It's official, Cale Makar's status for today's <a href='https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/4-nations-face-off/canada-finland-4-nations-face-off-game-recap-february-17' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>crucial Team Canada game vs Finland</a> has been revealed, as Canada will be eliminated with any type of loss. How close did Cale Makar get to take to the ice for <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/news/matthew-and-brady-tkachuk-reveal-the-shocking-reason-they-fought-in-the-first-few-seconds-of-canada-usa-game' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Saturday's make-or-break contest vs. Team USA</a>? Close enough to taping up his sticks during the pre-game warmup. Sunday afternoon in Boston, <a href='https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/player/cale-makar-8480069' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Makar</a> skated along with extras once more and had ongoing discussions on an ongoing basis with the coaching staff on his health situation. Ultimately, it will always be up to him on whether he wants to play or not. That brings us to the question, will Makar play today? He was seen in warmups during the pre-game skate. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/friedgehnic/status/1891542727776477390'> </a></blockquote></div> In terms of whether he will actually be playing today, we finally have our answer, as it appears that Makar will indeed be playing. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HockeyJoseph10/status/1891545727567790377'> </a></blockquote></div> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/russohockey/status/1891546239109374119'> </a></blockquote></div> There were behind-the-scenes whispers on whether Makar's replacement, Thomas Harley, remained on tap to play on Monday even if Makar got clearance. Such questions were dashed, though, after the Stars defenseman got clearance to dress no matter what. <h3>Thomas Harley is wowing his coaches, but will be a healthy scratch</h3> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/ericengels/status/1891545528179028207'> </a></blockquote></div> Despite all of the uncertainty, Harley wowed his teammates right off the hop, securing the quick trust of coach Jon Cooper. And then there's Sidney Crosby, battling soreness that's keeping him out of taking face-offs, who had a costly giveaway and hasn't been finding that same chemistry on this breakneck pace of hockey that he and Nathan MacKinnon share on Tim Hortons commercials. Connor McDavid's old linemate Sam Reinhart and OT hero Mitch Marner were powerless to make much of an impression on the Americans. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/stoolgambling/status/1890973899480785392'> </a></blockquote></div> The play of Brayden Point is crying out for him to have a greater role, while Sam Bennett is waiting to finally be unleashed. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/news/connor-mcdavid-issues-bold-statement-regarding-monday-upcoming-team-canada-game' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>All eyes will be on Canada today</a> to see whether they will get a rematch with the USA on Thursday in the finals.