The NHL Global Takeover: A Snapshot of the 4 Nations Face-Off and What’s to Come

Courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

This year, the NHL took a step back from its typical early-year programming. Since the league’s players are allowed to participate in the Olympics for the first time in 12 years next year, why not give the world an early taste of what’s to come? Thus, the 4 Nations Face-Off was born. NHL players from Sweden, Finland, Canada and the U.S. took to the world stage to face off against each other as people from all over the world – not just hockey fans – tuned in to watch. While the event was surely entertaining, some questions are currently floating in the air. Could this event replace the All-Star Game? What is the future for global hockey?

Round-Robin Fun for Everyone

The event was structured round-robin style, where each team plays each other once. The tournament started with Canada against Sweden. Canada ended up winning 4-3 in an overtime thriller, with the game-winning goal being scored by Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Mitch Marner. Pittsburgh Penguins captain and center Sidney Crosby, who was also the captain of the Canadian team, had an assist on Marner’s goal, marking his third career three-point game in an international NHL tournament.

Courtesy of Yuri Kuzmin/KHL

The next game was between the USA and Finland. The USA nearly swept out Finland, winning 6-1. Highlighting the scoring were the infamous Tkachuk brothers – Matthew, a left winger for the Florida Panthers, and Brady, a left winger and captain of the Ottawa Senators – who both scored twice. Adding to the left winger dominance in the scoring were Matt Boldy from the Minnesota Wild and Jake Guentzel of the Tampa Bay Lighting, both scoring one goal each.

For the third game, the European teams went head-to-head. Though both teams were full of NHL powerhouses – such as Aleksander Barkov and Mikko Rantanen on Finland’s team and Mika Zibanejad and Erik Karlsson on Sweden’s team – Finland came through to win 4-3 in overtime after a fantastic goal from Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund.

The fourth game was probably the most talked about game of the tournament. The two North American teams – arguably some of the most hockey-dominant countries, Canada and the U.S. – were to face off on Canadian soil. Emotions were high, as within three minutes, three fights had already broken out across the ice. However, the U.S. quickly showed its dominance, out-scoring the Canadians 3-1, with Guentzel scoring two goals and Detroit Red Wings captain and center Dylan Larkin scoring one goal.

Courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

In the first game of the final day of the round-robin tournament, Canada took on Finland. Canada started strong with Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scoring twice, and Edmonton Oilers captain and center Connor McDavid and Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point each scoring once. However, Finland started to catch up, bringing the four-goal deficit to a one-goal deficit, aided by two goals from Granlund and one goal from his fellow Dallas Stars teammate, defenseman Esa Lindell. But, Crosby saved the day for Canada, flipping in an empty netter to secure a 5-3 win.

In the final game of the round robin tournament, the U.S. was playing against Sweden. In this game, Sweden took the power stance from the beginning. New Jersey Devils left winger Jesper Bratt and Nashville Predators right winger Gustav Nyquist each scored goals early in the first period to put them ahead. Though New York Rangers left winger Chris Kreider scored, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson was a force in the net for Sweden, blocking 32 out of 33 shots and helping his country cement its 2-1 win.

Courtesy of Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press

Overall, the U.S. and Canada had the most wins, meaning they would face off for a much-anticipated rematch for the championship.

The Showdown

On the final day of the Face-Off, the two most hockey-dominant countries of today were to face each other. Both teams had stacked rosters, with each player having loads of accolades. Each player was going to do whatever it took to make sure their country won the tournament. Fans settled on their couches to watch the thrilling game take place.

Determined to start out hot and not let their American rivals get ahead, Canada opened up the scoring when MacKinnon slid a deke past Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. However, the USA wasn’t going to get too far behind, as Brady Tkachuk scored in the final minutes of the first period to even out the score 1-1.

Courtesy of Brian Babineau/Getty Images

In the second period, the U.S. quickly took the lead when Tkachuk’s Ottawa Senators teammate, defenseman Jake Sanderson scored. Not to be outdone, Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett scored a goal for Canada, tying the score 2-2.

The third period was a dog fight back-and-forth, in which each team’s defense was able to swiftly match the other team’s offense. Still tied at 2-2 at the end of the third, the game was headed into the period that gives every hockey fan a near heart attack: overtime. With faceoff percentages being completely even going into overtime, it was sure to be brutal. Just over halfway through the period, McDavid scored the magical goal, with assists from Marner and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar. In a nail-biting game, the Canadians had won the international tournament.

The Face-Off is Over, What’s Next?

Courtesy of Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP

Overall, the Four Nations Face-Off was a massive hit among its audiences. Not only did it celebrate professional hockey on a global level and give people a taste for what the Olympics will be like in 2026, but it drew people together from all walks of life and backgrounds – from die-hard hockey fans, to fans of other sports, to people who had never watched a day of hockey in their lives. In fact, the championship game drew in 16.1 million viewers across North America, including around nine million Americans and six million Canadians, making it the most-viewed non-NFL game on ESPN+. Though the All-Star Weekend was a fun tradition, the Four Nations Face-Off was clearly more popular among viewers.

So, it begs the question, what’s next?

Well, it’s rumored that the NHL is going to try and turn the Face-Off into something that regularly takes place every two years. It’s even rumored that, besides the original four nations that competed this year, more teams might be added, including a possible Russian team and an “All Nations” team for players from nations that have little NHL representation.

Courtesy of Charles Krupa/AP Photo

With the Four Nations Face-Off, the NHL proved that the future is bright for hockey on the global stage. Though some may argue that the NHL is the underdog among the Big Four major sports leagues in North America, the Face-Off proved just how quickly many people rallied together to watch players from their country shoot some pucks. With the diversity of the players in the NHL, hockey has the power to bring people from all over the world together. It will be exciting to see how the NHL expands this event in the future!

Edited by Jenna Mandarano