The 4 Nations Face-Off is already living up to the hype after 1 game
This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Charles Curtis.
There was a moment in the first period of the opening 4 Nations Face-Off game between Canada and Sweden that I thought it was going to be too easy for the team north of us.
That would be 55 seconds in. Nathan MacKinnon scored a seemingly easy power play goal with assists from Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. That’s right, we’re talking about three all-world players on an unstoppable power play.
And yet … a balanced Swedish team with a very underrated defense came back in the third period and took Canada to overtime before Mitch Marner won it for the Canadians.
What. A. Game.
No offense to Jordan Binnington, but the concerns about Canada’s goaltending were valid. There’s no guarantee they’ll run away with this tournament, which means we’re in for some thrilling hockey.
MORE: The 4 Nations Face-Off jerseys, ranked
Thank goodness for that. My main concern was a snoozer of a tournament in which Canada would score like eight times every game. Now? It looks like it’ll be closer. And that’s good for the game and good for this first-year, much-hyped tournament.
No All-Star game? Fine by us if this is the result.
Uh, the Red Sox are really interesting with Alex Bregman
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 10: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins during Game Three of the Division Series at Target Field on October 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Look, Alex Bregman might be past his prime after a fine year with the Houston Astros. But signing with the Boston Red Sox ends what’s been a pretty darn good offseason in Massachusetts.
Garrett Crochet is the ace they needed. Walker Buehler was a solid addition too. Liam Hendriks still has closer stuff. Aroldis Chapman will obviously help in the bullpen. Bregman can be a consistent bat in an underrated lineup.
The Yankees are stacked, of course, but I could see the Red Sox competing for a Wild Card spot with this roster. Impressive.
Today in “God, I’m old”: LeGarrette Blount JUNIOR got an offer from Bill Belichick
Remember LeGarrette Blount running over guys in the NFL for Bill Belichick? Well, his SON is getting a scholarship offer from Belichick at UNC:
Blessed to receive my 2nd D1 offer from North Carolina!! #AGTG @LG_Blount pic.twitter.com/u2xrV02DGZ
— Legarrette Blount Jr (@LG_Blount_Jr) February 12, 2025
God, I’m old.
Quick hits: An amazing Kendrick Lamar stat … Remember Duck Hodges? … SNL rankings! … and more.
— Kendrick Lamar out-gained the Chiefs in ground yardage in the Super Bowl. LOL!
— Lainey Wilson is engaged to Duck Hodges, the former Steelers QB. Remember him?
— The big SNL 50 show is coming up, so Cory Woodroof ranked the best cast members of all time and the best Digital Shorts.
— Spring training is here, so Blake Schuster gave you some fantasy baseball breakout candidates.