Team USA scored three goals in the opening four minutes of the third period to blow open a close game and pin a 6-1 loss on Finland Thursday night in the clubs’ 4 Nations Face-Off opener at Bell Centre.

Oettinger will serve as a backup to Connor Hellebuyck for the United States in its opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland on Thursday night.

The U.S. is in a golden era of goaltending, with Boston’s Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck, Dallas’ Jake Oettinger and Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko at the forefront of the country thriving at hockey’s most important position.

The 31-year-old netminder was rested for the last round-robin game while Jake Oettinger took the loss versus Sweden. Hellebuyck has allowed two goals on 47 shots in the tournament, and a similar performance would likely be enough for Team USA to come away with the win.

Jeremy Swayman did not play in any of the four games for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. As the squad's No. 3 goaltender behind Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars,

The U.S. is in a golden era of goaltending, with Boston's Jeremy Swayman, Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck, Dallas' Jake Oettinger and Vancouver's Thatcher Demko at the forefront of the country thriving at hockey's most important position.

Oettinger will serve as a backup to Connor Hellebuyck for the United States in its opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland on Thursday night.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. U.S. goaltenders Connor Hellebuyck, centre, Jeremy Swayman, left, and Jake Oettinger on the ice during 4 ...

Team USA came up short in a thrilling 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada, but it wasn't the fault of Zach Werenski or Connor Hellebuyck.

The 31-year-old netminder was rested for the last round-robin game while Jake Oettinger took the loss versus Sweden. Hellebuyck has allowed two goals on 47 shots in the tournament, and a similar performance would likely be enough for Team USA to come away with the win.

As the squad's No. 3 goaltender behind Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars, he only saw duty as a backup once: in an essentially meaningless contest against Sweden after the Americans had already clinched a spot in the championship game.

Connor Hellebuyck will start for Team USA when they begin play at the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland on Thursday. The United States officially named Hellebuyck their No. 1 following Wednesday's practice -- a mammoth session that lasted well over an hour.