Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon and Team Canada will hit the ice on Wednesday night against Team Sweden in the opening match of the 4 Nations Face-Off at the Bell Centre. MacKinnon is expected to anchor Canada’s second line in what is widely considered one of the deepest Canadian sides ever.
While MacKinnon is a top-line center in his own right, the depth in the Canadian squad places him on the second line behind all-world center Connor McDavid. Of course, having a one-two center depth chart of McDavid and MacKinnon is something fans and coaches can only dream about.
Nevertheless, the toughest choice Team Canada coach Jon Cooper has faced is determining which linemates would work best for each of the team’s top two centers. The top unit looks incredible with Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers and Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs on McDavid’s wings.
MacKinnon will have two unbelievable linemates in Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone. So, let’s take a look at who Nathan MacKinnon’s linemates are as Team Canada is set to hit the ice in one of the most anticipated best-on-best tournaments in a long while.
Nathan MacKinnon’s Team Canada linemates at 4 Nations Face-Off
Sidney Crosby
Crosby needs no introduction. The three-time Stanley Cup is a surefire Hall of Famer. He was the hero of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, scoring the overtime winner against the United States in the gold medal game.
Fast forward more than a decade later, and Crosby is now 37. He’s still a highly effective player, but we could argue his best days are behind him. Instead of centering his own line, Crosby moves to left wing to flank fellow Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native Nathan MacKinnon.
Crosby makes sense in this second-line role as he is still an elite playmaker, but can sniff out opportunities to score. He can drive to the net and make plays happen without seemingly getting held back by opposing defenders.
Plus, Crosby is a high-end defensive forward. He doesn’t often get as much credit for his defensive game, but Crosby can shut down the opposition’s best forward. All told, Sidney Crosby is an excellent choice as a second-line winger for Canada.
Mark Stone
Stone is a gritty, hardworking winger who can find the net. He’s got a goalscorer’s touch while being unafraid to mix it up physically. His rough-and-tumble style is a good balance on Team Canada’s second line as the finesse, speed, skill, and playmaking abilities of MacKinnon demand someone who can drive to the net and be ready to score.
Stone is also a veteran player who can lead, adding another intangible dimension to Team Canada’s chemistry. Stone’s determination and commitment on the ice have been a difference-maker throughout his career, as he’s captained the Vegas Golden Knights and the Ottawa Senators.
Overall, Mark Stone provides a counterbalance to Canada’s second line. He’s the sandpaper that the team needs to ensure it can score goals while making sure the opposition doesn’t try to outmuscle the group.
With the focus on McDavid and the top line, MacKinnon and company could have a whale of a tournament. Don’t be surprised to see MacKinnon run amok as opponents try to figure out what to do with the two-headed Hydra monster that is McDavid-MacKinnon.