Finland Stays Alive at 4 Nations, Beats Sweden in OT

Mikael Granlund scored 1:49 into overtime to lead Finland to a 4-3 win over Sweden in a must-win game at the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Saturday afternoon.

With the win, Finland picked up 2 points in the standings to keep itself in the running to play for the championship Thursday in Boston.

In what was the first game of Rivalry Day in Montreal, the matchup between Sweden and Finland did not disappoint.

Neither team held more than a one-goal lead througout.

Sweden struck first on a goal from Mika Zibanejad 8:35 into the game — only to see Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen get loose on a rush for Finland moments later.

The only Swedish defender standing between the Florida forwards was teammate Gus Forsling. Didn’t matter. Lundell ripped a shot through at 10:58 to tie the score at 1.

Finland took a 2-1 lead early in the second before Sweden made it 3-2 with a pair of goals from Rasmus Dahlin and Erik Karlsson.

Sasha Barkov, captain of both the Panthers and for Finland, knocked in a shot from Olli Maatta with Kaapo Kakko right there with him in front of Swedish goalie Linus Ullmark.

Barkov later blocked a shot with his skate and limped into the room after the second period — but returned, only to get hit in the face with a high stick.

He had a chance to give Finland a 4-3 on a breakaway coming out of the penalty box midway through the third but his backhand shot was off the net.

FHN’S 3 STARS OF THE GAME

• 1. Mikael Granlund, Finland
• 2. Sasha Barkov, Finland
• 3. Erik Karlsson, Sweden

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF SCHEDULE

At Bell Centre, Montreal

• Wednesday: Canada 4, Sweden 3 (OT)
• Thursday: United States 6, Finland 1
• Today: Finland 4, Sweden 3 (OT); United States vs. Canada, 8 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+)

At TD Garden, Boston

• Monday: Canada vs. Finland, 1 p.m. (TNT/truTV, Max); Sweden vs. United States, 8 p.m. (TNT/truTV, Max)
• Thursday: Championship game, 8 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+)

Standings

• 1. United States 3 points
• 2. Canada 2
• 2. Finland 2
• 2. Sweden 2