Team Finland preview: Elite speed may not be enough to overcome defensive shortcomings

Team Finland is widely considered the weakest of the four entrants in the 4 Nations Face-Off, but count them out at your own peril. Finland boasts some elite speed and power up front, while Juuse Saros could catch fire and steal a few games.

Aleksander Barkov is the reigning Selke Trophy winner and he can score against the world’s best competition, while being able to man-mark Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, Elias Pettersson and any other top-line centre. Barkov will likely be paired with Artturi Lehkonen and Mikko Rantanen on Finland’s first line, where they can score and run over opposing defenders, while Roope Hintz, Sebastian Aho and Patrik Laine is a unique combination of elite speed, playmaking and scoring ability.

Don’t sleep on Finland’s depth, either. Eetu Luostarainen and Anton Lundell are key components of the Florida Panthers, and Finland’s role players are probably best suited to their roles, while there may be an adjustment period for the other three teams.

Finland’s clear weakness is on the blue line, and it’s the primary reason why it’s considered the fourth-best team in the tournament. Miro Heiskanen is one of the NHL’s premier defenders, but he’s out of the tournament due to injury, Rasmus Ristolainen was also ruled out, while Jani Hakanpaa was pulled from the tournament as well, as he’s only been able to play two games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Niko Mikkola and Esa Lindell may be asked to take on an absurd workload against some of the best players in the world, and it will dictate Finland’s outlook at the tournament.

Projected lineup

Forwards:

Artturi Lehkonen-Aleksander Barkov-Mikko Rantanen

Roope Hintz-Sebastian Aho-Patrik Laine

Teuvo Teravainen-Erik Haula-Joel Armia

Eetu Luostarinen-Anton Lundell-Mikael Granlund

Defence:

Niko Mikkola-Esa Lindell

Juuso Valimaki-Olli Maatta

Urho Vaakanainen-Nikolas Matinpalo

Goaltenders:

Juuse Saros

Kevin Lankinen

How is this about the Leafs?

It’s not! Hakanpaa was the lone Maple Leafs player named to the roster, but he was ruled out on February 1, while battling a lingering knee issue. Maple Leafs’ fans and management alike will likely be scouting the numerous Panthers on the roster, with Barkov, Luostarinen and Lundell playing prominent roles, while Canadiens forward Patrik Laine could be poised to shoot the lights out in a short tournament. Consider this an exercise in scouting the Atlantic Division!

Prediction:

Finland has the star power up front to make life difficult for Canada, USA and Sweden, but ultimately, a lack of defensive depth will be its undoing. They won’t get run off the ice, the games will be competitive, but expect a few breakdowns off the rush, while Finland’s top players — Barkov, Rantanen, Aho namely — may be asked to play massive minutes, with their NHL teams glancing nervously at every shift. It’s safe to state that Finland will finish fourth in this tournament, barring some surprises.