4 Nations Face-Off Begins: NHL Stars Compete in Montreal, Boston!

Montreal, Canada – The 4 Nations Face-Off, an international hockey tournament featuring teams composed of NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States, kicks off on February 12 in Montreal. The tournament runs through February 20 in Montreal and Boston, marking the first best-on-best competition since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.

This inaugural event will follow a round-robin format where each team plays against all others. The tournament will consist of rosters featuring 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goalies, with each country showcasing some of the biggest names in hockey.

The tournament begins with Canada facing Sweden, with Canada’s Sidney Crosby as the captain. Crosby, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time Hart Trophy winner, will be supported by alternate captains Connor McDavid and Mitch Marner.

On February 13, Team USA, captained by Auston Matthews, will enter the rink against Finland in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Other notable US participants include Patrick Kane and defenseman Charlie McAvoy, both of whom have distinguished records in the NHL.

Finland, led by Aleksander Barkov, will also be fielding a strong team, which consists of key players such as Mikko Rantanen and Sebastian Aho. Meanwhile, Sweden will look to leverage its squad, with Victor Hedman at the helm. Hedman, recognized as one of the top defensemen in the NHL, brings substantial experience.

The full schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Canada vs. Sweden (Canada wins 4-3 OT)

Thursday, Feb. 13: USA vs. Finland at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS)

Saturday, Feb. 15: Finland vs. Sweden at 1 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS), USA vs. Canada at 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS)

Monday, Feb. 17: Canada vs. Finland at 1 p.m. ET (MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS), Sweden vs. USA at 8 p.m. ET (MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS)

Thursday, Feb. 20: Championship game at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS)

Notably, the tournament will adhere to NHL rules, with slight modifications to enhance competition. This setup provides coaches and fans a glimpse of potential Olympic line-ups as NHL players return to the Winter Games in 2026.

“This tournament is a fantastic opportunity for teams to solidify their rosters before the Olympics,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “We’re thrilled to showcase the talent our league has to offer on an international platform.”

The 4 Nations Face-Off will feature broadcast coverage across multiple platforms, including ESPN, ABC, truTV, and TNT for viewer accessibility.

The excitement builds as hockey fans around the world prepare for these thrilling matchups.