Why Charlie McAvoy Won’t Play In USA-Sweden 4 Nations Game

BOSTON — As 4 Nations Face-Off shifted to TD Garden for the remainder of the tournament, Team USA had the opportunity to rest players since they were the only squad that entered Monday with a championship game spot already clinched.

Head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk will be healthy scratches when Team USA takes on Sweden in the final game of the preliminary round, per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider will sub in for Tkachuk and make his 4 Nations debut, while Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson will slot in for McAvoy on the blue line.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel led all skaters with three goals in the first two games, followed by Matthew and Brady Tkachuk with two each.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will also get the night off after winning the first two games for Team USA. Dallas Stars netminder Jake Oettinger will get the nod with the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman backing up. Hellebuyck leads all goalies in the tournament with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage.

With the changes to the lineup, all 23 USA players will participate in the tournament.