Zach Werenski leads the United States of America in the Four Nations round robin tournament games with six assists; however, Canada claims the Four Nations championship in a 3-2 overtime victory over USA.

Period I

Canada opens the scoring just before the five minute mark of the first period off a traffic jam by the American defense. Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon recorded his tournament leading fourth goal with the assists going to Thomas Harley and Sam Reinhart. This was Dallas Stars’ defenseman Thomas Harley’s first point of the tournament. Florida Panthers’ winger Sam Reinhart had his fourth assist of the tourney.

In the dying minutes of the period, the Americans crashed the net on Jordan Binnington to tie the game at one a piece to get the crowd back into the game. Toronto Maple Leafs’ captain Auston Matthews’ rebound was redirected off the stick of Ottawa Senators’ captain Brady Tkachuk for the Arizona native’s third goal of the games. The initial shot off the twig of Matthews’ was the center’s second assist of the tournament. Matthews was switched to join the Tkachuks last in the frame to ignite the offense. Tkachuk led the tournament with 19 hits through 4 games, while having three goals. The Senators’ forward is also the only active NHL skater to have 20-plus goals and 70-plus hits in the 2024-2025 regular season.

Period II

The United States of America got their first lead of the contest and first goal by a defenseman in the games. The rebound by Ottawa Senators’ defenseman Jake Sanderson was his only goal and point of the tournament. Matthews had his second point of the game and third assist of the 4 Nations. Columbus Blue Jackets’ defenseman Zach Werenski had the secondary assist on the Sanderson goal, leading all skaters in tournament points with 6 — all as assists.

Vincent Trocheck got the only penalty of the game, a tripping minor for the Americans on Canadian and Colorado defender Devon Toews.

With six minutes remaining in the middle period, the States allowed their first goal outside the first period, which led to a tied game at two-to-two. Florida Panthers’ forward Sam Bennett got his first goal for the Canadians high blocker side from Toronto Maple Leafs’ winger Mitchell Marner, his first point of the series.

Period III

No penalties occurred; American forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Chris Kreider were both pinned to the bench. The U.S.A had 8 shots on net; meanwhile, Canada had only 4 shots on net. Tkachuk was injury, Kreider was coach decision.

Multiple explosive “Johnny Hockey!” chants ran rampant through the TD Garden in the back and forth rushes of the end of regulation.

Overtime

Eight minutes and eighteen seconds into the sudden death, Edmonton Oilers’ captain and center iceman Connor McDavid clinched the championship for his nation for the forward’s third goal of the tournament, passing Connor Hellebuyck. Marner had his second point of the matchup. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar had his first apple of the 4 Nations games.

Goaltenders

Canada goalkeeper, St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington, backstopped his nation to glory with 31 saves on 33 shots against for a 0.908 save percentage through an hour, 8 minutes, and 18 seconds of ice time.

American backstopper, Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck, allowed three goals on 27 shots against through the sudden death for a 0.869 save percentage in 68:18TOI.

Four Nations’ Championship Three Stars

1. Connor McDavid — OT GWG (3)
2. Brady Tkachuk — goal (3), hits leader (22)
3. Nathan MacKinnon — goal leader (4)

Extra Info

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Rumors

After Ek promoted my post to the top slot over the weekend, this will be posted daily with my Twitter promotion of who may join and depart Columbus. Rumor Mill

F Brock Boeser (VAN)

CBJ, MIN



F Elias Pettersson (VAN)

BUF, CAR, DET, MIN, DAL, OTT, CBJ, BOS



F Brock Nelson (NYI)

MIN, DAL, BOS, TOR, COL, WPG, CBJ, WSH,



F Brandon Tanev (SEA)

TOR, WSH, NYR, VGK, OTT, CBJ,



F Gustav Nyquist (NSH) per Michael DeRosa

CBJ, NYR, OTT, CAR, FLA, COL



F Dylan Cozens (BUF)

Per Josh Erickson of ProHockeyRumors and Spencer Lazary of THN — CBJ

CGY, PHI, VAN



F Rickard Rakkell (PIT)

CBJ



G James Reimer (BUF)

CBJ



G Vitek Vanecek (SJS)

CBJ



D Noah Dobson (NYI)

Per Spencer Lazar THN (CBJ)

DET, MTL, VAN,



F Casey Mittlestadt (COL)

Per Jason Newland THN - CBJ

BOS, CGY, WPG



F Oliver Bjorkstrand (SEA)

Per Spencer Lazar THN (CBJ)

UTH, VAN



D Jamie Oleskiak (SEA)

Per NHL Trade Talk Trade Board

CBJ, DAL, TOR



F Nick Robertson (TOR)

CBJ, SEA, UTH



Leaving Columbus?

2025 1 st Rd (BOTH)

Only for player with term



D Ivan Provorov

FLA, TBL, WSH, OTT, EDM, PIT, SEA, VAN, DAL



F Mathieu Olivier

DAL

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