4 Nations Face-Off Live Blog: Finland vs. Sweden

MONTREAL -- Welcome to the 4 Nations Face-Off live blog. There is a doubleheader at Bell Centre today, with Finland defeating Sweden 4-3 in overtime in the day game and the United States playing Canada at 8 p.m. ET. NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price is high atop the arena to provide all the sights, sounds and highlight from both games.

3:53 p.m. ET

That's it for game one here in Montreal. NHL.com blogger Mikael Granlund wins it for Finland at 1:49 of overtime.

What that all means is this:

Finland, with the win, will have a chance to reach the final game when it plays Canada on Monday.

And no matter what happens tonight, Sweden will head into its game against the U.S. in Boston on Monday night with a chance to make the final.

What a tournament this is shaping up to be.

3:47 p.m. ET

And we are going to overtime here after an extremly entertaining 60 minutes of hockey.

So each team will get at least a point, meaning Sweden cannot be eliminated from the final game today. Finland can still get knocked out if it loses in OT and Canada defeats the U.S. tonight.

3:43 p.m. ET

Things are getting a tad testy here. First Patrik Laine and Joel Eriksson Ek had words near the boards with Laine giving him a nice slash to the back of the leg.

A few minutes later, Mikko Rantanen hit Gustav Forsling nearly into the Finland bench.

THe Finland fans are feeling it now, but we're still tied with 2:19 left.

3:40 p.m. ET

Finland just had a chance to take the lead but didn't.

The puck took a weird bounce off the stick of Erik Karlsson and went right to Finland forward Roope Hintz in front of the net, but he missed high over Ullmark's blocker.

Finland is actually pushing the pace with about 4 minutes left, putting some heat on Ullmark. Can they cash in?

3:34 p.m. ET

The clock is down to 5:49 and it's 3-3.

You really wonder if either team is going to take a chance to try to score here or just play it out and get to OT and get at least one point.

The crowd here continues to let William Nylander hear it every time he touches the puck. I can't imagine what it's going to be like for Auston Matthews tonight. He's on the Maple Leafs and he's an American. Not a good combo for the fans in Montreal.

3:30 p.m. ET

There is 8:48 left in regulation and it's still 3-3. I think both teams are playing cautious here not wanting to lose in regulation.

The DJ just played Taylor Swift's "You Belong To Me." It's so nice to see her get some much-needed publicity.

They just showed P.K. Subban on the big board and he got a huge cheer. Then the camera man panned out and showed Mark Messier with him and it got a bigger chant.

For some reason, the video board and arena host is telling people how to clap. I mean, really?

Back to Taylor, I wonder how that would go over tonight. Would the Canada fans actually boo Taylor?

I'd say yes.

3:25 p.m. ET

The Finns kill off the Barkov penalty and then almost score with Barkov taking a pass while coming out of the box and breaking in alone on Linus Ullmark, who made a big glove save on a backhand attempt.

It's getting down to brass tacks now with the game tied and under 10 minutes to go. It feels like overtime already.

3:18 p.m. ET

We are a little more than six minuntes into the third period and both teams are taking a more cautious approach, maybe each eyeing getting at least one point if we go to OT.

Mikael Granlund, our NHL.com blogger, nealry put Finland on top, but missed the net.

Now Sweden is going to the power play with Aleksander Barkov going off for a minor.

We just saw on Twitter that 49ers tight end George Kittle is here cheering for Sweden and his buddy Filip Forsberg. Nice job by Stephen Whyno of the AP to find him.

I guess Kittle must have been getting bored because he's been sitting home since early January (that's my L.A. Rams bitterness coming out).

They just showed former Canadiens player and Swede Mats Naslund on the big board, and that brought a big cheer from the crowd.

Now, they just did an air guitar cam and started with "Eruption" by Van Halen and then switched to "Dueling Banjos." Hmm, that's a choice.

Through two games and two periods, here is how the hot dog count stands: it's a two-writer race between Shawn Roarke (7) and Tom Gulitti (5).

Roarke wanted to put an asterisk on his two dogs today claiming, "I didn't have lunch." I think Gulitti can still catch him since Shawn is hoping on a plane pretty much right after U.S.-Canada and no one really wants to be on a plane with 3-4 hot dogs in their belly.

3:12 p.m. ET

The third period has started and there is a lot at stake in the next 20 minutes.

If Finland loses in regulation, it has no chance of reaching the 4 Nations Final game on Thursday. If it loses in OT or the shootout, it would be out if Canada defeats the U.S. tonight in regulation.

Sweden would be out if it loses in regulation and the U.S. beats Canada in any fashion.

There will be a quiz on this later.

2:54 p.m. ET

We now have two periods complete and it's 3-3 between the Finns and Swedes in what is turning into a classic.

One thing to watch here: Finnish captain Aleksander Barkov, who scored the game-tying goal, appeared to be limping as the teams went back to the rooms for the second intermission. It looked like he blocked a shot off his skate near the end of the period.

