There’s some confidence brewing with Team Canada heading into the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off this week.
At the team’s first practice on Monday, those in attendance received a first look at what Canada’s top power-play unit could look like. It featured future Hall of Famer and team captain Sidney Crosby flanked by Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, with Sam Reinhart and Cale Makar rounding out the uber-talented five-man group.
Canada forward and Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand admitted that it looks like a formidable conglomerate.
“I would probably put three goalies in the net and just let them try to do the job,” Marchand said with a smile during a media scrum. “We’re joking out there…. five of the best players to ever play the game are on that power play. Even as a fan of the game, it’s fun to be able to be out there and watch them do the thing. So, it’s special.”
Crosby’s status was a question mark over the weekend, as he missed the Pittsburgh Penguins’ last two games due to an upper-body injury. However, after skating on Monday morning, the veteran center determined that he was “good to go.”
Canada’s second power-play unit doesn’t look too shabby either. Brayden Point centers a forward group of Mark Stone and Mitch Marner, with Josh Morrissey and Shea Theodore on the points.
There is a considerable amount of talent on the Canadian roster, with many expecting the team filled with both young stars and experienced talent to be in the championship game in Boston next week. However, Marchand recognizes that it won’t be easy for Canada to skate through the other three teams.
“We take a lot of pride in hockey and trying to work towards being the best. When you think of Canada, the only thing that they want to accomplish is to win. But you’ve seen every other nation now, the development they’re putting in with their programs. There’s such small margins between any single team at any level. The four teams at this tournament, they’re all incredible and it’s a very, very even playing field. So it’s an incredible opportunity.”
Canada opens the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday night in Montreal against Sweden.
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