After weeks of “no news is good news” regarding the 4 Nations Face-Off rosters, the dominoes (and players) have unfortunately started to fall. Goaltender

If it were up to some Maple Leafs fans, Auston Matthews would also be opting out of the 4 Nations Face-Off, writes Michael Traikos.

Update: Alex Pietrangelo will be withdrawing from the 2025 4Nations Face-Off to tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season with Vegas. #VegasBorn With two Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal under his belt, Pietrangelo, 35, was one of Canada's most seasoned veterans.

Pietrangelo is the first player to withdraw from the tournament, which also features the United States, Sweden and Finland. Sweden is expected to make some lineup changes, though, with goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark, and forward William Karlsson, all currently injured.

Auston Matthews will serve as captain for the United States in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, and his team is the only one involved without a glaring injury question to answer.

The 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament is less than two weeks away. The Vegas Golden Knights initially had seven players named to the rosters—Adin Hill, Alex

The risk-reward part of it for the best NHL players is obvious. You get to represent your country, wear its sweater and compete for a title. You are also vulnerable, like with any game, to injury. But players who have committed to the 4 Nations Face-Off in February appear more than excited to compete,

Crosby has plenty of international experience for Canada while Leafs star Matthews is the Americans’ biggest threat for the best-on-best tournament.

• Ville Koivunen and Vasily Ponomarev, two of the prospects acquired in the Penguins’ Jake Guentzel trade last season, each turned hat tricks. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had never had two players score hat tricks in the same game.

Not only did Crosby play in Utah — he also scored two points, including the overtime winner. His totals are now up to two goals and three points in two games against the NHL’s newest franchise. Crosby didn’t get the chance to see much of the city, but he liked the arena.

As speculation rises over which players may decide to sit out the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews will be suiting up for Team