3 Takeaways From Finland’s 4-3 OT Win vs. Sweden
<p>With everything on the line, the Finns came through. Finland beat their rival Sweden in overtime, 4-3, to keep their hopes of winning the 4 Nations Face-Off alive. <a href="https://thehockeywriters.com/4nations-recap-finland-win-sweden-02-15-2025/">Mikael Granlund potted the winner</a>, while Kevin Lankinen came up clutch between the pipes. What were some takeaways?</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lundell-is-making-a-name-for-himself">Lundell Is Making a Name for Himself</h2>
<p>Anyone who’s paid close attention to the Florida Panthers this season knows what <a href="https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/anton-lundell/">Anton Lundell</a> is capable of. But he made that clear on the biggest stage. He had a solid effort, putting up a goal that got Finland out of an early 1-0 deficit.</p>
<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Related: <a href="https://thehockeywriters.com/guide-to-the-2025-4-nations-face-off/">Guide to the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off</a></strong></p>
<p>Lundell was a big reason for Finland’s victory, showing chemistry with Panthers teammate Eetu Luostarinen and an <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/zach-werenski-and-patrik-laine-to-faceoff-against-one-another-at-four-nations-werenski-comments-on-laine">always-dangerous Patrik Laine</a>. Lundell’s play-driving and two-way skills shined, grading out positively both offensively and defensively.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">FIN-SWE Ratings <a href="https://t.co/SC1iYYtzxC">pic.twitter.com/SC1iYYtzxC</a></p>— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/domluszczyszyn/status/1890870027718455640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>Not only is Lundell a key piece for the Panthers’ future, but he’ll be one for Finland whenever they play internationally, too. The 23-year-old is having a breakout campaign back in the NHL, leaving for the tournament with 36 points in 56 games. He has <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20242025&thruseason=20242025&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=std&rate=n&team=FLA&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL">26 points at 5-on-5 alone</a>, which is only four <a href="https://thehockeywriters.com/panthers-sam-reinhart-is-living-in-opponents-heads/">behind Sam Reinhart</a> for first place on his team. If we look at it on a rate basis, his 2.20 points per 60 minutes are only 0.06 behind Reinhart for first.</p>
<p>Both the Panthers and Finland alike want what’s best for Lundell, but that may be inevitable anyway. He’s a rising young player, and he’s only proving why he has star potential in this tournament.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barkov-was-perfect">Barkov Was Perfect</h2>
<p>You couldn’t ask for more from <a href="https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/aleksander-barkov/">Aleksander Barkov</a>—the Finnish captain was perfect. Puck battles were nothing but routine, and his playmaking was tremendous. He had the game-tying goal, which was only a chapter in his book of excellence.</p>
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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="4 Nations Face-Off Finland" class="wp-image-1440744" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" height="724" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" src="https://s3951.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/4Nations_Finland-1200x724.jpg" srcset="https://s3951.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/4Nations_Finland-1200x724.jpg 1200w, https://s3951.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/4Nations_Finland-575x347.jpg 575w, https://s3951.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/4Nations_Finland-100x60.jpg 100w, https://s3951.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/4Nations_Finland-768x463.jpg 768w, https://s3951.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/4Nations_Finland-1536x927.jpg 1536w, https://s3951.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/4Nations_Finland.jpg 2000w" width="1200"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">4 Nations Face-Off Finland (The Hockey Writers)</figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Barkov didn’t captain a Stanley Cup team last summer for no reason. When he wants to steal a puck, he’ll do it. When he wants to make a play with it, he’ll do it. The 29-year-old center may not put up the same incredible highlights as his fellow NHL superstars, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a part of that exclusive group. He put some of what makes him great on display against the Swedes, who most certainly wish he didn’t.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finland-played-a-much-better-game">Finland Played a Much Better Game</h2>
<p>The Finns were completely overwhelmed by the Americans in their 6-1 loss. But not today. <a href="https://moneypuck.com/">According to MoneyPuck</a>, Finland had a 35.73% expected goal share against the United States—that was upped to 53.90% versus Sweden.</p>
<p>Finland wasn’t flawless, but they played about as good as they realistically could have. A Sweden team that gave Canada <a href="https://thehockeywriters.com/4nations-recap-canada-win-sweden-02-13-2025/">a run for their money</a> was outplayed by the Finns—that’s very inspiring. Although beating Canada is a much taller ask, this contest provides at least a bit of confidence that they can make things interesting.</p>
<p>In my <a href="https://thehockeywriters.com/3-takeaways-from-finlands-6-1-loss-to-usa-2-13-2025/">takeaways piece from Finland’s last loss</a>, I highlighted their special teams and goaltending as reasons for defeat, which are also things that they could change. Well, they did. After losing the special teams battle 2-0, they won it 1-0. After allowing six goals, they halved that total to three. They aren’t more talented than their Swedish foes on paper, so these areas were crucial to win.</p>
<p>In their final matchup of the Round Robin, Finland will take on Canada. Theoretically, if they can win that one in regulation and Canada doesn’t win <a href="https://thehockeywriters.com/4-nations-face-off-day-3-preview-finland-sweden-usa-canada/">against the United States tonight</a> in regulation, then the Finns will move on to the championship round. It’s do-or-die, and it’ll take place at 1 p.m. EST in TD Garden on Feb. 17.</p>
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