Everything was going great for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off—until Matthew Tkachuk got injured.
During Saturday’s game against Canada at the Bell Centre, he stopped taking shifts.
After talking with coach John Tortorella during a timeout, he tried skating, but it didn’t look right.
And that was it––he stayed on the bench and never played again.
After the game, Tkachuk said there was “no concern,” but coach Mike Sullivan disagreed.
He confirmed that Tkachuk has a lower-body injury and is “out,” but there is no clear update on whether he’ll play on Monday or in the final.
Now, Team USA has to figure out if they can win without him.
- Matthew Tkachuk’s lower-body injury puts his status for Monday and the final in doubt. Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed he is “out” for now.
- J.T. Miller has been a physical force for Team USA, setting the tone with a fight and excelling on the penalty kill.
- Chris Kreider is expected to replace Tkachuk, making his 4 Nations Face-Off debut against Sweden alongside his Rangers teammates.
J.T. Miller Is Built for This Moment
While Tkachuk’s injury is the biggest story, it shouldn’t detract from what J.T. Miller is doing in this tournament.
If there was any doubt about how much he loves playing in high-pressure games, that’s gone now.
Miller was at his best against Canada.
He set the tone immediately, dropping the gloves with Colton Parayko just nine seconds into the game.
Did he win the fight?
Not really, but that wasn’t the point.
He was making a statement—this wouldn’t be an easy game for Canada.
And that’s been Miller’s role throughout the tournament.
He’s finishing hits, battling in the corners, killing penalties alongside Rangers teammate Vincent Trocheck, and doing all the little things that help a team win.
And the New York Rangers are watching.
Miller’s performance in the 4 Nations Face-Off is exactly what they want to see.
With the Rangers sitting just three points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, they need players who can elevate their game when it matters most.
If Miller can bring this level of intensity back to the NHL, it could make a huge difference in their playoff push.
Chris Kreider Finally Gets His Chance
With Tkachuk likely to miss Monday’s game, Team USA has to adjust their lineup.
That means Chris Kreider, who has been sitting as the 13th forward, is finally getting his shot.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Tkachuk is “likely” to sit out, which would put Kreider in the lineup for the first time in the tournament.
Mike Sullivan says it’s a lower-body injury for Matthew Tkachuk. He used the term “out” and said he is being evaluated. He said he doesn’t have enough info yet to make a determination on his status for Monday. The U.S. has already made it into the final on Thursday.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 16, 2025
It’s not the way he wanted to get in, but now that the opportunity is here, he’ll take it.
Kreider brings a skill set different from Tkachuk––he’s a fast, powerful skater who can create chances with his speed.
He’s also got a strong scoring touch, especially in big moments.
Team USA will need that against Sweden and possibly in the final.
The cherry on top: he’ll be playing with his Rangers teammates—Miller, Trocheck, and Adam Fox.
That chemistry could help him settle in quickly and make an impact right away.
Canada Has Its Own Problems, But Don’t Bet Against McDavid
While Team USA is dealing with the loss of Tkachuk, Canada isn’t exactly at full strength either.
They were already missing defenseman Shea Theodore, who’s out week to week with an upper-body injury.
Then, Cale Makar couldn’t play on Saturday because he was sick.
That forced Canada to bring in Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley to fill the gap.
Even with those issues, Canada is still the team to beat.
They’ve got Connor McDavid, and as long as he’s on the ice, they’re dangerous.
Their goal is clear: get through Finland on Monday and then take another shot at Team USA in the final.
But Finland won’t make it easy.
They’re coming off a 4-3 overtime win against Sweden, with Mikael Granlund scoring the game-winning goal.
It’s almost fitting, considering he’s been writing a blog for NHL.com throughout the tournament.
Talk about a storybook moment.
Meanwhile, Sweden had a tough loss despite Mika Zibanejad opening the scoring.
Their tournament hasn’t gone as planned, and now they have to face Team USA without much to play for.
The Road to the Final—And the Unanswered Questions
For Team USA, everything depends on Tkachuk.
If his injury isn’t serious, and he can return for the final, they’ll still be the favorites.
But if he’s out, that changes the dynamic completely.
Monday’s game against Sweden will be the test.
Kreider will get his first action, and Team USA will see how they look without Tkachuk.
If they struggle, the concern will grow.
If they handle it well, they may feel confident heading into the final, even if he’s not ready.
And if Canada gets past Finland, the rematch is on.
With or without Tkachuk, this is the matchup everyone wants to see.
One way or another, the 4 Nations Face-Off is coming to a dramatic finish.
The only question is: Will Team USA have their full arsenal when the time comes?
