USA’s Shocking Loss to Sweden and Growing Injury Crisis Ahead of Canada Rematch in 4 Nations Final!
The game between Team USA and Sweden on Monday night didn’t have any direct tournament implications, but when you’re wearing your country’s colors, there’s no such thing as a meaningless game. Pride was at stake, and for Sweden—who had lost their first two games in overtime—the 2-1 win over Team USA at TD Garden was nothing short of redemption.
But the real story isn’t just Sweden’s stunning victory. It’s the mounting injury concerns that are now threatening Team USA’s chance at glory in the upcoming 4 Nations final against Canada.
The Injury Avalanche
Team USA’s lineup was already stretched thin heading into the game, with Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy ruled out due to an upper-body injury, as well as forward Matthew Tkachuk sidelined with a lower-body issue. As if that wasn’t enough, news broke during warm-ups that the USA’s captain, Auston Matthews, would also miss the game due to upper-body soreness. This left Team USA scrambling with just 11 forwards against Sweden.
But things quickly went from bad to worse.
In the first period, Brady Tkachuk took an awkward crash into the post, and though he briefly returned for a 14-second shift, he was later ruled out for the rest of the game. Head coach Mike Sullivan described the decision to hold Brady out as precautionary, though with the tournament’s final looming, the uncertainty over his condition left fans on edge.
The Tkachuk Brothers: Key to USA’s Final Push?
While Brady’s injury created a major setback for Team USA, both he and his brother Matthew remained optimistic about their chances for the final. Matthew, appearing in the TNT broadcast booth after the game, confidently assured fans that he would be ready for Thursday’s showdown against Canada. But without both Tkachuks, Team USA would lose far more than just two players. Their physical presence, leadership, and energy are integral to the Americans’ chances of success.
The Tkachuk brothers are the heart of Team USA, and losing even one of them would significantly hurt the team’s chances. As Sullivan admitted, Team USA is not yet reaching out to reserve players—though with the flu also hitting the tournament hard, they may have no choice but to make contingency plans.
A Night for the Unexpected Heroes
Amidst the chaos, there was a glimmer of hope. Chris Kreider made a fairytale start to his 4 Nations debut, scoring just 35 seconds into his first shift after being introduced to a roaring TD Garden crowd. The Rangers forward, skating alongside Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk, put the Americans ahead 1-0. It was a dream start, and his teammates were just as excited to see him succeed.
But as the game progressed, Sweden fought back. Gustav Nyquist equalized, and with just 56 seconds left in the first period, Jesper Bratt netted the game-winning goal, leaving the Americans reeling.
And the injuries kept mounting. Vincent Trocheck appeared to injure his right hand on his last shift of the first period, but after heading down the tunnel, he returned to play in the second. Though he finished the game, Trocheck didn’t look entirely comfortable, and fans are holding their breath to see if he’ll be at full strength for the final.
The Road to Redemption: Canada Awaits
With the injuries piling up, Team USA’s road to the final just got a lot tougher. The Americans now have two off days to regroup before facing Canada in the highly anticipated 4 Nations final. It’s clear that if Team USA is to have a shot at winning, they’ll need their stars—especially the Tkachuk brothers—at full health.
But as the tournament has shown, anything can happen. Will Team USA overcome the injury woes and rise to the occasion in the final? Or will their growing list of absentees be their undoing? The answers will come Thursday.
