Tkachuk No Go Tonight, But ‘Good’ for USA in 4 Nations Final

Matthew Tkachuk will not play tonight when Team USA plays Sweden at the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off — but brother Brady says he will be “good to go” in Thursday’s championship game.

Tkachuk only played three shifts in the third period of a 3-1 win over Canada on Saturday, leaving with a lower-body injury.

Team USA has already stamped its ticket to the final, so, Tkachuk really is not needed tonight.

“Smart for him to rest up knowing that we’ll already be there Thursday,” Brady Tkachuk said per NHL.com, “and he’ll be ready to go.”

Jake Guentzel leads all players with three goals in the 4 Nations tournament; the Tkachuk brothers are tied for second with two goals each.

“He’s obviously a big part of this team just the way he plays, and his leadership,” US captain Auston Matthews said.

“Everything that he brings to the table. You know, we’ve got a lot of guys that can fill in those spots, have a bigger impact, bigger role. It’s up to us to fill that void. He’ll be a big loss tonight. He’s very vocal in the room and stuff like that.”

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF SCHEDULE/RESULTS

At Montreal

• Wednesday: Canada 4, Sweden 3 (OT)
• Thursday: United States 6, Finland 1
• Saturday: Finland 4, Sweden 3 OT; United States 3, Canada 1

At Boston Garden

• Today: 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 6 points
• 2. Canada 2
• 2. Finland 2
• 2. Sweden 2