Among the NHL teammates who will be on opposite benches during the 4-Nations Face-Off include Toronto Maple Leafs stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Matthews, who grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz., will be representing the USA while Nylander will be representing his native Sweden.
Squaring off with nearly identical records entering Wednesday’s contest, the Toronto Maple Leafs were presented with a key opportunity to get out of a rut against a quality Minnesota Wild team, with a four-game road trip on the horizon before the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
It wasn’t until William Nylander, the ‘Breakaway Man,’ went toe-to-toe with fellow Swede and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson on yet another chance in alone but striking the
Auston Matthews and William Nylander have been Toronto Maple Leafs teammates for nine seasons. They've displayed elite chemistry throughout their time together.
Auston Matthews being named Team USA captain comes as no great surprise but it is a testament to his health as he's looked better in January than any other month this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander spoke about playing for Team Sweden ahead of his team's final home game before the NHL breaks for the 4 Nations Face-Off next month. Nylander was named to the team back in the summer as part of the country's 'first six' players and shared that the team has established a way to communicate.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews made his thoughts extremely clear about William Nylander's overtime winner in the Maple Leafs' 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Crosby has plenty of international experience for Canada while Leafs star Matthews is the Americans’ biggest threat for the best-on-best tournament.
William Nylander scored his second goal of the game at 1:10 of overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Thursday night.
Auston Matthews will head the United States’ leadership group at the 4 Nations Face-Off. USA Hockey announced on Thursday afternoon that the Maple Leafs captain will be its captain for the event in Montreal and Boston, running from Feb. 12-20. Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers and Charlie McAvoy each will wear an ‘A’ for the United States.
The United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden will play in the Feb. 12-20 4 Nations Face-Off. Here are the rosters and captains.