Cale Makar returned to Canada’s lineup at the 4 Nations Face-Off for a must-win game against Finland on Monday afternoon after sitting out Saturday’s loss to the U.S. with what the team called an illness.
The former Norris Trophy winner is Canada’s top defenseman at the event and brings better balance to the pairings while skating alongside Colorado Avalanche teammate Devon Toews. Makar played a game-high 28 minutes, 6 seconds, during a 4-3 overtime win over Sweden on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old skated before Saturday’s game against the Americans but wasn’t feeling well enough to dress in the 3-1 loss, later calling it “probably one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make.”
“I’ve got to do what’s, unfortunately, best for myself and make sure that I’m ready to go for the rest of the season,” Makar told reporters on Sunday. “It’s a really hard decision, but it’s definitely one that obviously everybody’s looking forward to for the entire season. That was a hard one, but I’ve got to make sure I get it right.”
With Makar back on Monday, Thomas Harley came out of the lineup. He joined the Canadian team as an injury standby. The only other change for Canada will see winger Travis Konecny draw back in for Seth Jarvis.
Canada needs a regulation win over Finland to guarantee a meeting with the U.S. in Thursday’s 4 Nations final.
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(Photo of Cale Makar: Minas Panagiotakis/ Getty Images)
