Four Nations Game Recap: Team Canada vs. Team Sweden | 02/12/2025

In the highly anticipated first clash at the Four Nations Faceoff, Team Canada and Team Sweden faced off in what was a thrilling matchup.

Known for their offensive firepower, Canada showcased a lineup brimming with talent. However, questions loomed about their goaltending, and they were expected to rely heavily on their strong defensive core to support their efforts.

Sweden, the third favorite, proved to be a formidable opponent with a balanced team capable of both stellar goaltending and scoring ability. With talent spread throughout their lineup, Sweden was ready to challenge Canada in every aspect of the game.

As the puck dropped, both teams brought their strengths to the ice, setting the stage for an intense and exciting game that kept fans on the edge of their seats as they battled for dominance early in the tournament.

Game Format

Each team will participate in three best-on-best tournament matches using a traditional Round Robin format, adhering to the following points system:

• 3 points for a victory in regulation time
• 2 points for a win in overtime or a shootout
• 1 point for a loss in overtime or a shootout
• 0 points for a defeat in regulation time

The two teams with the highest tournament records will advance to a single-game Final. For tonight’s matchup, Sweden is designated as the home team.

Team Lineups

Sweden

Canada

Period 1

Just 44 seconds into the first period, William Nylander received a high-sticking penalty, giving Team Canada a power play opportunity. Nathan MacKinnon, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, quickly put Canada on the scoreboard at 0:56, making it 1-0.

Later, Brad Marchand scored at 13:15, with assists from Sam Reinhart, Brayden Point, and Seth Jarvis, increasing Canada’s lead to 2-0.

Sweden registered seven shots on goal and six shots that missed the target. Defensively, they blocked three shots, while goaltender Gustavsson made five saves, resulting in a save percentage of 71.43% (5 out of 7). Sweden received one penalty, incurring two penalty minutes. They won 9 out of 17 faceoffs, which translates to a faceoff percentage of 52.94%. Additionally, they recorded five hits, six giveaways, and two takeaways.

Canada had a strong first period, taking five shots on goal with a shooting percentage of 28.57% (2/7), resulting in 2 goals. Defensively, they excelled by blocking eight shots, and their goaltender Jordan Binnington made three saves, achieving a perfect save percentage of 100% (3/3). Canada took advantage of their power play opportunity, scoring a goal and maintaining a power play percentage of 100% (1/1). They recorded four hits, won eight faceoffs for a faceoff percentage of 47.06%.

Period 2

The second period continued with intense action from both teams. Sweden came out strong, determined to close the gap. Canada’s defenseman, Shea Theodore, took a hard hit and headed off the ice. Lucas Raymond made a valiant effort, cutting through to the net but was unable to find a clear lane.

Brayden Point sent the puck across to Brad Marchand, but the shot was stopped by Binnington. Later, Marchand stole the puck out in front, but Seth Jarvis was unable to connect to the net. Mark Stone’s shot went off the top of Gustavsson, who made the save. Filip Forsberg‘s shot went off the chest of Binnington. Later, Elias Pettersson tossed one that bounced towards Binnington, but he covered the puck.

At 09:33, Jonas Brodin caught Binnington with a point shot after a pass from Victor Hedman and Lucas Raymond, sending the puck over Binnington’s shoulder and getting Sweden on the board. The score is now 2-1 in favor of Canada.

Rickard Rakell had a great look at the net with another burst shot, but unfortunately missed the target. Cale Makar‘s shot was blocked by Sweden’s defense, preventing another scoring opportunity for Canada.

A play was blown dead after Rasmus Dahlin stopped the puck from making the net, preventing a goal by Sidney Crosby. The net popped off the moorings, leading to the stop of play. Crosby’s wrister went off the glass, and later, Victor Hedman blocked the subsequent shot by the Canadian captain. Gustavsson later kicked out another puck shot by Canada, keeping Sweden in contention. Moments after, Ekholm’s shot went high and wide of Binnington’s net. Canada would have their chace as Crosby held on to the puck, spun around and was able to set up Mark Stone, who laser-shot on Gustavsson, putting Canada up by two once more at 17:28. The goal was assisted by Crosby and Colton Parayko.

Sweden and Canada both had seven shots on goal. Sweden’s shooting percentage was 14.29% (1/7), and Canada’s was 11.11% (1/9). Sweden blocked four shots, and Canada blocked six. Sweden’s goalkeeper, Filip Gustavsson, made eight saves with a save percentage of 88.89% (8/9), while Canada’s goalkeeper, Jordan Binnington, made six saves with a save percentage of 85.71% (6/7). Canada had seven hits, and Sweden had 11. Canada won 14 faceoffs with a faceoff percentage of 60.87%, while Sweden won nine faceoffs with a faceoff percentage of 39.13% The period ended with Canada leading 3-1.

