Team USA is gearing up for its crucial 4 Nations Face-Off championship game against Canada on Thursday, despite a handful of key injuries. Forward Brady Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Monday’s loss to Sweden and will not return.
The Americans played with a diminished lineup, but still managed to score a lone goal courtesy of New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider. U.S. coach Mike Sullivan stated that Tkachuk was held out for “precautionary reasons” and has no immediate update on his injury.
However, the team is optimistic about the return of injured players Matthew Tkachuk, Charlie McAvoy, and Auston Matthews. Tkachuk is expected to play against Canada on Thursday, while McAvoy’s condition remains undisclosed but not considered serious enough to keep him out for the entire tournament.
Sullivan has a contingency plan in place if additional players need to be called up due to injuries. Meanwhile, American players such as Jack Eichel and Jake Guentzel expressed confidence that their teammates will be “good to go” against Canada.
The 4 Nations final is scheduled for Thursday night at TD Garden, with the U.S. seeking revenge after a brutal battle with the Canadians in Montreal on Saturday by a score of 3-1.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/43896330/team-usa-forward-brady-tkachuk-ruled-4-nations-face-game-vs-sweden-injury