NHL players have waited nearly a decade to participate in an international contest, and it’s already set up some interesting clashes among teammates. One of these anticipated face-offs will happen when Boston Bruins teammates Brad Marchand and Jeremy Swayman take to the ice. While the Bruins’ goaltender has squared up against Marchand in practice, this will be different.

Jeremy Swayman opened up on his feelings about facing his NHL teammate during the pre-tournament press conference. “Well, it’s professional. We’re business as usual here, and he’s wearing his. Of course, if I see him, I’ll say ‘hi.’ He’s my boy,” said the goaltender. However, Swayman hinted it won’t be so serious off the ice. “We’ll hug and kiss after, you know,” joked the 26-year-old.

However, things can and will get serious when Brad Marchand and Jeremy Swayman represent their nations on the ice. The Canadian, who is a decade older than his Boston Bruins teammate, didn’t joke about the tournament starting on Wednesday. “When you put that jersey on for Canada, there are no friends on the ice, and they will feel the exact same way,” explained Marchand.

Marchand knew those who play alongside him in the NHL wouldn’t hesitate to score against him. “That’s part of playing for your country. You do whatever it takes, sacrifice whatever you have to, to win. We’ll be doing that, they’ll be doing that,” added the Canadian hockey star. Swayman was of the same opinion, despite his lighthearted comments on competing against Marchand.

The goaltender knew Marchand wouldn’t hold back in front of the net. Swayman is quite familiar with the 36-year-old’s knack of riling his opponents. He has seen Marchand do it many times on the ice and is excited to face the challenge. “That’s something that he’s perfected over his career and I’m excited to play against it,” said the Team USA goaltender. In fact, Brad Marchand and Swayman’s dynamic at the 4 Nations Face-Off won’t be the expectation but rather the norm.

Brad Marchand is part of a three-way rivalry among four Boston Bruins stars

Other than Swayman, the Canadian veteran will have to compete against teammates Charlie McAvoy (USA) and Elias Lindholm (Sweden). The Bruins forward doesn’t expect either of them to cut him any slack. “I can put any amount of money on it, that if Chucky gets a chance to run me, he’s going to run me,” Marchand said about McAvoy on Tuesday.

However, not everyone was ready to instantly flip the switch like Brad Marchand or Jeremy Swayman. Elias Lindholm admitted to not finding it so straightforward while parting ways with Marchand at the airport. The teammates traveled on the same flight. Lindholm acknowledged feeling weird now that he would have to treat Marchand as an opponent until the tournament ends.

However, this dynamic doesn’t stop at the players. The coaches aren’t immune, either. Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan will lead Team USA as coach. However, none of the two Penguins players, Sidney Crosby (Canada) and Erik Karlsson (Sweden) are part of the Team USA roster. Instead, coach Sullivan will lead players from teams he strives to beat during the NHL season.

So it’s safe to say that despite having just four international teams, the 4 Nations Face-Off has pitted several NHL teammates against one another. However, when it comes to representing their nations on the international stage, Payers such as Brad Marchand are proud to have earned the chance.