Team USA appears set to near full strength for Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada.
U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters Tuesday that both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are expected to play and that he anticipates captain Auston Matthews being available for the championship.
Matthew Tkachuk and Matthews missed Monday night's loss to Sweden due to injuries, but both were expected to be capable of returning to the American lineup for the final.
Matthew suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday’s fight-filled win over Canada. The 27-year-old skated just 1:13 in the third period after testing out something that seemed to bother him. He appeared to tell assistant coach John Tortorella at one point that he “couldn’t go.”
Canada vs. USA in 4 Nations Face-Off final on Sportsnet
Fierce rivals Canada and the U.S. collide in Boston on Thursday for the 4 Nations Face-Off final. Full coverage begins on on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT.
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Brady, meanwhile, exited early against Sweden for precautionary reasons after he slammed into the post while going in on net.
Finally, Matthews was "battling something," according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and was given the night off to rest.
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