Top Contenders for MVP Ahead of Canada-U.S. Championship Clash

Top Contenders for MVP Ahead of Canada-U.S. Championship Clash
Grzegorz
Grzegorz5 months ago

Crosby, Hellebuyck Among Top Names for MVP as Canada Faces U.S. in Championship

The 4 Nations Face-Off is proving to be an event for the ages.

After an exhilarating series of best-on-best matchups featuring four nations and 92 elite NHL players, we’re down to the final two teams. Canada and the United States are set to battle for the title at TD Garden in Boston come Thursday night (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, ESPN, Disney+, SN, TVAS). This winner-takes-all bout comes just five days after their electrifying round-robin clash at Montreal’s Bell Centre, where the U.S. claimed a 3-1 victory.

Once the dust settles, one outstanding player will be named MVP of the 4 Nations tournament, distinguishing themselves among a constellation of hockey stars.

As we anticipate this announcement, NHL.com’s panel of writers, who’ve been tracking the event, share their insights on the possible MVP candidates. Here are seven players likely in the running, listed alphabetically.

  1. Sidney Crosby, Canada: Should Canada triumph, “Captain Canada” Sidney Crosby is primed to snag another MVP trophy, enhancing his already stellar international track record. Even if Canada falls short, Crosby’s performance makes a strong case for his MVP candidacy. Initially doubtful due to injury concerns, Crosby has emerged with four assists, notably contributing three in Canada’s 4-3 overtime victory over Sweden on February 12. He capped a 5-3 win against Finland with an empty-netter after Finland clawed back from a 4-0 deficit with a trio of third-period goals. Crosby is tied with U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski as the tournament’s top scorer, matching expectations with his leadership and composure.

  2. Jake Guentzel, United States: Regarding the front-runner for tournament MVP up to now, Jake Guentzel appears to take the spotlight. In the pivotal U.S. 3-1 win over Canada, Guentzel netted two crucial goals: the first tying the game in response to Connor McDavid’s early strike, and the second sealing the victory with an empty-net shot. His scoring against Finland’s 6-1 defeat ties him with Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon and Finland’s Mikael Granlund for top goals.

  3. Connor Hellebuyck, United States: Connor Hellebuyck remains my choice for being the pivotal player entering this tournament. Goaltending provides a decisive advantage for the Americans, strongly confirmed during their Saturday win over Canada. With staunch defensive play post-leading 2-1, the game stood starkly different thanks to Hellebuyck’s mastery. Without a goalie of caliber such as Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur, Canada’s Jordan Binnington allowed two questionable goals, lacking room for mistakes. For victory on Thursday, Hellebuyck must once again outshine his opponents.

  4. Connor McDavid, Canada: As the premier NHL player, Connor McDavid seems destined to earn recognition in this tournament. Unlike his Stanley Cup finals MVP award with the Oilers despite a series loss to Florida, McDavid is poised to shine brighter here against the U.S. With two goals and two assists in three games, he’s vital for Canada’s success, especially following his unforgettable breakaway goal against the U.S. in Montreal.

  5. Jaccob Slavin, United States: Focusing solely on points misses the essence of this tournament’s competitiveness. Consider the initial Canada-U.S. face-off, where top players sparred with scoring chances kept minimal (26-23 shots favoring Canada from 49 total). Slavin, undoubtedly the standout defenseman, has arguably been the tournament’s leading player. Logging a game-high 25:36 against Canada, Slavin maintained great form against stars like McDavid and Crosby without recording any points yet held vital plus-minus advantages in subsequent matches.

  6. Brady Tkachuk, United States: While many U.S. players could claim MVP honors, Brady Tkachuk grabs attention. Opening against Finland with two goals, he earned the player of the game and Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey number 13. Described as a “beast” by teammates for his physical play with eight impactful hits, Tkachuk embodies the team’s spirit.

  7. Zach Werenski, United States: Werenski stands out not only by scoring ranks but as an all-around defensive leader. His efforts in keeping Canada limited to one goal, coupled with vital plays like Charlie McAvoy’s pivotal hit on McDavid, showcase his dual-role effectiveness on the ice.

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