While the 4 Nations Face-Off gave Connor McDavid the chance to play hero for his home country, the nine-day layoff may have put a dent in his NHL team's playoff push. After scoring the overtime, series-winning goal for Team Canada against the United States on Thursday,

The symbolism was unmistakable when Connor McDavid delivered the moment that kept Team Canada atop the podium to cap the NHL’s reintroduction to top-tier international competition at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Same countries. Same score. Another once-in-a-generation player delivering the dagger.

Hockey fans witnessed an all-time classic on Thursday night in the 4 Nations Final. Team Canada and Team USA went back and forth all night long. However, it was Team Canada that emerged victorious from the 4 Nations Final in Boston. Nathan MacKinnon won MVP honors for the tournament after Connor McDavid scored the proverbial Golden Goal.