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Five takeaways from Canada's thrilling OT win over U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off final
Canada defeated the United States, 3-2, in overtime Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off, capping off an incredible tournament that featured best-on-best NHLers for the first time since 2016.
Connor McDavid scored the overtime winner 8:18 into overtime off a faceoff. The game went to extra time following a 2-2 tie, with goals from Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson on the American side and Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett on the Canadian side.
Let's take a look at five takeaways from the final:
Connor McDavid can show up in big moments
Prior to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, Connor McDavid's ability to show up in big moments was questioned by many fans despite his reputation. Even with a 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy (in a losing effort), some wondered if McDavid could lead Canada to the ultimate trophy.
While the 2026 Olympics are still up in the air, McDavid showed that he can come up big in international games; his five points were second most in the tournament and his game-winning overtime goal secured Canada the title.
THERE IT IS! THE GAME WINNER! THE TOURNAMENT WINNER!
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2025
CONNOR MCDAVID HAS WON IT FOR CANADA!!! #4Nations pic.twitter.com/nDneA2e26K
Connor Hellebuyck is still the best goalie in the NHL
Despite the loss, Connor Hellebuyck showed in this tournament why he is still the best goaltender in the NHL. His .932 save percentage was one of the best, and he helped back-stop the U.S. to a second-place finish.
Against Canada, he stopped 25 out of 26 shots in the round-robin tournament and 24 out of 27 shots in the final. He finished with a .932 save percentage in the tournament, the second highest overall and highest among goalies who played two or more games. Hellebuyck showed during this tournament why he's the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy as best goalie in the NHL.
Nathan MacKinnon is still the front-runner for the Hart Trophy
Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring in the U.S.-Canada game, potting the first goal just under five minutes into the first period.
NATHAN MACKINNON OPENS THE SCORING! #4Nations
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2025
: @espn & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/c2Mae8GUoF
With that goal, MacKinnon secured the most goals in the 4 Nations tournament and was awarded MVP. Going into the break, MacKinnon also led the NHL in points with 87 in 57 games; he showed that not only has he been the best player in the NHL, but the best player among international superstars.
Canada still tops the United States in hockey, for now
With a politically charged environment, the Canada-United States 4 Nations final was highly anticipated. Not only that, but as the U.S. is catching up to Canada in terms of NHLers (41% to 29%), many in the United States were excited about arguably the best American team ever.
What came about was one of the best international hockey games in recent memory. The teams were evenly matched — Canada had 27 shots, 25 hits and won 32 faceoffs, while the U.S. had 33 shots, 28 hits and also won 32 faceoffs.
In such a tight match, the Americans showed that they can hang with the Canadians, and the Canadians showed that despite their national pride in hockey, the U.S. may be closer in the game than they think.
Olympics will be the best international tournament yet
With such a great tournament featuring four elite hockey countries, the 2026 Olympics, the first to feature NHL talent since 2014, will be as anticipated as ever.
As NHL players got excited for what was, essentially, an exhibition tournament, they're certain to play hard for Olympic gold. With stars such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Victor Hedman, Aleksander Barkov and Juuse Saros in the 4 Nations Face-Off, and other countries' stars like Leon Draisaitl (Germany), David Pastrnak (Czechia) and Nikita Kucherov (Russia) joining them in 2026, it's sure to be the best ever international tournament produced.
