McAvoy and Tkachuk did not participate in morning skate for Team USA, which already secured a spot in Thursday's TD Garden final vs. Canada, but Matthews was scratched close to puck drop. Brady Tkachuk was then lost for the night after a first-period collision.
Matthews put up an assist Thursday in Team USA's 6-1 victory over Finland at the 4 Nations Face-off in Montreal. He played a quiet, effective game while his teammates, namely Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk,
Guentzel's goal came in the third, 11 seconds after Matthew Tkachuk had pushed the USA up 3-1 on the power play. He scored on the rush from the left circle off a pass from Auston Matthews. The two goals in 11 seconds tied an NHL international tourney record (1991 Canada Cup) for fastest consecutive goals scored by the same team.
Auston Matthews, Team USA's No. 1 center and captain who had some upper body soreness after the win over Canada game on Saturday, joined star forward Matthew Tkachuk and did not play in Monday's 4 Nations Face-Off game against Sweden at TD Garden.
Tkachuk, meanwhile, is a slam dunk to represent Team USA in the 2026 Winter Games. His thunderous performance in the 4 Nations Face-Off makes him a Stars-and-Stripes lock, alongside his brother Matthew.
Team USA captain Auston Matthews left a resounding statement after the loss to Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, which included an injury to NHL star Matthew Tkachuk.
Not only did Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk leave the club’s 2-1 loss to Team Sweden on Monday night, but the U.S. already was without Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, Florida Panthers alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk and defenceman Charlie McAvoy.
The United States and Canada will do battle one more time in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. However, the Americans have been affected by the injury bug heading into Thursday's pivotal matchup for international supremacy.
Team USA takes on Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game. Follow The Post’s live updates from Boston.