Nathan MacKinnon scores twice, gets first star in Team Canada win over Finland

Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon scored twice to power Team Canada past Team Canada past Team Finland in both teams’ final round-robin game at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday afternoon at the TD Garden in Boston.

MacKinnon made it 2-0 for the Canadians at the 4:59 mark of the first period. The goal came less than a minute after Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid opened the scoring.

Here’s a look at the goal:

The Canadian squad forced a turnover in the neutral zone, allowing Sam Reinhart to hit a streaking MacKinnon with a lead pass. MacKinnon skated in all alone and beat Kevin Lankinen for his second of the tourney.

Then, MacKinnon extended his third of the 4 Nations Face-Off, extending Canada’s lead to 4-0 in the second period. Let’s take a look:

Following a dump-in, Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby picked up the puck behind the Finnish goal, feeding a perfect pass to MacKinnon who was left all alone in front of the net. MacKinnon made no mistake and gave Canada a commanding 4-0 lead.

While Finland would roar back to score three unanswered goals, a late empty-netter from Crosby iced the 5-3 win for Team Canada. With the win, the Canadian side is now set to face Team USA in the Final. The game is a rematch from last Saturday night’s matchup, one Connor Hellebuyck and the Americans won 3-1.

The winner will take home the bragging rights after winning the first best-on-best international hockey tournament since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

MacKinnon named first star of the match

When the final buzzer sounded, a relieved Team Canada stood at center ice for the post-game ceremony. Finland’s Mikael Granlund, who also scored twice, got the game’s third star. Meanwhile, Canada’s Connor McDavid got the second star.

The game’s first star was none other than Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon’s two-goal performance lifted Canada past the Finns. He also notched the game-winner as MacKinnon’s second goal of the game was the difference-make for Team Canada.

It’s worth pointing out that MacKinnon’s Avalanche teammate Artturi Lehkonen drew an assist on Esa Lindell’s third-period goal. The assist was Lehkonen’s first point of the tourney.

With the 4 Nations Face-Off final set, Monday night’s tilt between Team Sweden and Team USA will be nothing more than a formality.

Canada and the US will have a couple of days to retool and recalibrate ahead of their final game on Thursday night. Team Canada will need MacKinnon to continue showing why he’s a top-three center in the NHL.

Moreover, MacKinnon will get another chance to face his archnemesis, Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck shut down Team Canada in their first meeting at the 4 Nations Face-Off. However, MacKinnon and company will get a chance to get the last laugh on Hellebuyck and the Americans.

Regardless of whoever wins the 4 Nations Face-Off title, the game promises to be a classic for the ages.