‘I’m going to do everything I can to play tomorrow’: Canada’s Cale Makar hopes to play against Finland

Credit: Photo from Anders Marshall/Euro

Missing Saturday night’s 4 Nations Face-Off showdown between Canada and the United States will probably one of the toughest decisions that Cale Makar has had to make in his career, especially with the Canadians losing.

Now with an do-or-die game against Finland on Monday, Makar will try his absolute best to be there for Canada.

“I’m going to do everything I can to play tomorrow,” Makar said during an optional skate on Sunday. “I just got to make sure I feel right.”

The Colorado Avalanche defenseman had been dealing with an illness, causing him to miss Friday’s practice ahead of the game, and while many thought he would draw into the lineup, it was announced just before the game that he would miss the game, with recent roster addition Thomas Harley replacing him in the lineup.

The Canadians went on to lose the game 3-1, with Makar’s presence on the blueline clearly missing as Canada struggled to generate offense. Connor McDavid scored the lone goal for Canada to open the scoring with an excellent solo rush, but the United States got the last laugh as they scored three unanswered goals courtesy of Jake Guentzel, Dylan Larkin and a second from Guentzel in the empty net to secure a spot in the championship game.

While it was unfortunate for Makar and the Canadians that he couldn’t play on Saturday, it was ultimately the decision Makar felt was right, especially with the long run in mind as the Avalanche will be looking to secure a playoff spot down the stretch once the 4 Nations Face-Off concludes.

“I’ve got to do what’s best for myself and make sure I’m ready to go for the rest of the season,” said Makar.

While Canada currently finds themselves in a three-way tie with Finland and Sweden for the second berth in the championship game against the United States, they’re still in control of their destiny. A regulation win over Finland will clinch Canada’s spot in the final game, as they would hold the tiebreaker over Sweden should they beat the United States later that night, thanks to Canada’s opening night 4-3 overtime win over the tre kronor.

But if Canada can only muster an overtime win, they’ll need some help from the USA to get the spot, and if they lose, then it’s a premature exit at the tournament for the Canadians.