Period 3

The third period is underway, and both teams are giving it their all. Sweden is pushing hard to close the gap, while Canada is focused on maintaining their lead. Filip Gustavsson made a crucial save after a shot by Connor McDavid, keeping Sweden’s hopes alive. At 01:54, Erik Karlsson made a nifty move on the blue line and passed to Adrian Kempe, who ripped the puck on net, making his way past Jordan Binnington. The goal, assisted by Karlsson and Ekholm, brings Sweden closer with the score now 3-2 in favor of Canada.

Anthony Cirelli had a hot shot in front, but it was blocked off by Mattias Ekholm, preventing another scoring opportunity for Canada. Unfortunately, Lucas Raymond has gone off to the locker room for Sweden, which could be a significant loss for the team. Connor McDavid tried to tuck one past Filip Gustavsson but was unable to sneak it in, keeping the score tight. At 08:59, Joel Eriksson Ek got the tying goal for Sweden with a backdoor play. Lucas Raymond set up the play after he faked it, before sending it off to Jesper Bratt, with the puck finally landing on the stick of Eriksson Ek, who made the goal. The score is now tied at 3-3, with assists from Jesper Bratt and Lucas Raymond.

Filip Gustavsson made a crucial save to keep the score tied as Canada found themselves in a tight battle with Sweden. Connor McDavid took a shot, but Gustavsson made a stunning denial. With the score still tied at 3-3, Canada maintained control of the puck in Sweden’s zone. McDavid received the puck near the side of the net and swiftly passed it to Devon Toews, who was positioned in front of the goal. Toews quickly fired a shot, but Gustavsson managed to get a piece of it with his blocker, denying Canada and keeping the score tied.

Later, there was a penalty on Canada for high-sticking. Josh Morrissey received a high-sticking penalty at 12:54. Anthony Cirelli’s shot on net from near the blue line had some heat on it. Another shot by Sweden was blocked off by Seth Jarvis off the toe of his stick just before the penalty ended.

Reinhardt had a shot on goal, but Gustavsson beat him to it and made the stop. With under two minutes remaining in regulation, McDavid’s line returned to the ice for their shift. Dahlin had a shot, but Binnington stopped it with his pad. Colton Parayko‘s shot on net later was also denied. However, Sweden’s defense kept things as tight as you can get, sending the teams into overtime.

Canada had 10 shots on goal compared to Sweden’s six. Canada’s shooting percentage was 20% (2/10), while Sweden’s was 0% (0/6). Canada blocked seven shots, and Sweden blocked three. The goalkeepers made six saves for Canada and eight for Sweden, with save percentages of 100% (6/6) for Canada and 80% (8/10) for Sweden. Canada had one penalty, resulting in two penalty minutes (PIM), while Sweden had none. Neither team scored on the powerplay or shorthanded. Canada’s power play percentage was 0% (0/1), and their penalty killing percentage was 100% (1/1). Canada had seven hits, and Sweden had four. Sweden won 13 faceoffs compared to Canada’s 10, with faceoff percentages of 56.52% for Sweden and 43.48% for Canada.

Overtime

Nathan MacKinnon nearly had a coast-to-coast opportunity, getting the crowd in Montreal going. Jordan Binnington saved Canada once more with a crucial save on a shot by Mika Zibanejad. Another shot on Gustavsson by Binnington nearly found its mark, but Gustavsson managed to get it down and out of danger. A third attempt by MacKinnon was denied. Later, Cale Makar was also denied the game winner.

Several more denials by Gustavsson are showcasing his solid effort in net, as Canada was pushing hard in this moment to take the win with MacKinnon taking a few more shots on net, but all were denied. Chants of “Crosby” from the crowd began and added to the excitement as Canada worked the puck back into the offensive zone. Finally, at 6:06, it was a beauty of a backhanded pass from Crosby to Mitch Marner that secured the win for Canada. Crosby’s move was exceptional and was completely unexpected by the Swedes.

Final Score

Injury

Stars of the Game:

Key Players by Ice Time

• Cale Makar (Canada): 28:06
• Victor Hedman (Sweden): 27:15
• Josh Morrissey (Canada): 23:17
• Colton Parayko (Canada): 22:58
• Mitch Marner (Canada): 21:06
• Connor McDavid (Canada): 21:26

That wraps up what was an exciting game between Canada and Sweden! Don’t miss the upcoming match between the USA and Finland on Thursday night at 8 PM EST.