Written by Theresa Balocating
The Road to the Championship: Schedule and Venues
The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off is fast approaching, running from Wednesday, February 12, to Thursday, February 20. This inaugural tournament will showcase NHL stars from the USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden competing for the title.
Schedule and Locations
Two practice days will be set aside for teams on February 10 and 11 before the tournament begins.
The action will take place across two venues: four games at the Bell Centre in Montreal and three games at TD Arena in Boston.
Practice Days:
February 10 and 11 (closed to the public)
Venues:
Bell Centre, Montreal: Hosts four games
TD Garden, Boston: Hosts three games, including the championship
Game Schedule
Wednesday, February 12:
Canada vs. Sweden at 8 p.m. ET (Montreal)
Thursday, February 13:
USA vs. Finland at 8 p.m. ET (Montreal)
Saturday, February 15:
Finland vs. Sweden at 1 p.m. ET (Montreal)
Sweden vs. USA at 8 p.m. ET (Montreal)
Monday, February 17:
Canada vs. Finland at 1 p.m. ET (Boston)
Sweden vs. USA at 8 p.m. ET (Boston)
Thursday, February 20: The championship game at 8 p.m. ET (Boston)
How the Tournament Works
Following a Round Robin format and playing in accordance with NHL rules, each team will play three games.
The points system is as follows:
3 points: Win in regulation time
2 points: Win in overtime/shootout
1 point: Loss in overtime/shootout
0 points: Loss in regulation time.
The one-game final will feature the two teams with the highest records at the end of the Round Robin stage.
During the Round Robin games, overtime will consist of a three-on-three sudden-death period lasting 10 minutes, followed by a three-round shootout if necessary.
In the final game, overtime will feature five-on-five sudden-death play, with consecutive 20-minute periods continuing until a team scores.
Overtime RulesRound Robin Games:
10 minutes, 3-on-3 sudden death overtime
Shootout (three rounds, if necessary)
Championship Game:
20-minute, 5-on-5 sudden death periods until a goal is scored.
Who is Hitting the Ice?
Each team has finalized its 23-player roster for the tournament, featuring 13 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 3 goaltenders.
Team Canada:
The forward lineup includes stars such as Connor McDavid, Brad Marchand, Mitch Marner, Nathan MacKinnon, and veteran Sidney Crosby. On defense, the team will feature Cale Makar, Josh Morrissey, and Alex Pietrangelo, among others. In goal, Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault will take charge.
Team USA:
Star forwards Auston Matthews, Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, and brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk headline the roster. The defense will include Brock Faber, Charlie McAvoy, and Zach Werenski, while Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman will form the goaltending trio.
Team Finland:
The Finnis’ forward group features Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Artturi Lehkonen, Kaapo Kakko, and others. Defenders Jani Hakanpaa, Miro Heiskanen, and Olli Maattaa will anchor the blue line, with Kevin Lankinen, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Juuse Saros in net.
Team Sweden:
The Swedish team will be represented by forwards William Nylander, Lucas Raymond, Elias Pettersson, Adrian Kempe, and more. Erik Karlsson, Jonas Brodin, and Mattias Ekholm are key members of the defense, while Filip Gustavsson, Jacob Markstrom, and Linus Ullmark will serve as the team’s goaltenders.
A New Chapter for International Hockey
This tournament rekindles historic rivalries, with players and fans alike eager to embrace the return of the best-on-best international hockey absent since 2016
Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine, representing Finland expressed his passion and eagerness to play against his Swedish rivals:
“We hate them, that’s pretty much it,” said Laine in an interview. “It’s always been a rivalry.”
This tournament will bring not only the stars together, but fans will be able to experience icons playing against other icons in the battle of the nations.
"It doesn't matter if it's hockey or everything else, we'll try to be better than them. I feel like it's kind of the same as the U.S.-Canada kind of thing. So it will be cool to play against those guys and hopefully beat them," said Laine.
During the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, Commissioner Gary Bettman unveiled the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, describing it as an “appetizer” for the sport’s exciting future. He emphasized the significance of upcoming international events, including NHL players competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, and the 2030 Winter Olympics, signaling a return to the global stage for the league’s biggest stars.
The 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off offers a rare chance to witness elite players from powerhouse nations go head-to-head. It is a celebration of hockey at its finest, rekindling historic rivalries, fueling national pride, and uniting fans around the world in their love for the game.
Edited by Madeleine Meneguzzi
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