The tournament itself exceeded expectations and on Thursday, Canada was awarded the first ever gold medal for winning the 4 Nations Face-Off with a 3-2 victory over their rival Americans. The hockey was top notch with some of the best players from the game stepping onto the same ice surface with more to play for than the NHL’s regular all-star festivities.
While it was our first opportunity to see some best-on-best hockey since the NHL’s World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the games lived up to the hype with skill, physicality and overall drama right up until the final whistle.
On teams filled with so much talent, it’s tough to always stand out each and every game, that said, for Toronto Maple Leafs’ forward Mitch Marner, he had an opportunity to play alongside some of the country’s top talents and learn from them in a do-or-die situation — a lesson that could be valuable to the star forward down the road.
Playing Second Fiddle A Learning Opportunity for Marner
While Canada’s top line of Sidney Crosby, Sam Reinhart and Nathan MacKinnon were on another stratosphere, Marner got an opportunity to play with another player considered to be at top echelon of hockey talent in Connor McDavid on the team’s second line.
That alone was a good opportunity for Marner — who should still be considered one of Canada’s top players — considering his role on the team. But playing with McDavid comes with another level. It’s a different pace and it involves stepping into a role away from the puck with McDavid’s possession numbers.
For Marner, he seemed quiet at times surrounded by some of the other players on Canada. However, given how short-lived the tournament was, it’s hard to say that he wasn’t a force for Canada. It started with a big goal — the overtime winner against Sweden in their opening game. But it was the championship game where Marner seemed to really come alive — notching two primary assists, including the set-up on McDavid’s overtime tally.
It certainly wasn’t the first-line opportunities that he’s used to in Toronto, but Marner thrived as a second-line player on a strong Canadian team. What’s more is that he got a chance to play with players who’ve thrived in big-moment games.
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Crosby has scored big goals in big games. MacKinnon has helped carry the Colorado Avalanche to their most recent Cup and Reinhart helped the Florida Panthers on their most recent runs. But what does that mean for Marner?
Marner’s Lesson Comes in Big-Game Moments
One of the biggest criticisms of Marner over his career with the Maple Leafs has been his lack of production in big games and getting the team to the next level. Only once during his tenure with the team have they made it past the first-round and every offseason the questions swirl around which member of the team will be moved — Marner’s name being one of the hottest topics.
While it may be unfair to call out the 27-year-old for the team’s lack of progression at times considering he’s averaging just under a point per game in the playoffs through 50 games, the Maple Leafs go as far as Marner, Auston Matthews and William Nylander take them.
Now, for the first time since debuting in the NHL, Marner had the opportunity to play on the big stage with Canada. While the overtime winner and the two primary assists were good to see for fans of the Maple Leafs, the biggest learning experience for Marner may have come in the way that others around him prepared for the big games in this tournament.
For Marner, he was surrounded by perennial contenders in the Canadian room. He was surrounded by winners. One of the more noteworthy preparations might’ve come after Canada’s first game against Sweden when mere hours after the win Crosby and MacKinnon were back on the ice working on one-timers. So, what — if anything — did Marner take away from them?
Whatever it was, hopefully he brings that back to the Maple Leafs room with him. The preparedness, the focus and the lay-it-on-the-line attitude is something that has been missing at times over the past nine seasons. That said, if his performance in the final was any indication of what he might bring to future big-time games, Leafs Nation should be excited.
Marner’s Takeaway From the 4 Nations Face-Off
Outside of how special it was to celebrate the big win, Marner had another big takeaway from his time at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
“We were just talking about the tournament, how much fun it was, but how taxing it was also on the body… Talked about looking forward to getting back here and trying to take on bigger things now,” said Marner about his flight back to Toronto with Matthews.
Much like playing in the playoffs, noting that it was taxing on his body is important. Matthews played through a small tweak in the final, while Marner played against some tough physical opponents in the U.S. squad. But, that’s what playoff hockey is all about. That’s what it’s like to play in the big moments throughout your career.
As for the last part of that quote and trying to “take on bigger things,” it’s what Maple Leafs fans want to hear. Maybe it’s Marner simply saying the right things on his road back after a big win. Or, just maybe, it’s a big-time player finally understanding how important his role is to the team he’s representing. Maybe, from the winners he was around, Marner finally saw what it takes to win it all.