Canada secured a spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off final with a 5-3 victory over Finland on Monday afternoon in Boston, setting up a highly anticipated rematch with the United States. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon led the charge, scoring 46 seconds apart in the first period, while Sidney Crosby sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final moments.
McDavid opened the scoring at 4:13 of the first period, capitalizing on a turnover by Finland’s Roope Hintz. The Edmonton Oilers captain intercepted a clearing attempt, circled the offensive zone, and fired a shot past Finnish goaltender Kevin Lankinen. MacKinnon doubled Canada’s lead just 46 seconds later, driving to the net for a close-range finish. Brayden Point extended the advantage to 3-0 at 13:02, pouncing on a rebound. MacKinnon struck again early in the second period, prompting Finland to replace Lankinen with Juuse Saros after the fourth goal.
Finland mounted a late comeback in the third period, with Esa Lindell breaking Jordan Binnington’s shutout bid at 13:19. Mikael Granlund added two quick goals in the final minutes, creating a tense finish before Crosby’s empty-net goal secured the win. Binnington made 23 saves for Canada, while McDavid and Crosby each contributed a goal and an assist. Sam Reinhart added three assists.
The victory sets up a championship clash with the United States, who defeated Canada 3-1 in a physical matchup on Saturday. That game featured three fights in the first nine seconds and marked the Americans’ clinching of a final berth. The U.S. faced Sweden later Monday in a game that had no impact on the standings following Canada’s win.
The 4 Nations Face-Off represents the NHL’s return to high-level international competition, serving as a precursor to the league’s participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The NHL had skipped the 2018 and 2022 Games due to financial disputes and COVID-19 concerns, respectively.
Monday’s game also saw Canadian defenceman Cale Makar return to the lineup after missing Saturday’s loss due to illness. His presence bolstered a Canadian team that had to call up alternate Thomas Harley for the U.S. game due to injuries and absences on the blue line.
The atmosphere at TD Garden was charged, with pockets of fans booing the Canadian national anthem in response to the jeering of the U.S. anthem earlier in the tournament in Montreal. The rivalry between the two nations remains fierce, both on and off the ice.
Canadian head coach Jon Cooper praised Binnington’s performance, noting the St. Louis Blues goaltender has been a key factor in the team’s success. “He’s given us a chance to win,” Cooper said. “If you can limit an opponent to two goals or less, it should give you a chance to win.”
The final, set for Thursday, promises to be a thrilling showdown between two hockey powerhouses.