You have to believe there is no way he's missing the rest of the game even if his leg fell off.

OK, the big hot dog/mayo watch is on. Stay tuned.

2:48 p.m. ET

And the Finns have tied it on a gorgeous goal from Aleksander Barkov, who knocks in a pass from Olli Maatta on the doorstep. It looked at first like Kaapo Kakko had scored, as he was right there with Barkov, but the Panthers captain got a piece of it.

This is turning into the classic we thought it would be.

Tracey Myers just uncovered a huge nugget of news.

Apparently the chorus of Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier" was inspired by the "Banana Splits" theme song. So if Sweden scores again, listen on TV and you will hear it.

THe NHL.com crew had a rough start to the day. A few of us literally waited outside a store in the arena to be the first ones to get T-shirts with the 4 Nations Logo on it -- but in French. It's called the Confrontation Des 4 Nations. However, none of those shirts was available.

2:36 p.m. ET

And now the Swedes take the lead.

Erik Karlsson, who called the opening minutes of Sweden's loss to Canada a "real nutkicker" beats Lankinen over the glove on the short side at 10:32 after taking a gorgeous pass from everyone's favorite Swede William Nylander.

If the Finns ever need some Children of Bodom, the time is now.

2:33 p.m. ET

We are midway through the second period and the Finns and Swedes are still tied 2-2.

The game is settling in a bit and it certainly appears the decision to replace Filip Gustavsson with Linus Ullmark was the right one. He had steadied the Swedish ship.

We just heard "Take On Me" by A-ha. I had to check and they are from Norway. Now I have to dig to see if there are any popular acts from Finland.

There is Children of Bodom, a death metal act from Finland. Shawn Roarke, our resident death metal head, tells me Bodom is the Finnish version of Crystal Lake from "Friday the 13th."

Of course, Shawn has seen them live.

Maybe the DJ can play "Are You Dead Yet" or "Everytime I Die" to get the crowd going.

And Hanoi Rocks is from Finland -- if you watch "Peacemaker" you will know about all them.

Hearing "Take On Me" gives me some hope we might hear some Volbeat.

2:23 p.m. ET

We are tied again with Rasmus Dahlin knocking one home from the doorstep.

I don't want to say I'm rooting for Sweden to keep scoring, but their goal song is some rendition of "The Banana Splits" theme song, so how can you argue with that?

As we said, Linus Ullmark is now in goal for the Swedes, and he's been tested already, making a point-blank save on Lehkonen to keep it a 2-1 game a minute or so before Dahliln's goal.

If Nick Cotsonika ever decides on a new career, maybe marketing is for him.

After the DJ played Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO!" Nick said that song makes him think of pizza.

2:13 p.m.

The second period has begun and Linus Ullmark is in goal for Sweden, replacing Filip Gustavsson.

It was an all-out ABBA dance party here in the first intermission, with a medley of "Take A Chance on Me," "Dancing Queen," "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" and "Voulez-Vous."

If Finland keeps up the way its playing, the DJ may have to play "S.O.S."

I may have missed an ABBA song because I went to the media cafe where I saw someone else putting mayonaise on a hot dog. Dave Stubbs didn't believe it when I told him, so we have to go back in the second intermission to see it possibly happen again.

Something to watch for here -- the two Finland goals came on pretty much the exact same play: a cross-ice pass to the right face-off dot for a one-time, first Lundell and then Rantanen.

Rantanen actually whiffed on his shot, and that threw Gustavsson off a bit.

But maybe, must maybe, the Finns noticed somehting about Gustavsson.

1:58 p.m. ET

It was quite an eventful few minutes for Mikko Rantanen, who just scored with 13.9 seconds left in the first to give Finland a 2-1 lead.

The goal came about 40 seconds after he drilled Elias Pettersson against the boards, and just 12 seconds after Victor Hedman went off for a penalty.

The first of the two first intermissions today means the hot dog frenzy has officially begun. I'm sure any media member working to change their travel plans will make the grilled beefy dogs the priority for the next 17 minutes.

Stay tuned for any updates to the counter.

1:48 p.m. ET

Sweden kills off the Ekholm penalty and we are back to even strength.

Give the Finns credit. Despite playing with their 7th, 8th and 9th defensemen because of injuries, they are hangingn with Sweden, and really, except for a 3-minute span against the U.S. when they allowed 3 goals, they hung tough in that one, too.

Update: The fan who got the stick from the netting is back in his seat. I'm thinking he worked out some deal with Sweden in exchange for the stick.

Anoter update: They are still booing William Nylander each time he touches the puck.

I know no one cares about the media's issues, but a lot of the writers covering this tournament are scrambling to not only cover both games but figure out a way to get to Boston for practices tomorrow.

The issue: Another monster snow storm is expected to hit Montreal at some point tonight. I'm sure all four teams are heading to Boston tonight, but the media folks are trying to change their arrangements.

1:40 p.m. ET

And the Finns come right back, scoring at 10:58.

