The United States and Canada are set for a rematch in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, following a heated preliminary game marked by several on-ice altercations. This highly anticipated final comes on the heels of a contentious match between the two rivals, which saw multiple fights erupt within seconds of the opening face-off.

The American team has faced some challenges during the tournament, including injuries. Brady Tkachuk was forced to leave the game against Sweden after colliding with goaltender Samuel Ersson. Furthermore, both Auston Matthews and Charlie McAvoy were scratched from the lineup. McAvoy's absence is due to an upper-body injury, potentially leading to an infection, which required hospitalization and is being monitored by Boston Bruins medical staff, according to reports. While the Bruins initially reported the injury as "upper-body," the Daily Faceoff suggests a possible infection stemming from the initial injury.

McAvoy's injury is a significant setback for Team USA, as he had been a key player. He played nearly 20 minutes in the Americans' win over Finland and a similar amount of time in the previous game against Canada. Prior to the tournament, McAvoy had also been dealing with an upper-body injury, though he did participate in a Bruins game on January 30. The 27-year-old defenseman underwent shoulder surgery in 2022.

Despite these setbacks, Team USA, coached by Mike Sullivan, secured their spot in the championship game. They are now preparing to face Canada again in the final on February 20.