Grading the Vegas Golden Knights playing in the 4 Nations Face-Off

Boy, do we need to do that 4 Nations Face-Off again sometime! It had every bit of drama, intensity, and storytelling that every sports fan craves. Even the championship round went into overtime, where it was a tightly contested match between two countries. That is until Connor McDavid scored a storybook-ending goal for the Canadians. Somewhere, you can hear Paul Bissonnette slowly transform into Canadian Nick Wright. You only have to replace Patrick Mahomes with McDavid.

Sometimes, you can't get what you want in life. The Americans' hopes of winning in Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau's honor fell short, 3-2. Sometimes, it's the McBundy player that comes in and unalives your team's hopes of winning. Oh well, it's on to the regular season, where a Stanley Cup must be won. The United States will (hopefully) see Canada in the 2026 Olympics.

Aside from a rivalry being reborn, the 4 Nations tournament has attracted new fans across the globe. It has also shown the world what players like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone can do on the biggest stage. The Vegas Golden Knights superstars made their presence felt with the lights bright, boosting their respective stocks.

Therefore, let's grade three Golden Knights on how they performed throughout the tournament. Remember that Shea Theodore suffered an upper-body injury in the first game against Sweden and Adin Hill didn't play at all. Therefore, these two players are exempt from grading. Instead, let's focus on Eichel, Stone, and Noah Hanifin and see how they did.

Jack Eichel: A-

Jack Eichel was incredible during the 4 Nations Face-Off. He had four assists during the tournament and showcased his incredible two-way game. In fact, he was the main reason why the United States was competitive in the championship round. Take this fantastic penalty kill shift as a perfect example.

When you lose your stick after making a play, you must do whatever it takes to prevent goals from happening. That's what separates the regular Joes from the elites. The center got into Cristiano Ronaldo mode and helped kill off a penalty with his feet. The tournament showed he deserves recognition among the league's best, especially with plays like this.

Noah Hanifin: C

Some people are saying that Noah Hanifin had a solid defensive performance throughout the tournament. He had nine blocked shots and eight shots in four games, showing Vegas Golden Knights fans what he's capable of with the game on the line.

However, he posted a -2 rating and scored no points throughout the showcase. It was more of the same for the Boston native, whose on-ice presence allowed for untimely goals. Las Vegans have grown familiar with his game and have become exhausted. Still, fans should be inspired by his improved defensive play and hope he continues building off that momentum.

Mark Stone: B

Believe it or not, the Canadians don't win the 4 Nations Face-Off without Mark Stone. The Captain scored a crucial goal against Sweden that helped them win in overtime. Without that goal, it would've been the Swedes taking on the United States in the championship round. It also would've been a less-interesting matchup, which wouldn't sit right with Gary Bettman.

Sure, the Winnipeg native was quiet in the last two games of the tournament. But Stone had four blocked shots, seven shots on goal, and five hits in four games. Minor contributions like this set his teammates up for success and translated into goals later. It's something Las Vegans have grown accustomed to seeing from their superstar, who's become a stellar piece wherever he plays.