The stage has been set for Thursday night. There will be a rematch between Team Canada and Team USA to determine the 4 Nations Face-Off champion. Canada defeated Finland to punch their ticket to the championship game on Monday. Even though the USA lost their recent matchup against Sweden, they already clinched a spot on Saturday. The first game between these two teams occurred in front of a hostile Canadian environment at the Bell Centre. But now the tables have turned. The biggest game of the year will take place on American soil.
Players explain their "Game 7 mindset"
Canada is led by their captain Sidney Crosby. The players are representing their country and Crosby informed his team that the mindset is to treat this tournament like a game seven scenario. Crosby has participated in eight career game sevens and has collected three Stanley Cups during his legendary career. Pucks and Pitchforks is onsite in Boston for the tournament, and we asked him how his playoff experience helps guide the team.
"I think, ultimately, you've got to go out there and play your game. We all rely on each other to do that. [Doesn't matter what] your role or minutes are, you just got to go out there, play the best way you can, and contribute that way. I think coming off an emotional game, we had to re-invest [against Finland]. I thought we did a great job of that. We got some big plays from a lot of different guys and [also] different guys stepped up when we needed it. That's what you need to win consistently and we're going to need another great effort in the next one. "Sidney Crosby Canada captain
Sam Bennett won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last season. In that series, the Edmonton Oilers erased a 3-0 deficit and took the Panthers to game seven. Luckily, the Panthers held on and didn't go down in sports infamy. Similar to Crosby, Pucks and Pitchforks asked Bennett about the importance of the tournament and the similarities it has to a game seven.
"It's really close. The excitement, anticipation, how badly we want it, it's right up there with the Stanley Cup Final. This is important to a lot of people in the country. I know it's really important to every single guy in our locker room. We're going to be giving it our all on Thursday."Sam Bennett Canada forward
Even though they're teammates for this event, Connor McDavid had to witness Bennett and the Panthers hoist the cup right in front of him. Despite winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, McDavid was understandably heartbroken after dropping game seven. He's also on a mission to not experience that similar feeling.
"We just played in a game seven on Monday. That was a win or go home situation and we found a way to get it done...I feel like game seven of the Stanley Cup Final is the biggest game that you're ever going to play in your whole life. It's good to be able to draw that experience, [since I was] there only a couple of months ago. Playing in big games is something that I love to do and tomorrow's a big game."Connor McDavid Canada alternate captain
The game on Saturday garnered 10.1 million viewers across North America. It was the most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final game since 2014. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST on Thursday. There are big expectations for the ratings to skyrocket. This has been a good preview for next year's Winter Olympics in Italy. Jack Hughes is now the lone New Jersey Devils representative in this game. He's confident that the USA can de-throne Canada and establish itself as the country with the best hockey talent.
"We already beat them once. So, we can beat them again. We had a great showing here. We're excited for tomorrow and it's a big opportunity for us."Jack Hughes USA forward