By Theresa Balocating
From intense rivalries to hard-hitting action, the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off made a statement, delivering the kind of electric, chaotic, and wildly entertaining hockey excitement that only Best-on-Best competition can provide. Let’s take a closer look at some of the tournament’s biggest moments.
National Rivalries - A Clash of Hockey Giants
In a jam-packed seven-game tournament, the intensity of national rivalries took center stage.
One of the most anticipated matches? The USA vs. Canada showdown on February 15, wasted no time in setting the tone. Before the sold-out crowd of 21,105 at Montreal’s Bell Centre, the game erupted into chaos with three fights breaking out within the first nine seconds.
“We needed to send a message,” said American forward Matthew Tkachuk, who dropped the gloves with Canadian forward Brandon Hagel right off the opening faceoff. “The message we wanted to send is, ‘It’s our time.’”
The message was certainly received, especially by the Canadians, who suffered a 3-1 loss.
The North American rivalry wasn’t the only one serving up high-stakes drama. The Finland vs. Sweden matchup was a nail-biter from start to finish, with both teams battling until the end.
Finland secured the W with a 4-3 overtime victory courtesy of Mikael Granlund’s game-winner - the first OT goal in Finalnd’s International history – a game-winner, no less.
“I finally shot one of those,” Granlund said. “It's always great to beat Sweden. Those games are fun to play. It's great to come (out) on top, and at the same time we are alive in this tournament. Everything is in our own hands.”
Stars of the Game
Among the elite talent on display, some players delivered performances that reminded everyone exactly why they’re superstars.
Nathan MacKinnon – NHL 4 Nations Face-Off MVP
From the opening moments of the tournament, Nathan MacKinnon, wasted no time showing off his brilliance. He kicked things off with a quick goal for Canada against Sweden and didn't slow down from there, racking up four goals and four assists, to claim the honor of the tournament’s MVP. His efforts not only solidified his individual brilliance but also marked a promising step forward for Team Canada.
Team Canada Captain, Sidney Crosby explained MacKinnon’s performance as “clutch.”
“In big moments he’s done that time and time again. He’s stepped up and he did it for us. I know what it means to him, so I’m happy for him to get rewarded and happy to see him have a great tournament. He deserves it,” added Crosby.
The Colorado Avalanche superstar is no stranger to accolades. MacKinnon’s MVP trophy will join his already overflowing trophy case, including his reigning Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.
Connor Hellebuyck – USA’s Brick Wall
Connor Hellebuyck’s performance for Team USA proved to be a key difference-maker throughout the tournament. Across three appearances, he stopped 69 of 74 shots for a .932 save percentage and a 1.59 goals-against average.
Despite his stellar play, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner wasn’t exactly celebrating after Team USA’s loss to Canada in the final.
“It’s kind of a heartbreak, and I’m still getting over it,” Hellebuyck admitted. “But looking forward here to the rest of our season and a big playoff push. It was really fun to play some emotional games.”
Back in our regularly scheduled NHL programming, Hellebuyck’s dominance in net for the Winnipeg Jets has put him in strong contention for his second consecutive Vezina Trophy—and would be third of his career.
Connor McDavid – Captain Canada
If you give Connor McDavid a chance to shine on the international stage, you can bet he’ll deliver.
Throughout the tournament, McDavid had a total of three goals and two assists, including the game-winning overtime goal in the final against Team USA.
"Just to see the reaction. Just to know what it means to us. I know it's just a quick tournament, and it's not an Olympic gold medal or anything like that, but it means the world to our group, as you can see," McDavid said.
For the record, it also meant a lot to the over 6.3 million Canadians watching at home.
Mikael Granlund – Final Game Changer
Although Finland fell short in the tournament, Granlund was a menace all tournament long, leading his team in points with three goals and one assist.
Against the USA, he assisted Finland's lone goal. In the overtime battle against the Swedes, Granlund scored the game-winner. And in the final push against Canada, he nearly pulled off a miracle, scoring twice in the dying minutes to try to force overtime.
Brady Tkachuk – Agent of Chaos
You just knew the Tkachuk brothers were going to make some noise-didntcha? Brady Tkachuk was an absolute force, tying for the second-most goals in the tournament, bringing his signature blend of skill and chaos every shift.
Reflecting on the experience, he called playing for Team USA at the tournament his “favorite hockey memory.”
“This is gonna give us nice motivation for next year,” he added.
Translation: expect even more mayhem next time around.
Sidney Crosby – 'The Kid's' all Grown Up
Team Canada’s captain has long been the heartbeat of the nation’s hockey success—not just in the 4 Nations tournament, but across a storied career defined by excellence. Entering the tournament on a remarkable 26-game international winning streak, Crosby remains as dominant as ever.
At 37, he continues to set the standard, tallying five points in three games and finishing the round-robin stage as the tournament’s leading scorer heading into the championship rounds. His leadership and consistency have cemented him as a cornerstone of Canadian hockey.
Beyond his on-ice dominance, Crosby’s influence extends to the next generation, inspiring those who don the maple leaf. His presence was felt in the tournament opener against Sweden, when 27-year-old Mitch Marner scored the game-winner—set up by none other than his captain and childhood idol.
“If you would have told an 8- or 10-year-old Mitch Marner that he’d score an overtime goal in a Canada jersey assisted by Sidney Crosby, a guy he looked up to since day one, ya, it’s pretty crazy,” Marner said.
Crosby’s legacy isn’t just about what he’s done—it’s about who he’s paved the way for. And as long as he’s wearing the maple leaf, his impact will continue to shape the future of Canadian hockey.
One for the Ages – More than just a Title
The final game between Canada and USA was nothing short of an instant classic.
The first period kicked off with a wrist shot by MacKinnon (Canada) and a goal by Brady Tkachuk (USA), assisted by Captain Auston Matthews. The second period saw Jake Sanderson (USA) and Sam Bennett (Canada) trade goals to make it 2-2, heading into the third.
After a hard-fought third period to secure a win, no goals were scored and the game went into overtime.
With tension at an all-time high, Mitch Marner found Connor McDavid, who buried the golden goal to seal Canada’s victory.
"This wasn't a win for themselves. This was a win for 40-plus million people. And the guys knew it, and they delivered," said Canada head coach Jon Cooper.
Calling the tournament final a cherry on top would be an understatement. The 4 Nations Final was an unforgettable game filled with national pride, elite hockey, and, most importantly, passionate fans.
A total of 17,850 fans packed into TD Garden in Boston for the USA vs. Canada championship, while 16.1 million viewers tuned in across North America—9.3 million from the United States and 6.3 million from Canada.
The only hockey game to draw more viewers in the past decade? Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, where the Florida Panthers edged out the Edmonton Oilers 2-1.
What's next for International Hockey?
As the dust continues to settle, one question lingers: What comes next for international hockey?
The 4 Nations Face-Off reignited the passion for elite international competition, and the best part? We don't have to wait long for more. The NHL has officially announced its players will participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, marking the league's return to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2014.
“I think it's a huge and awesome lead-up to the Olympics hopefully next year,” said Cale Makar. “Everybody really put everything they had into it passion-wise, and it was a lot of fun."
If this tournament is just the appetizer, then the 2026 Olympics are set to be a full-course feast. Count me in—along with millions of other fans—ready to dig in.
Edited by Madeleine Meneguzzi
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