Anton Lundell takes a feed from Florida Panthers teammate Eetu Luostarinen and slips a one-timer through the pads of Filip Gustavsson and it's 1-1 and this crowd, which had been a little sleepy with the 1 p.m. start on a Saturday is waking up.

And now Finland is going to the power play with Mattias Ekholm going off for holding at 12:09

1:36 p.m. ET

Sweden is on the board.

Mika Zibanejad makes it a 1-0 game at 8:35 with a shot from the slot that snuck through Kevin Lankinen's pads.

We think Zibanejad is the one who lost his stick in the netting, so mabye he now has a lucky stick.

This is the first time Sweden has led in the 4 Nations -- it trailed 2-0 and 3-1 vs. Canada before falling 4-3 in OT.

1:34 p.m. ET

Some lucky fan might be going home with a stick. Or might just be going home.

During a scrum behind the Finland net, one of the Swedish players had their stick lifted and it went flying into the netting. During a stoppage, a fan in a Canada jersey climbed up and got it, much to the delight to the crowd.

A few minutes later, two security people came and talked to him and I guess his son and they walked out.

We'll see if they come back. Maybe they are working out a trade.

1:27 p.m. ET

Like it did against the U.S., Finland is staying right with Sweden. It even killed off the first penalty of the game, a hooking call against Niko Mikkola at 17:14.

Sweden's best chance to score on the PP came when Lucas Raymond fed William Nylander a pass to the right of Kevin Lankinen. Before the fans could even start booing, Nylander whistled one wide of the net.

I'm really hoping to here some Swedish and Finnish music today -- maybe some Amon Amarth or Ghost or even ABBA (which is all we heard Wednesday).

1:20 p.m. ET

And the puck has been dropped, starting what looks to be an epic day of international hockey.

Of course, William Nylander of Sweden and the Toronto Maple Leafs got booed. The fans are warming up for tonight.

It's starting to sound like a pro-Finland crowd here, with Artturi Lehkonen, a former Canadiens forward, getting the biggest cheer.

The hot dog race is still where it was the other day because Shawn Roarke has not arrived at the arena yet, he was out in Brossard for Canada's practice, so I'm sure once he arrives he may start expanding his one-dog lead over Tom Guiltti.

Dave Stubbs is also here, so though I didn't plan on having a hot dog today, I'm now going to smother one with ketchup and eat it right in front of him.

As I told him, if ketchup was such a no-no, why are there bottles and bottles of it near the area where the hot dogs are served.

1:05 p.m. ET

Here are you starting lineups and scratches for Finland, which needs at least a point in this game to keep its hopes alive of reaching the 4 Nats Final Thursday in Boston:

For Finland:

Barkov, Lehkonen, Rantanen at forward
Mikkola and Lindell on D
Lankinen in goal

Scratched: Valimaki, Armia and Luukkonen

Also, Kaapo Kakko draws into the lineup for Armia and Lankinen starts over Saros.

And for Sweden:

Nylander, Zibanejad, Rakell at forward
Hedman and Brodin on D
Gustavsson in goal

And the same lineup as Game 1, with Leo Carlsson (F), Rasmus Andersson (D) and Samuel Ersson (G) scratched.

12:48 p.m. ET

The Finns and the Swedes are on the ice and we are about 30 minutes away from the start of this historic doubleheader.

The crowd is starting to file in and it appears to be a good mix of Finland and Sweden jerseys.

There is plenty at stake today and this game could impact if the US or Sweden make the 4 Nations Final.

Here are the clinching scenarios for today.

I know for a fact the crack team at NHL stats worked hours and hours to figure this out.

Here goes:

The United States will clinch a berth in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final:

* If it defeats Canada in regulation

OR

* If it defeats Canada in overtime or shootout AND Sweden loses to Finland in regulation

* * *

Canada will clinch a berth in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final:

* If it defeats the United States in regulation AND Finland loses to Sweden in any fashion

12:15 p.m. ET

We are about an hour away from the start of what is expected to be an epic day in Montreal. You could feel the buzz in the city this morning and that feeling only grew when you get closer to the arena.

The gates opened at 11:30, but fans were lined up at least an hour before that to get in. Once the doors opened, fans flew into the arena as if were Walmart on Black Friday.

And why not? Two of the greatest international hockey rivalries will be center stage today with the Swedes and Finns meeting up before the U.S.-Canada grudge match is played in prime time.

The big news for Canada is that top defensemen Cale Makar was on the ice out in Brossard, Quebec, this morning after his missed practice yesterday with an illness.

Remember, Canada is already down a defensemen with Shea Theodore out for the tournament, so a healthy Makar is huge.

As for the Finns and Swedes, it appears Kaapo Kakko will slot into the Finland lineup in place of Joel Armia, I’m sure that will make the Montreal Canadien fans in attendance very happy.

The teams are about to hit the ice for warmups. I’ll check back in a bit with any more news and the clinching scenarios for today.

Standings entering play Saturday, Feb. 15