Canada meets Finland in must win matchup

It had been 15 years since Sidney Crosby and Team Canada lost a game, but that all changed on Saturday night when they dropped a thriller to the United States 3-1.

With Canada and Finland tied in points after two games, the winner of this matchup books their ticket to the Championship game against the Americans on Thursday. The back half of the 4 Nations Face-Off heads to Boston, where TD Garden will be the home of the remainder of the tournament. I don't think anything changes for either team because it's on American ice.

The Canadian contingency for the Canadiens will be watching intently, regardless of Joel Armia, and Patrik Laine being on the other side. Friendships are put on pause, and with Canada looking to book their ticket for a rematch, this should be a good game. Both teams are searching for their first regulation win and it couldn't arrive at a better time.

Canadian head coach Jon Cooper announced Jordan Binnington as his starter, but one thing is certain, he will need to clean up the soft goal. The fact that there was a debate about who will start between the pipes for Canada, tells you all that you need to know. Binnington's play hasn't been mistake-free, and they need their goalie to hold the fort.

Cooper gets the last call, so we stand behind Binnington.

Finland on the other hand has decided to give Kevin Lankinen the nod, after Finland beat Sweden in overtime with the Vancouver Canuck guarding the crease. Juuse Saros dropped the Finns' tournament opener against the Americans, who await the winner of the Canada-Finland game. So, Finnish head coach Antti Pennanen decided to roll with the hot goaltender.

McDavid touched on this game being his game seven, and you have to think that given the Oilers' results in the Stanley Cup final, he is not ready to lose again. Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and No. 97 will be leaned on for offence. Also, having Cale Makar back will help Canada's transition game, and their power play gets their 22-goal power-play quarterback back.

If the Canada-USA game was a must-watch, I would call this game a can't-miss if you're a Canadian hockey fan or a fan of Canadian hockey. Finland brings a balanced, smart defensive attack to the ice, but Alex Barkov, Laine, Sebastian Aho and Miiko Rantanen can hurt you on the scoreboard also. MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart, Brayden Point and Crosby need to give McDavid some help out there today.

Onto the game

Enough of all that shenanigans, lets get to the action, TD Garden providing the back drop for the Canada-Finland battle. Win in regulation, and a spot in the gold medal game is secured.

Two of the world's top current two-way centres - Crosby and Barkov. Finland's blueline is banged up without Miro Heiskanen and Rasmus Ristolainen available, so Esa Lindell and Nikko Mikkola will be leaned on for heavy minutes. Canada should try to exploit that with a speed-focused heavy forecheck.

Finland's general game plan of grinding out the clock and forcing overtime won't be helpful today. Finland won't steer from their game plan, but they will need to score some goals. Scoring goals off the rush is the game Canada wants to play.

I expect Laine and Armia to have an impact on this game on opposite sides of the puck, of course.

For the second-straight game, Connor McDavid was given far too much space, and he took advantage of a clean lane to the net, and a defender screening Lankinen. McDavid draws first blood before the game is five minutes old.

And less than a minute later, Nathan MacKinnon who was frustrated by the Americans, scores to put Canada up by two early. Canada has dealt with adversity, and they were ready for this game. It's awfully difficult to doubt a team with Crosby, MacKinnon and Makar - and that guy without a Stanley Cup is pretty good, too (#97?)

That is some ridiculous centre depth coming in clutch early, to grab the momentum. With Nate and Connor on the board, it only feels like the story writes itself. No. 87 it's your turn.

Cooper's decision to shuffle the deck was one that has proven important early. Brayden Point cleaned up the garbage in front of Lankinen off a rebound from Travis Sanheim's shot. McDavid started the play, chugging through the neutral zone, before hitting Sanheim with a pass before entering the Finnish Zone, and Point pulled out some slick moves, tucking it in behind Lankinen.

I was waiting for Point to get elevated in the lineup, he is an elite player, and I feel that Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucerov demand most of the attention. Point is fast, creative and very cerebral and tactical with the puck on his stick. He can keep pace with McDavid and create fast, just like Leon Draisaitl does with No. 97 in Edmonton.

Very good adjustment to spark the offence, putting the impact players in spots to do their thing. Canada up by three after the first 20 minutes of play.

At the five minute mark of the middle frane nothing much was happening, but the Canadians are like viper's today. Nate Dogg fired home a sweet feed to the slot from fellow Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby. Sam Reinhart started the play pulling the puck off the wall and sending a quick small-area pass to Crosby.

After surrendering four goals on 13 Canadian shots, Juuse Saros has come in in relief of Lankinen.

Canada is flexing their strength against the depleted Finnish blueline, and the Canadian blueline is mobile and physical. Finland is trying to grind away, but Canada is on a mission and hasn't strayed from their game plan. Canada is shooting the puck well, and putting a lot of pressure on Finland's defence.

Crosby's 15 assists put him in a tie with Mario Lemieux for most career assists for a Team Canada player. Just one shy of Ray Bourque's 16, just outside of the top three. Mark Messier (20), Paul Coffey (25) and The Great One' (44) nearly double what Coffey has done. Impressive list.

At the 15:25 mark, Canada defender Devon Toews took a slashing penalty against Joel Armia. Finland gets their first power play of the night, and there is a guy wearing 92, who should be watched closely. Fortunately for Canada, Brandon Hagel put on a penalty-killing masterclass that should make Joel Armia proud.

Canada heads into the final period with a four-goal lead, and 20 minutes away from booking their ticket to the championship game. Laser-focused, and well-prepared describes the Canadian squad. Team USA woke up Canada, and they want the rematch badly, with all the chips on the table.

The third period has been a close-out type of vibe for Canada, they are playing a tight-checking affair. Using their speed in the neutral zone, and still pushing for scoring plays, not letting off the gas pedal. Canada is focused, and ready to close out the game.

Finland took a bite out of their four-goal deficit, with a tally from one of their blueliners - Esa Lindell. This has given them some confidence and some pep in their step

And, with just under five minutes left on the clock, Finland has pulled Saros in an attempt to draw within two goals of Canada.

The Finnish assassin Mikael Granlund has struck twice in quick succession, Laine set him up, to draw Finland within two goals. They are hanging around Canada's net, and buzzing with heavy pressure.

23 seconds later, Granlund scored to bring Finland within on goal of Canada, with the game winding down quickly.

But captain Canada put the game out of reach with the Canadians fifth goal of the afternoon.

The three stars of the game are 1 - Nathan MacKinnon, 2 - Connor McDavid and 3 - Mikael Granlund

Canada and USA for the gold medal on Thursday, what a way to finish off this tournament.