More must-reads:
- Watch: Connor McDavid's OT goal lifts Canada to 4 Nations Face-Off championship
- Connor McDavid had great comments after winning 4 Nations
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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Penguins Predicted to Trade Rickard Rakell to East Rival
As the Pittsburgh Penguins look around the NHL for trade options regarding a few veteran players, it seems that a deal could come sooner rather than later. One player that has drawn all sorts of interest is veteran Rickard Rakell. With Pittsburgh wanting to get younger, Rakell has been put on the trade block. The Penguins have been talking with a few teams, and Rakell could net this team some strong future assets. NHL writer Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report listed a few landing spots for the Penguins star, with the Carolina Hurricanes being one of them. Carolina has put together a strong offseason so far, but adding Rakell to the mix could be the cherry on top. "The Carolina Hurricanes have already had a bold offseason by signing forward Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency and trading for defenseman K'Andre Miller. Both moves are significant and add to an already strong team. "But why stop there? Especially when they are still swimming in salary-cap space due to how many team-friendly contracts they have on their roster," Gretz wrote. With the Hurricanes looking to finally get over the hump in the Eastern Conference, this could be one way to help. Rakell remains a strong scoring option on the ice, and he could make this team even more formidable. Last season with Pittsburgh, Rakell put up 35 goals and 35 assists. The veteran proved that he could still be a valuable piece to a winning puzzle, and the Hurricanes could use his skill set. Adding a player like Rakell this late in the offseason could be a steal for the Hurricanes, and this could bolster the depth across the roster. Carolina is all-in on going after a Stanley Cup title next season, and Rakell could be the missing piece.
Green Bay Packers Avoid Major Injury With 2 Key Offensive Playmakers
Training camp and preseason are all about staying healthy for the start of the season. For the Green Bay Packers, Tuesday’s practice on August 12, 2025, served as a reminder of how fickle luck can be. Tight end Luke Musgrave and wide receiver Romeo Doubs both sent shockwaves through training camp when they went down with injuries during practice. Thankfully, the latest updates have fans breathing a collective sigh of relief as both players appear to have avoided serious setbacks. With both Musgrave and Doubs set to play pivotal roles in the Packers’ offense this season, their health becomes a top priority as the team inches closer to the regular season. Here’s everything you need to know about their injury scares, subsequent updates, and what it all means for Green Bay’s 2025 outlook. Green Bay Packers Injury Scares Luke Musgrave’s Ankle Jolt Luke Musgrave, the Packers’ promising tight end drafted in 2023, sent tension rippling through the camp after hurting his ankle during an otherwise celebratory moment. Shortly after making a touchdown grab, Musgrave appeared to tweak his ankle and was visibly uncomfortable. With each cautious step, anxiety loomed heavy over the coaching staff, the fans, and the young tight end hoping to lock in his position as one of Jordan Love’s go-to weapons. Romeo Doubs’ Back Collision Minutes later, another scare followed—this time involving Romeo Doubs, one of the key cogs in Green Bay’s wide receiver corps. Doubs collided with safety Evan Williams on an incomplete deep ball, the impact leaving him slow to rise and clutching his lower back. He was taken to the Hutson Center for further evaluation, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the practice field. Positive Updates Highlight Potential Return Despite Tuesday’s ominous moments, Wednesday brought welcome news for Green Bay. Both Musgrave and Doubs appear to have avoided long-term injuries, with reporters noting that neither player is dealing with anything serious enough to threaten their availability for the season opener. “Seems both Romeo Doubs and Luke Musgrave are OK after injury scares yesterday,” noted Packers insider Zach Kruse. This promising update means that both players could return to action soon, ensuring the Packers’ offense remains intact as the team continues preparation for Week 1. What Their Health Means for the Packers’ Offense The Packers’ offense operates with one goal in mind this season—establishing rhythm and continuity under quarterback Jordan Love, who is entering his inaugural campaign as the definitive starter. Doubs and Musgrave are central to that plan, and their health will play a critical role in Green Bay’s potential success. Luke Musgrave’s Role at Tight End Musgrave, with his 6-foot-6 frame and elite athleticism, is expected to be a dynamic option in the red zone and over the middle of the field. His ability to stretch defenses with his straight-line speed gives Jordan Love a pivotal mismatch to exploit. With Packers coach Matt LaFleur known for creative schemes involving tight ends, Musgrave is poised to surpass his rookie-year contributions and become one of the team’s top offensive weapons. An extended absence would leave Green Bay thin at tight end, forcing them to lean too heavily on backups like Tucker Kraft. Musgrave dodging serious injury is a huge sigh of relief for the coaching staff looking to build around their versatile second-year player. Romeo Doubs’ Importance to the Receiver Room Romeo Doubs enters the 2025 season with a chance to take another step forward as a reliable and potentially explosive wide receiver. With Christian Watson and Jayden Reed entering their third and fourth year, respectively, Doubs slots as a complementary target with the ability to move the chains and create chunk plays. The injury scare highlighted just how fragile the team’s depth at wide receiver can be. Any significant time missed by Doubs would leave the Packers scrambling between lesser-proven options like Dontayvion Wicks and rookie pass-catchers to fill the void. Thankfully, Green Bay won’t need to shuffle the depth chart just yet—a massive win for maintaining offensive stability down the stretch of camp. The Packers’ Injury Landscape Musgrave and Doubs’ recoveries come as part of a broader injury narrative for the Packers this preseason. With quarterback Jordan Love nursing a thumb injury and other depth players sidelined, the team has been walking a fine line between preparation and preservation. Coach Matt LaFleur has stressed a cautious approach to managing workloads in camp, aiming to ensure all 53 regular-season contributors are healthy and ready when the games matter most. With Musgrave and Doubs added to the list of “narrow escapes,” it’s clear the Packers have dodged a significant bullet in maintaining the offensive cohesion their new-look roster needs to gel. Final Thoughts The injury updates on Luke Musgrave and Romeo Doubs may not seem headline-worthy given they avoided serious setbacks, but their importance to Green Bay’s offense cannot be overstated. Both players represent key building blocks in an evolving attack centered on unlocking the full potential of Jordan Love. For now, Packers fans and coaches alike can breathe easy knowing their $12-million offensive duo is still on track for a healthy and impactful 2025 campaign. But as camp rolls on and preseason games begin, the emphasis for Green Bay will remain clear—avoid losses on the injury report at all costs.
Insider Rips Yankees for Aaron Boone Decision
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Steelers Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer Reveals Root Of Zach Frazier's Concerning Issues
The Pittsburgh Steelers went into training camp expecting growth from all of their players, no matter how well they did in the previous year. However, concerns grew quickly about second-year center Zach Frazier, as his ability to snap the ball became inconsistent. Luckily, he seems to have fixed those problems as they have not flared up for about a week and a half. Pittsburgh can't afford to have its star center forget the basics and go into a deep sophomore slump. He needs to be on top of his game for the offense to thrive. While having a conversation with Tim Benz of TribLive, Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer explained why Frazier was unable to properly snap the ball and what they did to fix it. "That’s early camp stuff that we don’t want," Meyer said. "Especially when you played all those games he had that were early on. It was always the first play of the first team period. Whether that’s him thinking too much, trying to add things to his technique in terms like throwing hands and doing some things had him maybe a little bit off kilter." It sounds like the excitement just got the best of Frazier during those rough practices, so he had to be told to slow things down and focus on getting the snap right first. You can't rush a play like that and risk giving the ball away on something so simple and mundane. Just get the ball to the quarterback, but not too hard of course, and then focus on your blocking assignment. Frazier had that problem early in the 2024 season, but managed to clean it up eventually. That won't be tolerated in his second year in the league. Frazier was actually already benched in training camp briefly, and it could happen again, especially with a very demanding quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. Even though those issues have not happened again in several days, Meyer still seems annoyed about them happening in the first place. He explained his frustrating conversations with Frazier after plays kept getting botched. "We had a conversation about it, and that’s done. It’s over with," Meyer said. "We’re not having any more. We’re not doing it anymore. He’s obviously diligent about it, so he doesn’t make any of those mistakes. And we can’t have those mistakes. He’s been solid the last two weeks now." Working with Rodgers can be both exciting and scary, but Frazier just needs to settle down and treat him like he's any other quarterback. It doesn't matter what voice is calling out the cadences; he just needs to know the play and get the ball to him 100% of the time like he would with anyone else standing behind him. He will probably be hiking the football to a new signal-caller in 2026 as Rodgers has made it known this could be his final season in the NFL, so Frazier better learn to deal with the early-season jitters. Steelers' Offensive Line Will Be Key To Success Rodgers has recently had a lot of struggles when pressured, as he has become one of the worst passers in the NFL against the blitz. Meyer's unit needs to gel together and develop quickly as one if they want to keep their passer upright in the pocket, especially with the pass rush from the outside. That is the key to success for 2025. Of course, it all begins with a perfect quarterback/center exchange on every single play.
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