Team USA lost to Team Canada 3-2 within the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game. Each of the games between the rival squads were defensive struggles with great goaltending, which is consistent with previous matchups. Team USA got here to the 4 Nations without Quinn Hughes and lost Charlie McAvoy in order that they needed someone to step up on Thursday. Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin was that guy and coach Mike Sullivan noticed.
“Jaccob Slavin may be top-of-the-line defending defensemen within the league, bar none,” Sullivan told The Athletic’s Michael Russo.
Slavin has been the highest defenseman on the Hurricanes for the past decade and all of his value is available in the defensive end. He played 28:32 within the time beyond regulation marathon and was not on the ice for a goal against. He blocked multiple shots and made a couple of solid plays within the defensive zone.
Team USA was one goal away from winning the 4 Nations. Within the two games against Team Canada, Slavin played over 58 minutes while not allowing a goal. Keeping the good Canadian players away from Connor Hellebuyck helped the team this yr and can in the longer term.
If the Americans are going to beat the Canadians in the longer term, Jaccob Slavin and players like him might be key.
4 Nations is only the start of this USA core
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Despite the loss on Thursday night, Team USA has rather a lot to construct on moving forward. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced before the 4 Nations Face-Off that international best-on-best is here to remain. The league will send their players to the Olympics and play the World Cup of Hockey starting in 2028. So for Team USA, seeing Slavin dominate this week is large.
Within the 4 games of the 4 Nations Face-Off, Team USA allowed just seven goals. Between Charlie McAvoy, before he got hurt, Slavin, Zach Werenski, and goalie Connor Hellebuyck, that they had an excellent unit keeping the puck out of the web. Add Quinn Hughes, who missed the tournament with injury, and the 2026 Olympic team must have an excellent defensive unit.
Slavin proved Thursday he’s among the many most beneficial defensemen within the league. With guys who can drive the offense like Hughes and Werenski on other pairs, they’ve great depth. Slavin played most of this tournament with 22-year-old Brock Faber, shepherding him along in the largest games of his life.
Team USA could have lost the 4 Nations Face-Off but Jaccob Slavin is one in every of the various highlights to remove heading into the 2026 Olympics and beyond.
