Detroit — They all have been watching it, most in sunny, warm destinations that didn’t resemble hockey weather.
But as the Red Wings returned to practice Tuesday, the predominate topic — other than the frigid weather coming back to Detroit — was the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament that has surpassed lofty expectations.
Thursday’s championship game between USA and Canada, after Saturday’s 3-1 USA victory that thrilled hockey and non-hockey fans alike, could set hockey television ratings records and continue to grow the sport.
“It’s been great for the game,” said forward Patrick Kane, who watched the games with his family in a Cabo hotel room. “The growth, attention it has gotten, and the type of hockey, it’s been so fun to watch and keep tabs on.”
Saturday’s start between USA and Canada had three fights in the first nine seconds, only fueling the electric atmosphere in Montreal’s Bell Centre. The level of play, with many of the NHL’s best players in those two lineups, was sublime at times.
It had been nine years since the last best-against-best tournament in the sport. The 4 Nations has supplied what fans and players have been waiting for.
“It’s been a long time and you can see the buildup to that,” Kane said. “You put the games and atmosphere in Montreal, at Bell Centre, and with the Canadian fans, it’s only going to bring out the best in you as a player. Every guy is playing well. There’s no one sticking out not playing well, and everyone is taking it pretty seriously.”
There was a mild concern before the tournament began as to how seriously the four teams — USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland — would play. That concern was erased quickly in the first game between Canada and Sweden last week.
“It’s been good for the sport,” goaltender Alex Lyon said. “Everybody wants more eyeballs and attention. All four teams have been impressive. For sure the rivalry (between USA and Canada) — given with the things happening off the ice too — probably escalated things a little bit, which is good for the sport.”
Coach Todd McLellan hasn’t been able to watch as much of the tournament as he would have liked. McLellan used the time off to fully move with his wife from Los Angeles into their new home in Detroit and has had cable and internet installation issues to go along with it.
But McLellan isn’t surprised by the tournament’s success.
“I’m a big believer in the league,” McLellan said. “The word ‘help’ is not one that our league needs. It’s a real good, entertaining sport. It enhances what we’re already doing, the emotion and drive.
“I was asked by so many people, ‘What will these games be like? Are they going to play hard or is it going to be an All-Star Game?’
“They clearly answered that. It just enhanced what we already do as a real good entertainment product.”
The two Wings competing in the tournament, forwards Dylan Larkin (USA) and Lucas Raymond (Sweden), both have had impressive tournaments. Larkin had a goal and assist in Saturday’s victory over Canada and has seen his role increase steadily throughout the tournament. Raymond had three assists in Sweden’s three games.
“For both of them, it’s been an incredible experience that isn’t over yet for Larks,” McLellan said. “It’s one thing to go and be on the team. It’s another to go and be on the team and be a factor. Both of them were factors for their teams, so that’s a real good sign.
“It gives them experience that they wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. When an organization hasn’t been in the playoffs a number of years, a lot of players don’t have playoff experience. It might be with other teams and we have guys with Stanley Cups in here, but as a group we haven’t experienced it yet and it is different when you do get there.
“This opportunity cannot hurt either of them.”
Returning to work
McLellan wants to use these four days before the Wings host Minnesota this Saturday as a mini training camp, with an emphasis on installing more schemes and a heavy dose of conditioning. Tuesday’s practice was a copy of that plan, with an eager group of players.
“They’re excited about being back here,” McLellan said. “They are not video or meeting fatigued anymore because they haven’t had it for eight days. We were able to spend time showing them video from our time here rather than Los Angeles Kings clips (McLellan’s previous team) to show our point. We can show them Red Wings clips now, which is a positive.”
Knocking some rust off was important, said McLellan, while also being mindful of injuring groins after so much time away from the ice.
“We got better conditioned and got our legs going, but we did it with a purpose, a game purpose,” McLellan said.
There was a palpable excitement about being back. And with only 27 games left in the season and the Wings holding a playoff spot, there is plenty to play for.
“It was nice to get away,” Kane said. “You know in the back of your mind you have 27 games left and they’re huge games to get into the playoffs, so you try to leave all that here and enjoy the time away.”
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