Mitch Marner's OT Magic Lifts Canada Over Sweden in 4 Nations Face-Off Opening Classic

Mika Zibanejad, Missed it, Mitch Marner Won it

The final minutes of regulation were a track meet, with both teams exchanging quality chances. Gustavsson robbed Devon Toews on the doorstep, then denied Sam Reinhart in the slot.

Then came 3-on-3 overtime — a full ten minutes of chaos, and hopefully a preview of what'll transpire in regular NHL play. Canada had the early chances, including a jaw-dropping 3-on-1 with McDavid, MacKinnon, and Cale Makar that Gustavsson somehow kept out. Sweden nearly won it when Zibanejad found himself alone in the left circle, but Binnington stretched across for a game-saving stop. That was a good chance and a defensive stop on McDavid gave Rangers fans hope it was a sign of the man finding his confidence. Then, he fired a weak muffin on an odd man rush, missing the net by miles, showing his true season's colors.

Moments later, the Canadian dagger came. Captain Crosby set up the winner with his third assist on a brilliant drop pass to Marner, who rifled a shot past Gustavsson for the 4-3 victory, sending fans into delirium.

The euphoric fans chanted, "Ole." They also chanted for Crosby, who received the Rolex Player of the Game watch.

"[Crosby] will go down as the greatest player to represent his country," Team Canada Head Coach Jon Cooper said.

The red Maple Leafs are now 26-0 since 2010 with Crosby in the lineup, and Sid the Kid has 10 goals, 29 points, and a +85 rating in that span.

It was a fitting end to the first international best-on-best game in nine years. Canada's start was dominant, but Sweden's storm made for a thriller. The concerns about Canada's goaltending and blue-line depth remain, especially with Theodore now ruled out for the tournament and whether Travis Sandheim can step up in his absence.

Still, they got the job done — and, in the process, reminded fans of what high-stakes international hockey is all about.

As Marner said after the game, "you tell eight- or ten-year-old Mitch that he's scoring an overtime goal assisted by Sidney Crosby, a guy he's looked up to since day one … it's pretty crazy."

That is why this is happening. It's the stuff dreams are made of and we're just getting started. USA and Finland are up next on Thursday.