The United States and Sweden faced off in a high-intensity match on Monday night at TD Garden, even though the game had no direct impact on the tournament standings. For Sweden, however, it was a matter of pride after suffering two overtime losses. They secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Team USA, sending a message ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off final.
Injury Woes Hit Team USA Hard
Team USA now heads into two off days before Thursday’s final against Canada with significant uncertainty surrounding their lineup. Key injuries and illnesses have hit the roster, raising concerns about player availability.
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy was admitted to Mass General Hospital with an upper-body injury, further depleting the squad. Head coach Mike Sullivan had already ruled out forward Matthew Tkachuk (lower body) and McAvoy earlier in the day, forcing the U.S. to play with just 11 forwards against Sweden. The situation worsened when news broke before warmups that captain Auston Matthews would also sit out due to upper-body soreness.
The biggest scare of the night came when Brady Tkachuk crashed awkwardly into the post during the first period. He briefly returned for a 14-second shift but was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Sullivan later stated that holding him out was a precautionary move and did not anticipate it being a long-term issue.
Despite these setbacks, the Tkachuk brothers remain optimistic. Brady reassured that Matthew would be ready for the rematch against Canada, and Matthew himself expressed excitement about Thursday’s final while speaking on the TNT broadcast. Losing either of them would be a major blow to Team USA, given their impact on the tournament.
Flu Bug Spreads Through Tournament
Injuries aren’t the only challenge teams are facing. A flu outbreak has affected several players across the tournament. Sweden felt the impact the most, as Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad and Rickard Rakell were sidelined due to illness. Canada’s Cale Makar also missed the first USA-Canada game but was able to play against Finland.
With multiple players battling health concerns, Team USA has yet to activate any reserve players. Sullivan stated that the team remains hopeful for player recoveries but is prepared to make contingency plans if necessary.
Chris Kreider’s Memorable Debut
Despite the challenges, there were some bright spots for Team USA. Chris Kreider made an unforgettable 4 Nations debut, scoring just 35 seconds into his first shift. The Rangers forward, introduced to a thunderous hometown ovation, capitalized on a rebound to give the U.S. an early 1-0 lead.
Kreider skated on the top line alongside Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk, two players the Rangers have previously shown interest in. His teammate J.T. Miller praised Kreider’s performance, stating, “Chris has been a hell of a teammate, and to get the chance to come in today and produce, happy for him.”
Sweden’s Late-Game Surge
Sweden responded quickly, with Gustav Nyquist tying the game later in the first period. The Americans briefly lost Brady Tkachuk during this stretch, allowing Sweden to seize momentum. The game remained tied until the final minute, when Jesper Bratt netted the game-winning goal with just 56 seconds left on the clock.
While the loss may not impact the tournament standings, Team USA must now focus on recovery and preparation for the final against Canada. With injuries, illness, and uncertainty looming, Thursday’s showdown promises to be a true test of resilience and depth for the Americans.
