Marner snipes OT winner, Crosby dazzles as Canada fends off Sweden in 4 Nations Face-Off opener

In a thrilling start to the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored the game-winning goal in overtime to help Canada secure a 4-3 victory over Sweden. The back-and-forth extra period saw both teams create numerous scoring opportunities, but it was Marner who sealed the win with a powerful shot past Swedish goaltender Filip Gustavsson.

Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, and Mark Stone also found the back of the net for Canada, with Jordan Binnington making 23 saves in goal. Sidney Crosby had a standout performance with three assists, showcasing the talent of NHL players in high-level international competition. On the Swedish side, Jonas Brodin, Adrian Kempe, and Joel Eriksson Ek scored the goals, with Gustavsson making 24 saves and Lucas Raymond contributing two assists.

The victory earned Canada two points in the standings, while Sweden secured one point for the loss in overtime. The tournament, which serves as a prelude to the NHL’s return to the Olympics in 2026, will see the United States and Finland face off in their first games on Thursday.

The 4 Nations Face-Off represents the closest men’s hockey has come to a best-on-best event since the 2016 World Cup. With Russia and Czechia not participating due to various reasons, the tournament will feature four games at the Bell Centre in Montreal before moving to Boston for the final matches.

The atmosphere at the Bell Centre was electrifying, with a powerful rendition of “O Canada” before the game and a quick power-play goal from MacKinnon in the first minute. Crosby’s playmaking skills were on full display as he set up MacKinnon for the goal, showcasing the chemistry between the two Cole Harbour, N.S. natives.

Marchand extended Canada’s lead in the first period, but Sweden fought back with goals from Brodin and Kempe to tie the game. Eriksson Ek then equalized in the third period, setting the stage for Marner’s heroics in overtime. Gustavsson made crucial saves to keep Sweden in the game, but Marner’s decisive goal sealed the victory for Canada.

The 4 Nations Face-Off promises more exciting matchups as the tournament progresses, with top NHL players showcasing their skills on the international stage. Fans can look forward to intense competition and thrilling moments as the best teams in the world compete for supremacy in Montreal and Boston.