Canada is without No. 1 defenseman Cale Makar for its game against the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Makar was a late scratch for Canada before its matchup against the United States because of an illness and is considered day to day.

Canada is set to face Team USA for all the marbles in the 4 Nations Face-Off, and Makar just might be the X-factor in the face of towering aggression from the Tkachuk brothers and the unmatched shooting of Matthews. After all, a beast can come back twice as strong after you kill it the first time.

The Canadian team has been playing without one of its top defensemen in Cale Makar, who has been recovering from an illness. If Canada wants to get a win over Finland on Monday afternoon and secure a place in the championship game, it could benefit from a return from Makar.

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Cale Makar was not in the lineup for Canada in its 3-1 loss against the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off at Bell Centre on Saturday.

Team Canada was without defenseman Cale Makar during their 3-1 loss to Team USA last Saturday, but the 2022 Norris Trophy winner will be in the lineup Thursday night as the two teams square off in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game.

Canada had a tough time scoring in their 4 Nations Face-Off round robin game against the United States last Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Despite generating 30 scoring chances, including 16 high-danger chances,

MONTREAL -- Cale Makar was on the ice for Canada's morning skate Saturday and will be a game-time decision for its showdown with the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off at Bell Centre (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS).