Canada Player Ratings: Best players meet moment
In an absolutely thrilling final, Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night thanks to a goal that instantly became the signature moment of Connor McDavid’s career.
The first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off — which doubled as the first best-on-best international hockey tournament in nine years — produced a familiar winner.
In an absolutely thrilling final, Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night thanks to a goal that instantly became the signature moment of Connor McDavid’s career.
When No. 97’s wrister whipped past American goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s glove 8:18 into the extra frame, an entire country erupted over the result of a tournament nobody knew we’d all care this much about.
The Americans sure wanted it. Playing on home soil in Boston, Team USA held a 2-1 advantage through the midpoint of the game and had multiple, 10-bell chances to end it in overtime.
At the end of the day, though, the 4 Nations produced another classic Canadian hockey moment and — just like 2010, with Sidney Crosby’s golden goal at the Olympics — it was the best player on the planet who provided the thrill.
A year from now, Canada will carry the best-on-best championship belt into the Olympics. Before we start thinking about that, though, let’s grade the Canadian players on their performance in the 4 Nations title game.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369131167112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369131167112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369131167112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-879537" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369131167112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/6369131167112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/gotta-see-it-mcdavid-wins-4-nations-face-off-for-canada-in-overtime/" }); });
FORWARDS
Connor McDavid 10/10 It’s an odd feeling to ponder how poorly you can grade Connor McDavid. But for three-plus periods, it really didn’t look like McDavid’s night. There was just no space out there and pucks just seemed to be bouncing over his stick or getting knocked away from him when they were on his blade. Then he was left alone in the slot, got his look and made no mistake. McDavid was named MVP of the game.
Brayden Point 9/10 Point’s hustle to get back and make sure Team USA was called for icing led to the offensive zone face-off that directly preceded McDavid’s goal. He got bumped up to McDavid’s wing halfway through the tourney and will probably start the 2026 Olympics there.
Mitch Marner 9.5/10 Marner started the night on the third line and made a wonderful feed to Sam Bennett on the second-period marker that tied the game 2-2. His creativity got him bumped up to play with McDavid and, sure enough, Marner feathered the pass to his new centre on the game-winner.
Nathan MacKinnon 9/10 MacKinnon opened the scoring for Canada in the final and wound up leading the 4 Nations with four goals. He was Canada’s best forward, start to finish, and took home 4 Nations MVP honours.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369121910112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369121910112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369121910112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-245837" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369121910112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/6369121910112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/canadas-mackinnon-wires-home-point-shot-to-open-scoring-in-4-nations-final/" }); });
Sidney Crosby 7.5/10 Crosby had a great chance to score late in the second and add to his big-game legacy with Canada, but Team USA defenceman Jaccob Slavin slapped a loose puck away just a split second before Crosby could get his stick on it. Crosby may not have been a huge factor in the final game, but he was still strong and dependable.
Sam Reinhart 7.5/10 Reinhart played his usual, unglamorous, effective game. He provided a good screen on MacKinnon’s tally and saw more ice time (20:01) than every Canadian forward other than McDavid and MacKinnon.
Sam Bennett 10/10 You could tell from the jump Bennett was going to be a huge factor in the final. He had a great chance to score in the first when he took the puck hard to the net, but couldn’t stuff it past Hellebuyck. When he got his chance late in the second, he made no mistake, roofing a shot to tie the game. Bennett’s six shots on goal were the most by anybody in the game.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369126543112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369126543112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369126543112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-515166" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369126543112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/6369126543112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/canadas-bennett-roofs-equalizer-past-hellebuyck-off-marners-feed/" }); });
Mark Stone 6.5/10 Stone was moved off McDavid’s line when the trio just wasn’t producing enough chances. He never hurts you out there, but he had to play more of a support role in the final
Brandon Hagel 7.5/10 Hagel wound up playing 15:23, most of any bottom-six skater in Canada’s forward crew.
Anthony Cirelli 7.5 Cirelli won 75 per cent of his draws, the best mark in the game for any player who took five face-offs (he was 6-for-8). The final was his best game of the 4 Nations.
Brad Marchand 6.5/10 It had to be sweet for the Bruins captain winning this one at “home,” even if he played the least (12:23) of any Canadian player.
Seth Jarvis 7/10 It was a mild surprise to see Jarvis inserted into the lineup for Travis Konecny, but the speedy winger had his share of chances and could easily have bagged a goal in the final.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369133328112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369133328112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369133328112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-831185" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369133328112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/6369133328112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/canada-takes-team-photo-after-4-nations-face-off-victory/" }); });
DEFENCE
Cale Makar 9.5/10 In another world, we might have been talking about Makar as the hero, but his floater from the blue line — when the game was tied 2-2 near the halfway point of the third — clanked off the post. Regardless, he played more than any Canadian skater (28:17) and, as always, created so much on the ice.
Devon Toews 9/10 Toews was right behind Makar in terms of ice (27:27). He was handed a huge amount of responsibility and handled it well.
Thomas Harley 8.5/10 Once again, Harley got the tap to come into the lineup (this time it was for an ill Josh Morrissey) and, just like when he replaced Makar in the round-robin matchup with the Americans, the 23-year-old looked right at home playing with and against the best players in the world. Only Makar and Toews skated more than Harley, who will surely be a full-time player for Canada in one year’s time.
Drew Doughty 8.5/10 The cagey vet saved his best game for last. Doughty was consistently taking hits to make plays in the defensive zone and looked as steady as ever back there.
Colton Parayko 7.5/10 Parayko used his big body well against a tough American forecheck and had a great chance to be the hero in the third period when he ripped a point shot that Hellebuyck just got a blocker on.
Travis Sanheim 7/10 Sanheim and Parayko were on the ice for the second U.S. goal, but by and large Canada’s third pair did its job.
GOALIE
Jordan Binnington 10/10 Binnington made big saves throughout the first 60 minutes of the game, but destroyed all the doubters in overtime with his game-saving play. He made a circus-level save off Auston Matthews with his right pad on a one-timer and stole another from Brady Tkachuk at the side of the net with his glove. He more than vindicated the Canadian staff’s faith in him and could easily have been named MVP of the final game.
