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OTT — Four Nations and Predictions |
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The Four Nations games commence tomorrow evening from Montreal, Quebec, Canada featuring the United States of America, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. Four games will played over the course of three days in Montreal, followed by the championship games in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Ottawa Senators have four skaters from their current roster on teams; and three former members on rosters as well.
United States
F Brady Tkachuk has 44 points in 56 games as the leader of the Ottawa Senators. He is skating with Miller and Boldy.
D Jake Sanderson has 35 points in 55 games with the Senators this season. Sanderson was a last minute replacement for the injured Quinn Hughes (VAN). He is currently the seventh defender.
Sweden
G Filip Gustavsson is having a career best year with Minnesota with an 23-11-3 record; and is the starter.
G Linus Ullmark is 12-9-2 win/loss record with a 2.49 goals against and a 0.915 save percentage in his first year with the Ottawa Senators. Ullmark is expected to be the backup for game one.
D Erik Karlsson has 38 points in 55 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins; chatter of a potential reunion in Ottawa has been circulating of late. He is paired with Ekholm in practice.
F Mika Zibanejad is not having his best season as he has 37 points in 55 games this season for the New York Rangers. He has been projected to be between Nylander and Rakell.
Finland
D Nikolas Matinpalo is pointless through 22 career NHL games all with Ottawa; the Finnish defender was a last minute replacement for the injuries on the backend to Miro Heskianen (DAL); Rasmus Ristalonen (PHI); and Janni Hakanpaa (TOR). He is slated to be the spare defender.
Canada
F Mark Stone — the captain of the Vegas Golden Knights has 49 points in 42 games this season. He is practicing with Crosby and MacKinnon on the second line.
All Four Nations’ rosters have stacked and strong rosters, as they have brought their best available roster in the eyes of the management and coaching staff.
Predictions
United States has the best goaltending tandem; Canada has the best offense on all four lines; Finland has the most flash up front and will score; Sweden has the most depth in all three positions.
February 12 is Sweden v Canada; Canada takes the first in continuous ten minute three v three overtime, 5-4.
February 13 is Finland v United States; USA take this 3-2 in regulation.
February 15 is an afternoon Finland v Sweden matchup; Swedes take this 2-1.
February 15 in the evening is United States v Canada; the States upset Canada in Montreal, 4-3.
February 17 moves the games to Boston with Canada and Finland going to sudden death in favor of the Canadians, 2-1.
The evening of the 17th is the States and Sweden; with the Americans taking this one 1-0 in regulation with a McAvoy game winner in his building.
Championship game on Feb 20 would be a U.S.A. versus Canada part two; Crosby nets the winner in regulation for a 5-3 Canadian victory.
More to come…
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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