BOSTON — Brad Marchand got his wish. Now can Team Canada make it pay off?
With Charlie McAvoy ruled out and Jeremy Swayman unlikely to dress for Team USA, Marchand will be the only Bruin on the ice at TD Garden when the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off championship is decided at 8 p.m. in Boston.
“It’s special,” said Marchand, who had quite a few friends and family members at Canada’s win over Finland on Monday. “You don’t normally get a chance to play a game like this in an arena I’ve been part of for so many years.”
But this game would be special in any location. On Saturday night in Montreal, Team USA edged Canada in a classic that moved hockey to the forefront of the sports landscape this week.
The chance to build on that right away has fans and players equally fired up.
“There’s obviously been a lot of buzz from the last game. Everybody will be very excited for the rematch,” Marchand said. “That’s part of what this is, trying to grow the game. The opportunity to play best of best is something we’ve been looking forward to for a long time now. It’s great that we’re getting it.
“There’s no bigger rivalry in hockey than Canada-US,” he added. “It’s going to be an extremely intense game. One we’re all going to look forward to.”
Since the first game, Team USA lost one catalyst — Charlie McAvoy — and three others — Auston Matthews, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk — are dealing with injuries.
Canada on the other hand has gotten healthier. Cale Makar, who didn’t play Saturday with an illness, returned on Monday and should be full-go again on Thursday.
“It’s going to be intense. They showed the type of game they can play. They don’t give up much. They’re going to be ready to compete hard on Thursday,” Marchand said. “We’re the same. We’re really excited to get another crack at these guys. It’s going to be an intense game for sure.”
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