Team Canada Makes Lineup Changes After Too-Close-For-Comfort Game Against Sweden

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Daniel Lucente
February 14, 2025  (12:36)

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Photo credit: Edit from The New York Times

The Team Canada game against Sweden was a nail-biter, and the team has decided to insert Sam Bennett into the lineup to help with their next game vs the USA.

Fresh off their thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over Sweden Wednesday night, Team Canada is making a strategic lineup adjustment in anticipation of their highly anticipated showdown with the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off this Saturday.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett was inserted into the Canadian lineup at practice Friday, taking the place of Travis Konecny. Bennett was placed as the center on a line with Brad Marchand and Seth Jarvis, a sign of a tweak in Canada's strategy.

Also, Team Canada made another change by moving Anthony Cirelli to the wing on a line with Brayden Point at center and Brandon Hagel, an all-Tampa Bay Lightning line.

These changes suggest Canada is seeking a mix of speed, grit, and offensive variety in attacking a high-scoring American squad. Konecny, who played 10:20 against Sweden, finished with a minus-2 rating and three hits.

Bennett, on the other hand, will bring an extra dimension to Canada's bottom six, bringing physicality and grit to counter a U.S. team that erupted for five third-period goals in a 6-1 rout of Finland on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Bennett has been a force for the Panthers this season, recording 18 goals, 17 assists, and 62 penalty minutes in 55 games. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday in Montreal.

The U.S. can clinch a spot in the finals with a regulation win over Canada tomorrow night.

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FÉVRIER 14   |   429 ANSWERS Team Canada Makes Lineup Changes After Too-Close-For-Comfort Game Against Sweden Will Sam Bennett help Canada beat the USA?
Yes	252	58.7 %
No	177	41.3 %
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