NHL Stars Gear Up for 4 Nations Face-Off Amid Rivalries

Montreal, Canada — As the highly anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off nears its opening games, NHL players from Team USA and Team Sweden addressed the media on Tuesday after practices, highlighting the intense preparation and rivalries ahead. Among those present were New York Rangers players Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, both key figures for their respective national teams.

The 4 Nations tournament, which kicks off on Wednesday, February 12, features a round-robin format with USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland vying for the championship. The event is a precursor to the upcoming Olympics and reflects a return to international competition for NHL players.

Kreider expressed excitement about reuniting with head coach John Tortorella, noting, “It’s good to see him again. He always treated me really well, and I had a positive experience as my first pro coach.” Kreider, one of four Rangers players representing Team USA, acknowledged the challenge of facing Sweden, mentioning teammate Zibanejad: “I think he knows all of my tricks, but his bag of tricks is a lot deeper than mine.”

Zibanejad, a native of Stockholm, shared his enthusiasm for playing for Team Sweden, stating, “I feel like a kid again. Speaking Swedish with my teammates brings me back. It’s good to be part of this and express myself in my native language.”

Team USA seeks to honor Johnny Gaudreau, whose spirit they aim to carry during the tournament. Kreider remarked, “The biggest way to honor him is to enjoy every second on the ice.”

The tournament schedule includes critical matchups, with USA playing Finland on February 13 and facing archrival Canada on February 15. All games will be televised on major sports networks such as ESPN and Sportsnet.

This year’s tournament is a continuation of the best-on-best NHL events, previously seen in formats like the Canada Cup and the World Cup of Hockey, which last occurred in 2016. It provides a stage to spotlight both emerging and established players, bridging generational gaps, as fans look forward to seeing stars like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid alongside each other.

As NHL teams approach the trade deadline, speculation looms regarding potential trades during the tournament. With teams operating under an active roster without a trade freeze, GMs continue to assess players showcasing their skills on the world stage.

In terms of tournament structure, each team will play three games in the round-robin phase, with the top two teams advancing to the championship on February 20. Standings will be determined differently compared to regular NHL standings, emphasizing regulation wins and overall performance metrics.

As the opening puck drop approaches, key storylines to watch include player rivalries and the on-ice chemistry between NHL teammates now adversaries. The anticipation builds for this notable return of NHL players to international competition.