Auston Matthews Fuels Rivalry Ahead of Intense USA-Canada Clash
Team USA captain Auston Matthews had some insightful comments ahead of Saturday's heated matchup between Team Canada and Team USA at the Four Nations Face-Off.
All eyes are set on Team Canada vs. Team USA on Saturday night as the two hockey powerhouses face off in what is no doubt going to be a heated and passionate affair in all facets of the game.
Team USA captain Auston Matthews recognizes this and had some pretty humble and respectful comments ahead of the North American clash:
We know the building's gonna be a lot of fun. That makes sense rivalry special for you. I mean, I think it goes back a long time.
Obviously, like I've said before, there's a lot of pride in all these countries. So I think especially Canada here and in the US, between the pride just in their hockey and all that stuff that goes into it.
I mean, there's some pretty amazing players on all four teams and both sides. So, in these kinds of formats, the best on best.
I mean, we obviously share a border with Canada, so I think that rivalry is always gonna be there. It's always gonna be an intense matchup.
So with yet another rivalry game in front of us, let's take a brief look at the how things might play out.
Team Canada vs. Team USA: North American Fireworks
It's the game that we've all been waiting for. The two hockey behemoths facing off in Canada, amidst a lot of tension between the two countries.
Both teams are coming off a win, albeit in different circumstances. The US team cruised to a 6-1 victory over Finland on Thursday, while Canada won in the tournament opener vs. Sweden -- it took them overtime to do it.
Even before the tournament things were already getting heated, as Team Canada forward Brad Marchand had some pretty passionate comments regarding how things are going to play out with "guys being out for blood."
Team USA is going to look to Matthews as well as their powerful group of forwards like Brady and Matthew Tkachuk as well as Jack Hughes; Connor Hellebuyck is the scheduled starter for Saturday's game.
Team Canada is going to counter with Matthews' teammate Mitch Marner, as well as Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Nathan MacKinnon and will see Jordan Binnington between the pipes.
It might be a bit tougher for Canada however, as they may be without defenseman Cale Makar -- who is dealing with an unspecified illness.
The much-anticipated game between Team USA and Team Canada takes place from the Bell Centre with the puck drop scheduled for 8PM ET.
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![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) plays the puck against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/529741.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) plays the puck against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
