Matthews said the 4 Nations experience, including the fact that Team USA was just one goal away from victory, whetted the entire team’s appetite heading into Italy.
“I mean, I think it had that effect on everyone,” said Matthews, who had three assists in three games and captained the United States for the event. “I think it was like that for all the players that got to compete and for the fans that watched. I mean, it’s so great for the game to have that aspect and bring something new for the guys that didn’t get to compete and do best-on-best type formats.
“So I think it’s amazing for the game that we can have NHL players representing their country. And I hope that continues to grow the game and in all the positive ways that it should.”
The final NHL games before the Olympics will take place on February 5, with the first practice scheduled for February 8. The United States plays its first match on February 12 against Latvia (3:10 p.m. ET; USA), so there isn’t much time to cool down.
But Matthews believes the chemistry the U.S. built during the 4 Nations will carry over to Italy. Only two players in the 4 Nations confrontation: the striker Chris Kreider (Anaheim Ducks) and defenseman Adam Fox (New York Rangers) – will not be in Italy, while only three players who were not present at the 4 Nations – forwards Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres) and Clayton Keller (Utah Mammoth) and defender Jackson LaCombe (Ducks) – will make the Olympic team.
“I’m delighted there are a lot of guys coming back from the 4 Nations,” he said. “I think it was a quick tournament, but I thought, you know, we bonded really quickly. We became a team really quickly. And a lot of us played with each other, got to know each other, kind of going through juniors, Worlds, World Juniors, things like that. So it’s important to have that chemistry, that bond.
“I think there’s a lot of strengths. I just think the cohesion that we had throughout this tournament, the way we played as a team, it didn’t matter what role you had. Most of the guys come from their respective teams, where you play on the power play, play the best minutes, things like that. And then you come to a team like (the United States) where everyone plays similar roles. You have to kind of stick to your role and do what’s there. better for the team and I thought everyone did that.
“I mean, that’s the sign of a great team.”
Matthews took the time to congratulate the Team USA forward Brock Nelsonwho scored a hat trick in the Colorado Avalanche’s 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs on Sunday. Entering play Monday, only Nelson (21) has more goals than Matthews (16) among U.S.-born players since Nov. 29.
