USA’s Auston Matthews, Tkachuk brothers expected back for 4 Nations final
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters Tuesday that forwards Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk are expected to be in the lineup Thursday when the U.S. faces Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game.
While Charlie McAvoy has been ruled out for Four Nations Final, some good news for Team USA on injury front: I’ve been re-assured both Tkachuk brothers intend on playing Thursday vs Canada.
Believe Team USA is talking to league on if they can get injury replacement for McAvoy.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) February 18, 2025
Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk missed Monday night’s loss to Team Sweden due to injuries, but both were expected to be capable of returning to the American lineup for the final. Brady Tkachuk sustained an injury in the first period and left the game shortly after.
Sullivan says Brady Tkachuk’s departure was precautionary, as the team already secured a spot in the championship game on Thursday thanks to two regulation wins over Team Finland and Canada to start the tournament, so their game against Sweden was nothing more than a formality for them.
The U.S. defeated Canada 3-1 on Saturday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Boston Bruins announced that defenseman Charlie McAvoy will not play for the U.S. in Thursday’s championship game.
“Charlie was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday to undergo testing related to an upper-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off and is currently being evaluated by Boston Bruins Head Team Physician Dr. Peter Asnis,” the team said in a statement on social media, adding that the team will provide further updates on his condition and status as soon as it becomes available.
Daily Faceoff hockey insider Frank Seravalli reported that McAvoy was admitted to Mass. General Hospital Monday for an infection that stemmed from a minor injury.