United States vs. Canada: How to Watch, Lines, Betting Odds

For those who thought NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off was going to have the intensity of your garden-variety All-Star Game, just wait until Canada plays the United States tonight in Montreal.

The compete level has already been intense, but it should be off-the-charts nasty for this one.

The hockey rivalry between Canada and the United States has taken a turn for the better over the past few decades, and this could be the first of two meetings between them in this midseason tournament.

Most expect the two to play for the title Thursday in Boston.

We’ll see.

After scoring a pair of goals against Finland on Thursday, Matthew Tkachuk told Sportsnet that “I’ve thought about this game for nine years, so we’ll be ready for it.”

Playing in Montreal was always going to mean playing in front of a pro-Canadian crowd, but with the way this tournament has gone — and the political cloud hovering over things — Bell Centre should be a very tough place to play.

“You can’t draw it up any better,” Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey said. “Saturday night, Montreal; U.S.-Canada. It’s going to be unreal. I think everyone is absolutely jacked for it.”

Plus, you have Sam Bennett teaming up with Brad Marchand to potentially take on the Team USA top line of Jack Eichel with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.

Should be a spicy night in Montreal.

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF NOTES

• Cale Makar took part in morning skate for Canada after hemissed Friday with an illness — leaving his team with five defensemen after Shea Theodore was hurt and ruled out of the tournament. Thomas Harley of the Dallas Stars has been called up to the team but could not skate Saturday; Makar is a game-time decision.
• How to Watch: Tonight’s game is available on ABC and can be streamed on ESPN+. In Canada, tune into Sportsnet and TVAS.
• Starting Goalies: Canada coach Jon Cooper is going back with St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington after he got the OT win against Sweden on Wednesday. Connor Hellebuyck, who gave up one goal to Finland Thursday, goes again for Team USA.
• NHL Betting Odds: Canada is a slight favorite on the money line (-120) at the local book. To with the home team, a $120 bet pays $100; If you think Team USA will win, $110 wins $100. It’s a pick ‘em.

ON DECK

UNITED STATES vs. CANADA

• When: Today, 8 p.m.
• Where: Bell Centre, Montreal
• National TV: ABC
• Streaming: ESPN+
• Radio: NHL Network SiriusXM
• Betting Odds — Canada Favored: Money Line (-120); Puck line (-1.5, +210); Over/Under 6.5 (+100/-120)

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

PROJECTED TEAM USA (1-0, 3 points) LINES

7 Brady Tkachuk (OTT)  // 9 Jack Eichel (VGK) // 19 Matthew Tkachuk (FLA)

59 Jake Guentzel (TBL) // 34 Auston Matthews (TOR) // 86 Jack Hughes (NJD)

10 J.T. Miller (NYR) // 21 Dylan Larkin (DET) // 12 Matt Boldy (MIN)

29 Brock Nelson (NYI) // 16 Vincent Trocheck (NYR) // 81 Kyle Connor (WPG)

8 Zach Werenski (CBS) // 25 Charlie McAvoy (BOS)

74 Jaccob Slavin (CAR) // 23 Adam Fox (NYR)

15 Noah Hanifin (VGK) // 14 Brock Faber (MIN)

37 Connor Hellebuyck (WPG)

30 Jake Oettinger (DAL)

Scratched: Chris Kreider (NYR), Jake Sanderson (OTT), Jeremy Swayman (BOS)

Injured: None

PROJECTED TEAM CANADA (1-0, 3 points) LINES

13 Sam Reinhart (FLA) // 97 Connor McDavid (EDM) // 16 Mitch Marner (TOR)

87 Sidney Crosby (PGH) // 29 Nathan MacKinnon (COL) // 61 Mark Stone (VGK)

38 Brandon Hagel (TBL) // 71 Anthony Cirelli (TBL) // 21 Brayden Point (TBL)

63 Brad Marchand (BOS) // 9 Sam Bennett (FLA) // 24 Seth Jarvis (CAR)

5 Devon Toews (COL) // 8 Cale Makar (COL)

44 Josh Morrissey (WPG) // 55 Colton Parayko (STL)

6 Travis Sanheim (PHL) // 89 Drew Doughty (LAK)

50 Jordan Binnington (STL)

33 Adin Hill (VGK)

Scratched: Travis Konecny (PHL), Samuel Montembeault (MON)

Injured: Shea Theodore-UBI (VGK)