Avѕ' Trіo Hаѕ Bіg-Tіme Cһаnce To Sһіne For Cаnаdа At 4 Nаtіonѕ Fаce-Off Tournаment

Most of the Colorado Avalanche's players will be enjoying a break during the 4 Nations Face-Off. But a trio of Avs stars are going to be front and center at the tournament.

Many of the Colorado Avalanche's players will be happy to have a break from on-ice action now that the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament has arrived. But a trio of Avs stars are going to be key components of Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. And if the Canadian team does win the tourney, it will be because Colorado's stars helped them emerge as the top hockey country on the planet right now.

As the Canadian team began practiciing in Montreal Monday, Canada's forward lines and defense pairings became clear. And Avalanche superstar center Nathan MacKinnon and star defensemen Cale Makar and Devon Toews occupied highly-important places in Canada's blueprint for success.

MacKinnon occupied the Canadian team's second line -- although you can argue any of Canada's lines would be considered top lines if they were lines on any NHL team -- alongside center Sidney Crosby and winger Mark Stone at Monday's practice. Meanwhile, on defense, Makar and Toews were a pair as decided by Canada coach Jon Cooper. 

MacKinnon and Crosby are East Coast Canadians who've likely been aching to play together over the years, while Cooper obviously saw Makar and Toews' familiarity with each other as a good reason to keep them together. But it's now obvious that Makar and Toews will be Canada's No. 1 'D' pairing, and it's also clear MacKinnon will be front and center as a go-to force for the Canadians.

Cooper's first practice also revealed Canada's power play units, and once again, MacKinnon and Makar are central to the Canadian team's chances at winning it all. They're both on the No. 1 PP unit, along with Crosby, Florida's Sam Reinhart, and Edmonton's Connor McDavid. That is going to make MacKinnon and Makar even more dangerous, and vice-versa. 

So long as Makar, Toews and MacKinnon don't get injured, the Avalanche are going to benefit greatly from their participation in the 4 Nations Face-Off. When you're up against the best the hockey world has to offer, you're going to be that much better when the Stanley Cup playoffs roll around. And that's why whatever Toews, MacKinnon and Makar get out of the 4 Nations tournament, they're going to put just as much into Canada's attack.