USA’s Auston Matthews: ‘There’s no way I was missing’ 4 Nations final against Canada

Team USA captain Auston Matthews will return to the lineup for Thursday’s championship final against Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“There’s no way I was missing this game,” Matthews said Wednesday per Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, two days after missing the round-robin final versus Sweden due to an upper-body injury.

Matthews also confirmed to Fox that the upper-body ailment is different than the injury that has kept him out of the lineup for 15 games this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, including a nine-game absence through late November in which he traveled to Germany to receive medical treatment.

Through a pair of appearances at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Matthews has registered one assist. Meanwhile, the 2024-25 campaign has seen him record 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points through 40 outings with the Maple Leafs, including seven points in the four games prior to breaking for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Originally chosen first overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft, the ensuing nine seasons have witnessed the 27-year-old Arizona product rack up 388 goals and 306 assists for 694 points in 602 career contests.

In all, Matthews has been a three-time recipient of the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer, while in 2021-22 he took home the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP after posting 106 points counting 60 goals and 46 assists in 73 contests. On two occasions, Matthews has reached the 60-goal plateau, including a career-high 69 tallies coming last season. To note, Matthews sits third in goals for the iconic franchise, two back of Darryl Sittler for second place and 33 away from surpassing Mats Sundin for the most goals in Maple Leafs’ history.

Beyond the 4 Nations Face-Off, Matthews has most recently represented the United States at the 2016 World Juniors as well as the 2016 IIHF World Championship.