4 Nation Face-Off. Your interest to watch?

[DelPen]

How many players after this thing will go on LTIR that might actually help their teams at the deadline for playoffs trades?

[DelPen]

Anyone but McDavid. ****

[Crash66]

Crap

[penscup]

Finally delivers. Lightning quick release on that shot.

[KG]

Can’t leave McDavid open in the slot.

Great game. Time for Sid to come back home and play on our crumby team.

He’s clearly injured. Wouldn’t be surprised if he sits out some games.

[Michael74]

Great game, awful result!

[Zalapski33]

Some Great Hockey during this Tournament.A lot of guys played through injuries on Team USA and Canada.

Binnington was the Star of this Game,especially in OT.Huge stops on Matthews.

McDavid got the GWG in spite of a lackluster performance.He looked like he wasn't that Happy Post Game.Marner set him up perfectly.Great Shot to Win it.

MacKinnon was terrific for Canada,Slavin and Larkin stood out for USA.The McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuck injuries were a factor,USA missed them.

Lastly,once again the Great Sidney Crosby adds another Honor to his incredible Career.Played at a High Level through injury and displayed his Leadership and Class once again.

[KG]

Sully scratching 30 goal scorer Kyle Connor to play Kreider, is a choice.

Connor is a true sniper who can change the game with one shot.

[Michael74]

Just makes you feel sick that Canada pulled this out. We had injuries to our blue line and what not, but you can't leave McDavid alone in the slot.

[Zalapski33]

Sully scratching 30 goal scorer Kyle Connor to play Kreider, is a choice.

Connor is a true sniper who can change the game with one shot.

And barely played Kreider in this game.Connor would have been a difficult guy to defend.

To quote the Great Mike Lange- "We've Seen that Fish Before!".

[Daniel]

I’m not sure this was mentioned, but the USA win against Canada was the first international loss since Crosby was named captain back in 2010. 26 straight international wins with Crosby as captain. Truly remarkable.

[penscup]

Makar made a huge difference in the game too which I assumed he would. He is easily going to be a first ballot HOF'er when his career is over.
His talent is off the charts.

[BigMcK]

I'm picking Crosby to play on our neighborhood street ⁰hockey league regardless of how old he may be.

So there will be some behind the scenes locker room video on YouTube. The way they intertwined Miracle with today's players was cheesy.

Some great hockey skills on display for the tournament. The emotions between winners and losers was real.

[Puck-Lurker]

Sure beats the normal all stars nonsense

[Skatingpen]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Crosby sits out some games. You could tell he couldn’t shoot the puck. Hope he plays Saturday because I will be at the game!!

[pronovost19]

Sure beats the normal all stars nonsense

Why it was way worse than the normal all star game.

1. Hockey was disrupted for 2 weeks.
2. Players got hurt.
3. NHL flexed on the Olympics and Summit Series which is so wrong.
4. Using Miracle on Ice to compare this meh tourney to the 80 Olympics was embarrassing.
5. No fan interaction. Didn’t see any autographs being signed.
6. The announcers were trained to pump it up like it was a big deal. They don’t do that at all star games. It is about having fun and fan interaction.
7. The references to “the next Paul Henderson” comment was about the most idiotic thing ever said on a hockey broadcast.


I could go on and on. 4 Nations was a self-serving NHL propaganda piece. It was designed to bring in new fans. Where it missed the mark was it ticked off most of us older fans.

[Pitts]

Sure beats the normal all stars nonsense

Why it was way worse than the normal all star game.

1. Hockey was disrupted for 2 weeks.
2. Players got hurt.
3. NHL flexed on the Olympics and Summit Series which is so wrong.
4. Using Miracle on Ice to compare this meh tourney to the 80 Olympics was embarrassing.
5. No fan interaction. Didn’t see any autographs being signed.
6. The announcers were trained to pump it up like it was a big deal. They don’t do that at all star games. It is about having fun and fan interaction.
7. The references to “the next Paul Henderson” comment was about the most idiotic thing ever said on a hockey broadcast.


I could go on and on. 4 Nations was a self-serving NHL propaganda piece. It was designed to bring in new fans. Where it missed the mark was it ticked off most of us older fans.

All that said, it was still way better than the lame all star game.

My only "beef" would be that Finland and Sweden were literally after thoughts for this whole tournament. Did anyone ever talk about them? Did they even play? Admittedly, the insane start to the first US Canada game bogarted the whole storyline of this tournament. I wonder if a better format would be US/Canada best of 3, Sweden/Finland Best of 3 then a championship game? IDK, maybe not.

LOL!
What about US/Canada best of 3
Sweden/Finland best of 3
Then pick new teams between them and do a North America vs. "Europe" final!

[lemieuxReturns]

I loved watching it but that was because the Penguins are not competing for a cup. It was the most exciting hockey to watch for a Penguins fan in a while. BUT, if I was a team that was competing for a cup, I would hate this tournament. It is a bunch of game-7-level-intensity games in the middle of the hockey season that could deride your entire playoff hopes. I think once we start to see the injury list of these players reality is going to set in for the cup contenders.

[maopens]

I love Mike Euzione. That game in 1980 may be the greatest sporting event I've seen in my lifetime.

But that game on Feb. 22, 1980 wasn't just a hockey game. It was defined largely by the time, the climate, the Cold War, the staredown between the United States and our generational enemy, the Soviet Union.

The attempt to make last night's game a second coming of the Miracle on Ice game was misplaced. I didn't like it at all.

Canada is not our enemy. They never have been. They are our closest neighbor, and ally, in every definition of those words.

I hate Russia (still). I have never hated Canada.

