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 ...

The New York Islanders return to action from the 4 Nations Face-Off with a Sunday, Feb. 23 game against the Dallas Stars. It’s not an ideal matchup for a team that must make up ground in the Eastern Conference,

U.S. goaltenders from L-R Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman, on the ice during 4 Nations Face-Off hockey practice in Brossard, Que., on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025.(Christinne Muschi / AP) MONTREAL — Canada and Sweden traded chances back and ...

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.

Still, Sweden can earn a berth in the finals with a regulation win over the United States, and the contest between Canada and Finland goes into overtime or a shootout.

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.

Backstopping the U.S. to statement wins in the 4 Nations Face-Off is just the latest piece of the argument. What do the other all-time greats say?

Hellebuyck is one of the biggest reasons the U.S. is favored by some to win the 4 Nations Face-Off. In fact, of the four countries -- Canada, Finland, Sweden and the U.S. -- the United States seemingly has the best and deepest three-man goalie depth chart.

The depth is so strong with Connor Hellebuyck at the top and Jake Oettinger also in the tournament that Swayman might not even dress and an elite goaltender like Thatcher Demko didn’t make the cut.

The depth is so strong with Connor Hellebuyck at the top and Jake Oettinger also in the tournament that Swayman might not even dress and an elite goaltender like Thatcher Demko didn't make the cut.