On 12 February, the NHL took a short break to allow its players to represent their countries in an international ice hockey tournament. The catch, however, is that only four countries would compete in the aptly named 4 Nations Face-Off. Canada, Sweden, Finland, and the United States partook in the seven-game showcase.
Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (center) moves between Fabian Zetterlund (20) and Nikita Okhotiuk (83) – Photo by Jack Lima
Funnily enough, that left out the NHL’s four most in-form players heading into the break. The league returned on 22 February, two days after the 4 Nations Final, and now, arguably the best players of Czechia, Germany, and Russia will be let back out of the traps to carry on where they left off over the last phase of the regular season.
Red Hot Skaters Getting Some Rest Before the Stretch
Over the month of games heading towards the 4 Nations Face-Off, three skaters having played 13 to 15 games stood out as the most in-form skaters in the NHL. Top of the pile was the Czech and Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak. As THW reported, it was a shame that he didn’t go to the tournament, given his incredible form.
In just 13 games before the break, Pastrnak put up 11 goals and 26 points in 13 games, which includes a game-winning goal for the Bruins. By comparison, the league leader for points, Nathan MacKinnon, scored six goals and 19 points in 14 games over this same window. Pastrnak has now climbed to eighth on the point’s column.
The other two entrants to this trio have been hot on MacKinnon’s heels all season. First is Nikita Kucherov. The Russian winger of the Tampa Bay Lightning scored eight goals and 24 points in 15 games, two of which were game-winners. Then, it’s a certain German forward who stepped up when his superstar teammate missed a few games.
Leon Draisaitl played 14 games in the month leading to the 4 Nations. In that time, Draisaitl scored nine goals and 22 points, securing his spot firmly atop the goal’s column. His star teammate who did go to the 4 Nations, Connor McDavid, had collected six goals and 13 points over the 11 games he featured in during this window.
A Boost Down the Stretch
Arguments can be levelled for both it being good for hot players to keep momentum going on the ice and for them to have a timely break, but for those three in particular, the break will be welcomed by the teams and fans. In that window, Kucherov and Draisaitl were averaging 23:17 and 23:01 minutes per game, which is huge for forwards.
For the Oilers, in particular, the 4 Nations break has been welcomed. They’ve just come off of losing in the Finals and only saw three players go to the mid-season tournament. Four of their top-five scorers got some rest, only helping to enforce Edmonton as the favourites for the Stanley Cup in the NHL betting this season.
Top of the Pacific Division and fourth in the overall standings, the Oilers saw McDavid, Mattias Ekholm, and Viktor Arvidsson compete for Canada and Sweden. Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Zach Hyman will be refreshed for the stretch. Kucherov’s Bolts saw five players go while they battle for an Atlantic Division spot.
For the Boston Bruins, four players went to the 4 Nation. Seeing Jeremy Swayman, Charlie McAvoy, Elias Lindholm, and Brad Marchand go does mean that most of their best 
players won’t be getting a rest. Given their precarious place just outside the Wild Card zone, the Bruins will at least hope those players come back hot.
While it was a shame to not see the likes of Pastrnak, Kucherov, and Draisaitl at the 4 Nations tournament, with their teams eyeing up the Stanley Cup, fans will be quietly grateful for the added rest they’ve gained.
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