[Cow_Master66]

I enjoyed it, but in general all-star events are stupid. The idea that last night will have any noticeable impact on viewership (long-term) is dumb, because it won't. This is a league that refuses to protect its stars, refuses to hold refs accountable for calling every penalty which would make the game much more exciting to watch. The only out of the box thinking these boneheads have come up with is 3-3 OT and shootouts. 3-3 is fun, albeit stupid at the same time. Shootouts suck IMO, and have totally ruined the most exciting play him hockey (penalty shot). OTLs are also stupid.

Lot of stupid, but the gist of it is, hockey isn't good on TV. It will never be on par with the major sports for that reason alone, and coupled with the refusal to protect stars, over expansion, and the plethora of other bone headedness....wait, what was the topic?

[Gunnerfan]

Sure beats the normal all stars nonsense

Why it was way worse than the normal all star game.

1. Hockey was disrupted for 2 weeks.
2. Players got hurt.
3. NHL flexed on the Olympics and Summit Series which is so wrong.
4. Using Miracle on Ice to compare this meh tourney to the 80 Olympics was embarrassing.
5. No fan interaction. Didn’t see any autographs being signed.
6. The announcers were trained to pump it up like it was a big deal. They don’t do that at all star games. It is about having fun and fan interaction.
7. The references to “the next Paul Henderson” comment was about the most idiotic thing ever said on a hockey broadcast.


I could go on and on. 4 Nations was a self-serving NHL propaganda piece. It was designed to bring in new fans. Where it missed the mark was it ticked off most of us older fans.

It ticked off most of us older fans? I think you just mean you. There was no generational separation on this at all, and it was overwhelmingly popular across the board.

[Pruezy11881]

I agree that it was popular. NHL did something well compared to other major sports who's All-star games and festivities have become a joke with no effort. These guys were balls to the wall for the countries. It was highly entertaining, competitive hockey and even the most casual fans were up for it.

[Tico Rick]

Sure beats the normal all stars nonsense

Why it was way worse than the normal all star game.

1. Hockey was disrupted for 2 weeks.
2. Players got hurt.
3. NHL flexed on the Olympics and Summit Series which is so wrong.
4. Using Miracle on Ice to compare this meh tourney to the 80 Olympics was embarrassing.
5. No fan interaction. Didn’t see any autographs being signed.
6. The announcers were trained to pump it up like it was a big deal. They don’t do that at all star games. It is about having fun and fan interaction.
7. The references to “the next Paul Henderson” comment was about the most idiotic thing ever said on a hockey broadcast.


I could go on and on. 4 Nations was a self-serving NHL propaganda piece. It was designed to bring in new fans. Where it missed the mark was it ticked off most of us older fans.

It ticked off most of us older fans? I think you just mean you. There was no generational separation on this at all, and it was overwhelmingly popular across the board.

As an old geezer myself, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Didn't mean as much without the Russians, but still, it was great hockey, which is always fun to watch.

[KG]

Sure beats the normal all stars nonsense

Why it was way worse than the normal all star game.

1. Hockey was disrupted for 2 weeks.
2. Players got hurt.
3. NHL flexed on the Olympics and Summit Series which is so wrong.
4. Using Miracle on Ice to compare this meh tourney to the 80 Olympics was embarrassing.
5. No fan interaction. Didn’t see any autographs being signed.
6. The announcers were trained to pump it up like it was a big deal. They don’t do that at all star games. It is about having fun and fan interaction.
7. The references to “the next Paul Henderson” comment was about the most idiotic thing ever said on a hockey broadcast.


I could go on and on. 4 Nations was a self-serving NHL propaganda piece. It was designed to bring in new fans. Where it missed the mark was it ticked off most of us older fans.

I agree on using the Miracle on Ice. It was forced and contrived. This isn't USA kids vs. Russian pros in the Olympics during the height of the Cold War. This is a best on best NHL tournament. USA and Canada are very close in talent. I watched a little of the tournament but didn't think this was something that needs to be done all the time.

[Puck-Lurker]

Sure beats the normal all stars nonsense

Why it was way worse than the normal all star game.

1. Hockey was disrupted for 2 weeks.
2. Players got hurt.
3. NHL flexed on the Olympics and Summit Series which is so wrong.
4. Using Miracle on Ice to compare this meh tourney to the 80 Olympics was embarrassing.
5. No fan interaction. Didn’t see any autographs being signed.
6. The announcers were trained to pump it up like it was a big deal. They don’t do that at all star games. It is about having fun and fan interaction.
7. The references to “the next Paul Henderson” comment was about the most idiotic thing ever said on a hockey broadcast.


I could go on and on. 4 Nations was a self-serving NHL propaganda piece. It was designed to bring in new fans. Where it missed the mark was it ticked off most of us older fans.

1. I thought I saw something that sorta looked like hockey. Must've been Lacrosse or Curling I guess?
2. Players get hurt all the time, even when not doing anything hockey related.
3. Eh... okay? One doesn't exclude the other?
4. Agreed there.
5. If so, agreed, that's stupid.
6. People talk up silly BS all the time, to be fair. Listen to any pod trying to hype up the Pens' chances to make the playoffs. Overhyping is something I find annoying too, though.
7. Could be, don't know everything that was ever said on a hockey broadcast to compare.

Of course it's a self-serving propaganda piece, it's an all-star game replacement. The "World Cup of Hockey" was too in its own way. You know, the one the world outside the NHL was cordially uninvited to? If we're to have a different format mini tournament somewhere in the schedule, it might as well be one that has some good hockey. The players seemed to care and enjoy and there was some good hockey.

NHL only cares about their bottom line $$$ but what else is new? I'd watch a hundred of these games before I'll ever tune into the utter clown show the ASG is. No offence intended.