Bennett Expected to Play for Canada vs. United States

Canada appears to be making a tactical change ahead of their Saturday night matchup against the United States. 

There’s sure to be some bite when the two North American rivals meet for the first time in a best-on-best format since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey — where Canada won 4-2.

In anticipation of a heavy game, it looks like forward Sam Bennett will draw into the lineup for the Canadians after being a healthy scratch in Canada’s 4-3 overtime win over Sweden on Wednesday night. 

Bennett was slotted alongside Seth Jarvis and Brad Marchand — who he is well acquainted with after the past two Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins playoff series — during Canada’s Friday practice. Travis Konecny, who played just 10:20 in Canada’s first game, was the odd-forward out.

“We both like to play a physical, intense game’,” Bennett spoke about being on a line with Marchand. “I’m sure we’re going to be bringing it tomorrow night. [I’m] excited to get to play with him finally.”

In his 4 Nations debut, Bennett will face off  against his usual Panthers linemate and close friend, team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk. 

Don’t expect either player to ease up if they match up against each other. 

“We’re great friends but [we’re also] both such hard competitors,” Bennett told me last week when asked about playing against Tkachuk at the 4 Nations.  I think we can go at it pretty good on the ice and it’s not going to affect our friendship”

“I don’t expect him to go easy on me and I’m definitely not going to go easy on him.It’s going to be fun.

This will be just the second game of the tournament for both teams, but there’s championship implications already at stake. 

After picking up three points in a 6-1 win over Finland on Thursday, the Americans can punch their ticket to the final in Boston with a regulation win over the Canadians. 

Canada failed to get three points against the Swedes as their victory came in overtime, so they can’t clinch a spot in the championship yet regardless of what happens against the Americans.

Puck drop will be 8 P.M. ET on Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.