BOSTON — Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy didn’t play in Workforce USA’s 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday evening at TD Backyard.
It was reported after morning skate that McAvoy, Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck had been all wholesome scratches for the ultimate 4 Nations Face-Off round-robin recreation.
Previous to puck drop, Auston Matthews was additionally sidelined, and Brady Tkachuk left the sport within the first interval after crashing into the goalpost.
USA head coach Mike Sullivan offered an replace on his banged-up squad, together with McAvoy, after the sport.
“Brady clearly had a lower-body harm. We held him out extra for precautionary causes at that time. I haven’t acquired an replace up to now after the sport but, so we’ll see the way it responds, however I don’t anticipate it being a difficulty,” Sullivan stated. “Charlie, proper now, he’s out with an upper-body harm. Auston was extra banged up or nicked up, I ought to say. We’ll most likely have extra data tomorrow with these guys.”
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USA will face Canada within the 4 Nations championship recreation Thursday evening, which provides each groups an additional day earlier than the ultimate recreation of the match.
“This match has been an emotional funding with all of the groups,” Sullivan stated. “As a pure hockey fan, it’s a must to be enthusiastic about all of the video games which were performed.
“I simply suppose it’s such nice hockey, and anybody that loves hockey, it’s onerous to not get enthusiastic about what went on. I give the gamers on all of the respective groups a lot credit score for the way onerous they performed, what it means to them and the satisfaction that every nation has displayed right here. However that’s an emotional funding that takes its toll.”
Sullivan added: “I can solely converse for our workforce. We’re going to attempt to get some relaxation right here after which we’re going to reinvest. We’re going to interact and re-engage and attempt to put our greatest recreation on the ice.”
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The Pittsburgh Penguins head coach anticipates the sport environment at TD Backyard to be unbelievable.
“It is a nice hockey metropolis,” Sullivan stated. “It’s an incredible hockey city. There’ll be plenty of vitality round this recreation. We’re actually trying ahead to it.”
Puck drop for the USA-Canada 4 Nations last is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from TD Backyard on Thursday. The sport will air on ESPN.
