis.
Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
Series tied 1-1
The series that every observer thought would be the closest in the first round didn’t look that way in Game 1, as the Avs ran over the Stars en route to a 5-1 win. Game 2 was much more in line with expectations, as the two Western powerhouses needed OT to settle things. Colin Blackwell was the hero for Dallas, scoring with 2:14 remaining in the first OT period. Full recap.
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Colin Blackwell comes up with big OT winner for Stars
Colin Blackwell sends the Stars faithful into jubilation with a great overtime winner to tie the series at 1-1 vs. the Avalanche.
Kings 6, Oilers 5
Los Angeles leads 1-0
Monday’s nightcap was a delight to those who like offensive hockey and were willing to stay up late. The Kings roared out to a four-goal lead late in the second period before Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl scored to pull within three with six seconds remaining. The two teams traded goals to start the third, before the Oilers notched three in a row to tie up the festivities with 1:28 remaining on Connor McDavid‘s first of the 2025 playoffs. L.A.’s Phillip Danault sent his club’s fans home happy, scoring the pivotal goal with 42 seconds left. Full recap.
0:46
Kings retake lead on Phillip Danault’s goal in final minute
Phillip Danault restores the lead for the Kings with a goal vs. the Oilers in the closing moments.
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