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.

Team Canada has lost an important presence on the back end for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has withdrawn from the world tournament "to tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season.

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.

The United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden will play in the Feb. 12-20 4 Nations Face-Off. Here are the rosters and captains.

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

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,

Sidney Crosby scored in overtime to cap a two-point game as the Pittsburgh Penguins earned a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.

In Pittsburgh's first trip to Utah, the captain gave the crowd something to remember with a patented backhand goal.

You could consider it a blow to Canada's roster, but the team is talent-rich on the blue line and has options to replace Pietrangelo. We have a list of players in mind to join a Canada defense that includes Cale Makar, Josh Morrissey, Colton Parayko, Travis Sanheim, Shea Theodore, and Devon Toews.