4 Nations Face-Off: Stone With Crosby; Eichel Centers Top Line

The Vegas Golden Knights won’t play until next Saturday, February 22nd, but five Golden Knights will represent their respective countries in the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament. National teams held their first practices today, and the tournament finally begins on Wednesday, February 12th. 

Jack Eichel skated on the top line for Team USA and will center Kyle Connor and Matthew Tkachuk. With Eichel’s playmaking abilities, Connor’s shot, and Tkachuk’s net-front abilities, I don’t think Team USA could have concocted a better line. 

Noah Hanifin skated with Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber. 

Team Canada caused quite a stir this morning when Golden Knights captain Mark Stone skated with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. Make no mistake: that’s going to be a lethal line. They’re all strong on pucks, defensively competent, and offensively gifted. Stone will also get power play time on the second unit.

Shea Theodore skated with Drew Doughty, who was recently named as Alex Pietrangelo’s replacement. Theodore will slot in on the second power play unit with Mark Stone.

Team USA Lines

Kyle Connor-Jack Eichel-Matthew Tkachuk

Jake Guentzel-Auston Matthews-Jack Hughes

Brady Tkachuk-JT Miller-Matt Boldy

Brock Nelson-Vincent Trocheck-Dylan Larkin

Chris Kreider

Defense

Jaccob Slavin-Adam Fox

Zach Werenski-Charlie McAvoy

Noah Hanifin-Brock Faber

Jake Sanderson

Goaltenders: Connor Hellebuyck/Jake Oettinger/Jeremy Swayman

Team USA Power Play

1st Unit: Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk, Adam Fox

2nd Unit: Brady Tkachuk, Matt Boldy, Jake Guentzel, Kyle Connor, Zach Werenski

Team Canada Lines

Sam Reinhart-Connor McDavid-Mitch Marner

Mark Stone-Sidney Crosby-Nathan MacKinnon

Seth Jarvis-Brayden Point-Brad Marchand

Brandon Hagel-Anthony Cirelli-Travis Konecny

Sam Bennett

Defense

Devon Toews-Cale Makar

Shea Theodore-Drew Doughty

Josh Morrissey-Colton Parayko

Travis Sanheim

Goaltenders: Adin Hill/Jordan Binnington/Sam Montembeault

Shea Theodore-Drew Doughty

Team Canada Power Play

1st Unit: Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Sam Reinhart, Cale Makar

2nd Unit: Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Brayden Point, Travis Konecny, Shea Theodore