USA’s Auston Matthews rests vs. Sweden, will play final vs. Canada
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, U.S. captain Auston Matthews is battling something and sat out Monday’s game against Sweden to rest in order to play against Canada.
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Team USA is trying to ensure its top talent will be ready to go Thursday when it faces Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, U.S. captain Auston Matthews is battling something and sat out Monday’s game against Sweden to rest in order to play against Canada.
The Toronto Maple Leafs star has been relatively quiet through his country’s first two games of the tournament. Matthews recorded an assist in the USA’s win over Finland and went pointless in the victory over Canada on Saturday night.
However, Matthews has been one of the most frequently used American skaters, logging 19:52 and 20:39 of ice time in the first two contests, respectively.
His absence forced the team to play one short skater on Monday.
The U.S. was already without Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy, who were replaced by Chris Kreider and Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson in the lineup.
Canada locked its spot into the 4 Nations final earlier Monday with a 5-3 win over Finland.
