Team USA’s 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday night at the 4 Nations Face-Off may have been a non-elimination game, but it still carried significant pride and implications, especially for a depleted U.S. squad. Sweden, after two tough overtime losses, earned a crucial victory in front of a packed TD Garden, while Team USA faced mounting injury concerns ahead of Thursday’s final against Canada.
Injuries and illness have impacted every team in the tournament, a testament to the high level of competition. For the Americans, the game came with a series of setbacks, including the absence of key players like forward Matthew Tkachuk (lower body) and defenseman Charlie McAvoy (upper body), both ruled out earlier in the day. Head coach Mike Sullivan was forced to ice a lineup with just 11 forwards, but things worsened during warm-ups when it was announced that USA captain Auston Matthews would also be sidelined due to upper-body soreness.
However, the biggest concern came in the first period when Brady Tkachuk awkwardly crashed into the post, heading to the locker room before returning briefly for a short shift. After the first intermission, he was ruled out for the remainder of the game for precautionary reasons. Sullivan acknowledged the challenge of losing a key player early but expressed hope that Tkachuk would be ready for the rematch against Canada.
With key players sidelined, Team USA’s remaining players had to rise to the occasion. Rangers forward Chris Kreider, making his 4 Nations debut in front of his hometown crowd, provided an early spark, scoring just 35 seconds into his first shift to give Team USA a 1-0 lead. The crowd erupted as Kreider, skating alongside Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk, capitalized on a rebound. Kreider’s goal was a bright moment in an otherwise challenging game for the U.S.
Sweden responded as the game went on, with Gustav Nyquist tying the score in the first period. Devils forward Jesper Bratt then sealed the win for Sweden, scoring the game-winner with just 56 seconds left in the opening frame.
Despite the loss, Sullivan remained hopeful that his injured players would recover in time for Thursday’s final against Canada. “We’re hopeful we’re going to get some of these guys back,” Sullivan said, adding that the team had yet to start the process of contacting reserve players but would have contingency plans in place if needed.
The flu bug had also impacted teams, including Sweden, who saw key players like Mika Zibanejad and Rickard Rakell scratched due to illness. Canada was also affected, with defenseman Cale Makar missing the first Canada-USA game but returning for their match against Finland on Monday.
With the tournament’s stakes rising, Team USA faces uncertainty, but they’ll need all their key players to be at full strength if they are to face Canada in the final with a chance at redemption.
