Team USA Falls to Sweden 2-1 in 4 Nations Face-Off

In a tightly contested match, Sweden defeated Team USA 2-1 in the final round-robin game of the 4 Nations Face-Off at TD Garden, marking the Americans' first loss of the tournament. Both teams were significantly impacted by injuries, with USA missing key players Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, and Charlie McAvoy, while Sweden also dealt with flu-related absences. The game started positively for Team USA when Chris Kreider scored just 35 seconds in, but Sweden quickly equalized and took the lead before the end of the first period. Brady Tkachuk sustained an injury after crashing into the goal post, further depleting the American lineup, which was already down to 11 forwards. Despite a strong performance from USA's goalie Jake Oettinger and a barrage of shots, including five hitting the post, the Americans could not capitalize on their opportunities. Looking ahead, both teams will prepare for a highly anticipated rematch in the championship game on Thursday, with Team USA aiming to recover its injured players.