MacKinnon scores, Makar makes huge play as Canada beats USA in OT of 4 Nations finale

The much-anticipated finale to the 4 Nations Faceoff was played on Thursday with a giant splash of Colorado flavor.

Avalanche players started and ended the scoring in the championship as Canada stunned the Americans in Boston for a 3-2 win. And after it was finished Nathan MacKinnon was named MVP of the competition.

Avalanche star and reigning NHL MVP MacKinnon got the scoring started 4:48 in by wheeling around the offensive zone. His fourth of the tournament was assisted by Thomas Harley and Sam Reinhart.

Here’s the Canadian call of Nathan MacKinnon’s goal:

NATHAN MACKINNON OPENS UP THE SCORING FOR CANADA!!! 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/RKK4MOkDmw

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 21, 2025

MacKinnon’s goal kept the lead for a bit but Brady Tkachuk tipped home a failed Auston Matthews wraparound to tie the score before the end of the first period.

Midway through the second period, Team USA takes a 2-1 lead on a Jake Sanderson goal but quickly get called for the game’s first penalty moments later. Despite a big shot from Avs defenseman Cale Makar, the Americans killed it. The Great White North got one more great chance in the middle frame, set up from MacKinnon but before Sidney Crosby could net it, Colorado-born Jacob Slavin stopped the game-tying goal. Fellow Avs d-man Devon Toews also got into the action in the middle, portions proving some physicality.

And then stepped in Sam Bennett, who snapped a top-shelf equalizer to get the championship bout knotted going into the third period.

Slavin blocked another great Canada chance halfway through the third period, this time from his Carolina teammate Seth Jarvis. Canada put together a great flurry in the closing minute of regulation with MacKinnon getting a clean shot off that was stopped by Connor Hellebuyck Makar getting off a tipped shot from the slot but Hellebuyck got to that one too.

Jordan Binnington made not one, not two, not three but four 10-bell saves in succession in the first minutes of overtime. It led to an offense zone faceoff with 11:50 to go in five-a-side sudden death overtime. Connor McDavid shot the draw forward which rimmed around to the boards and was kept in by Makar. His pass was played on by Mitch Marner who sent it to the slot for McDavid who beat Hellebuyck glove side for the game-winner. McDavid’s legendary hero moment was assisted by Makar and Marner at 8:18 of overtime, a moment in Great White North sports history and one Cale played a huge role in.

CONNOR MCDAVID!!!! THE GAME WINNER!!! CANADA WINS THE #4NATIONS FACE-OFF 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/QmPPXdj9wz

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 21, 2025

The Avalanche, who were already back at practice this week without their biggest names, travel to Nashville on Saturday and then host St. Louis on Sunday. The team will look to shake off the rust and decipher what they may need to add ahead of the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline.

MVP MACK 🗣️🗣️ #4Nations pic.twitter.com/WKmE7FERJ2

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 21, 2025