What to know for the 4 Nations Face-Off

The anticipation is high as the NHL’s best players prepare for their return to the Olympics next year. But before the main event, fans are in for a treat with the new 4 Nations Face-Off tournament featuring Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland. This star-studded mini-tournament kicks off on Wednesday night with Canada taking on Sweden in Montreal.

The idea for the 4 Nations Face-Off was confirmed by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association during last February’s all-star festivities in Toronto. It was announced alongside the news that the NHL and players had agreed to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The tournament is replacing the all-star game this year, giving players who are not participating a two-week break before the NHL regular season resumes on Feb. 22.

The tournament features only four countries, including Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland. While ideally a 6 Nations Face-Off would include Russia and the Czech Republic, Russia’s ban from international hockey and the logistical challenges of a five-team tournament led to the exclusion of these countries. The NHL and NHLPA hope that the Russia situation will be resolved soon as they aim to bring back a full-fledged World Cup of Hockey in the future.

The format of the tournament is straightforward. It begins with a round-robin stage where each team plays each other once. The teams with the two best records will then compete in the championship game. The tournament starts in Montreal before moving to Boston for the latter stages.

The tournament schedule includes seven games starting with Canada vs. Sweden on Feb. 12 and concluding with the championship game on Feb. 20 in Boston. Each team’s roster is filled with star players, with Sidney Crosby leading Team Canada and Auston Matthews leading Team USA. The betting markets have Canada and the U.S. as co-favorites to win the title, with Sweden and Finland considered long shots.

Despite the friendly nature of the tournament, there is sure to be intense competition on the ice. The rivalry between Canada and the U.S. will be on full display, with both teams expected to meet in the final in Boston. The round-robin matchup between the two teams in Montreal is also expected to be a highly competitive game.

While hockey may not be the most important thing in the world, tournaments like the 4 Nations Face-Off provide a thrilling showcase of talent and national pride. Fans can expect fast-paced action, fierce competition, and plenty of excitement as these top-tier teams battle it out on the ice.