Berube has no intention of resting Matthews, Marner this weekend, predicts 4 Nations Face-Off Final

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are set to square off in one of the most important games of their careers, but it’ll be business as usual once the 4 Nations Face-Off concludes Thursday.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube indicated Thursday that Matthews and Marner will be back in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“You got somebody that’s going to go in and play?” Berube said, with a laugh. “As of right now they’re playing. These are big games.”

Matthews is captaining Team USA and was held out of Monday’s game against Sweden with an upper-body injury. He’s provided some understated defensive impact, while centring a line featuring Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughes, and could see his star profile elevate with an excellent game Thursday. Marner is on Canada’s third line with Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli, a true shutdown line that may be tasked with man-marking the Matthews group at 5-on-5.

Berube also offered his prediction for the final:

“Canada 3-2. I’m sure it’s going to be a tight game. You know, you would think it would be, but you never know. Everybody thought the Super Bowl was going to be tight. That’s why we got to play the games.”

If Berube’s prediction comes true, it could be in part due to Marner’s all-around work, in a tournament where he notched the overtime winner against Sweden. Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid would be Canada’s most likely MVP candidates, if they lift the trophy on Thursday, while Connor Hellbuyck, Jake Guentzel and Zach Werenski are among the US leaders.

Matthews and Marner will return after playing with some of the best players in the world, and there’s an attendant expectation that they will benefit as a result, as the Maple Leafs enter their home stretch. Marner has been the Maple Leafs’ MVP, ranking fourth in the NHL with 71 points in 54 games while playing in all situations, while Matthews may have turned a corner after re-entering the lineup on January 4.

All eyes will be on this game, with Matthews and Marner as central storylines in the most anticipated men’s hockey game of the past decade.