It would be hard to argue that this isn’t the biggest international hockey game since the gold medal matchup between Canada and the USA at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
We’re eight days short of the 15-year anniversary of that iconic Canadian gold medal win, which came courtesy of Sidney Crosby’s golden goal.
Eight years earlier, Canada beat the US 5-2 in another Olympic gold medal game, this one on American soil in Salt Lake City.
While tonight’s 4 Nations Face-Off final between the two North American rivals is certainly nowhere close to Olympic magnitude, external factors have given it that vibe.
Of course, the tension between the two countries surrounding US President Donald Trump’s consistent talk of making Canada the 51st state has fuelled the fire in that regard.
It led to Canadians booing the US anthem at games in Montreal and it would not be a surprise to see American fans return the favour at the TD Garden in Boston tonight.
The fact that this is the first best-on-best hockey tournament in nearly a decade is also stoking the flames of this rivalry and that was evident on Saturday night.
The US managed a 3-1 victory over Canada five days ago in what was a very heated game between the two teams and the heat is expected to be turned up even more tonight.
With Seth Jarvis re-entering the lineup for Travis Konecny, Canada’s forward group will be the same as on Saturday and Jordan Binnington will once again get the start in net.
The main difference for the Canadians tonight compared to five days ago will be that Cale Makar will suit up against the USA after missing Saturday’s game due to an illness.
The USA’s forward group for tonight is less clear, but it will once again be Connor Hellebuyck in net and Charlie McAvoy will miss the game due to an infection that hospitalized him this week.
As he did against Finland on Monday, Jake Sanderson will suit up in McAvoy’s place.
Tonight’s game is scheduled for 5 pm PST, although puck drop won’t be until close to 5:20 pm PST, and you can catch all the action on Sportsnet.
