Everything you need to know about the 4 Nations Face-Off: Format, schedule, players, what’s next
In lieu of having an All-Star Game this season, the NHL and NHLPA are staging the 4 Nations Face-Off, which will run from Feb. 12 through Feb. 20. This is a round-robin tournament that will feature four national teams — Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States of America — with NHL players from those nations filling the rosters.
What’s the schedule and format for the tournament? Who is on the rosters? What are the players saying? And what does it mean for the 2026 Olympic Games?
Read on for answers to those questions and more, courtesy of Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski.
What is the format and rules of the tournament?
Each team will play three games, with the top two teams playing in a winner-take-all final. Teams will receive three points for a win in regulation, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss and zero points for a loss in regulation.
Overtime will be a 10-minute, 3-on-3 sudden death period. If the game is not decided in OT, there will be a three-round shootout. Once the tournament reaches the final game, overtime will be held in the more traditional playoff format, with 5-on-5 play in consecutive 20-minute periods. — Clark
Where are the games being held?
The 4 Nations Face-Off will be held in North America, splitting games between Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston.
Initially, the proposed format for the midseason tournament would have had the U.S. and Canada play two games in North America, while Sweden and Finland would play two games in either of those two nations. The winners of those matchups, either by points or aggregate goals, would face the second-best team from the other matchup — most likely in North America. The winners of those “semifinals” would then meet for the tournament championship, leaving open the possibility that the U.S. and Canada could meet in that final game.
But the logistics and schedule for the tournament proved too difficult for something that adventurous. There’s no semifinal round anymore. Instead of a global staging, it’s being held between two Original Six hockey markets.
There are four games held at Bell Centre, including a rivalry doubleheader:
Wednesday, Feb. 12: Canada vs. Sweden (8 p.m. ET)
Thursday, Feb. 13: USA vs. Finland (8 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 15: Finland vs. Sweden (1 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 15: USA vs. Canada (8 p.m.)
There are three games scheduled for TD Garden:
Monday, Feb. 17: Canada vs. Finland (1 p.m.)
Monday, Feb. 17: Sweden vs. USA (8 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 20: Championship Game (8 p.m.)
The possibility is there for the U.S. and Canada to meet in both cities, including for the championship. — Wyshynski
Why only four nations? And why these four?
In a word, practicality. The NHL is putting the 4 Nations tournament together on its own and not in concert with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), whereas the league and IIHF do have a partnership that’s bringing NHL players back to the Olympics in 2026 and 2030.
For this particular tournament, there are only four countries represented because there has to be enough NHL skaters to complete each roster. That’s why Germany, for example, isn’t involved in this event. The Czech Republic and Russia do both technically have the NHL representation to craft a team, but the league will not have a Russian squad involved due to their ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The league choosing to go with Canada, the USA, Sweden and Finland means their event incorporates the largest number of NHL stars for now, and in time — if all goes well — the NHL will get more players and countries in the mix. — Shilton
When was the last time there was a best-on-best international tournament with NHL players?
The year was 2016, and the event was the World Cup of Hockey. The tournament was started in 1996, and staged again in 2004 before it returned in 2016.
The 2016 edition included eight teams total, including national teams from Canada, Czechia, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the USA. There was also a Team Europe — for players from nations such as Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia that didn’t have full rosters — while the tournament also introduced Team North America. The roster for Team North America featured under-24 talent from Canada and the United States, including future superstars such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews and Connor Hellebuyck.
The 16-game tournament was ultimately won by Canada, beating Team Europe in a best-of-three format. — Clark
What are the players saying about it?
The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s great for the game of hockey,” Canadian forward Connor Bedard told ESPN. “Great for everyone to see the best players in each country going against each other. It’s going to be awesome, and people are going to love watching.”
“It’s going to be incredible for fans and players,” U.S. defenseman Brock Faber added. “It’s best-on-best, which hasn’t happened in a while, and that’s going to be so cool.”
While the younger contingency of NHL skaters might have many opportunities to represent their countries in the future, for some league veterans this 4 Nations event could be their best shot at such a chance.
“I would love to play in it,” U.S. defenseman John Carlson said. “To represent your country is cool; it’s a different animal than what we’re used to. And it’s fun to play against some of your teammates, play with some of your opponents. And obviously I think it’ll be awesome for the game of hockey.” — Shilton
Are there some players who aren’t raving about it?
While many players understand why the 4 Nations Face-Off exists, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s just four nations.
The World Cup of Hockey was more all-encompassing, to the point where the tournament had Team Europe, just to get those players whose national teams didn’t make the cut into the spotlight.
Russia and Czech Republic were both in the World Cup, and are not in the 4 Nations. In the case of the latter, at least one star player feels like his nation should have gotten an invite. Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak led Czechia to an IIHF world championship earlier this year. After winning the title, he posted a photo of himself holding the trophy with the caption: “Maybe Four Nation invite now?”
Pastrnak called their exclusion a “huge disappointment,” but could also understand there was a limited time and parameter to putting the 4 Nations tournament together.
Wait ’til 2026, Pasta. — Wyshynski
What does the winning country get?
The winning nation will receive a championship trophy. The NHL tells ESPN that it’s in the final design stages. Hopefully the trophy has a little more personality to it than the World Cup of Hockey one, which was accurately compared to a giant paperweight.
Both teams that make the championship game are also expected to receive medals.
As far as bonus money, it’s unclear if there is bonus money for the winning teams, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t financial incentives for making this tournament a success. Like the World Cup of Hockey, this tournament is an NHL and NHLPA presentation. The players will get a split of the profits, which will then be split among NHLPA members. The NY Post reported in 2016 that there was a 70/30 revenue split between players who played in the World Cup and those that did not. — Wyshynski
Who is on the rosters?
The teams announced an initial group of six players each in June:
Canada: Cale Makar (D, Avalanche); Sidney Crosby (F, Penguins); Nathan MacKinnon (F, Avalanche); Brad Marchand (F, Bruins); Connor McDavid (F, Oilers); Brayden Point (F, Lightning)
Finland: Juuse Saros (G, Predators); Miro Heiskanen (D, Stars); Esa Lindell (D, Stars); Sebastian Aho (F, Hurricanes); Aleksander Barkov (F, Panthers); Mikko Rantanen (F, Avalanche)
Sweden: Gustav Forsling (D, Panthers); Victor Hedman (D, Lightning); Erik Karlsson (D, Penguins); Filip Forsberg (F, Predators); William Nylander (F, Maple Leafs); Mika Zibanejad (F, Rangers)
United States: Adam Fox (D, Rangers); Quinn Hughes (D, Canucks); Charlie McAvoy (D, Bruins); Jack Eichel (F, Golden Knights); Auston Matthews (F, Maple Leafs); Matthew Tkachuk (F, Panthers)
The full rosters will be announced on Dec. 4. — ESPN Staff
What does all of this mean for the Olympic Games, and future tournaments?
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called the 4 Nations tournament “a bit of an appetizer” for the Olympics and forthcoming World Cup events. The league hasn’t shut down and allowed its skaters to participate in an Olympics since the 2014 Games in Sochi (meaning players missed out on the 2018 and 2022 showcases).
Top NHLers like Connor McDavid have been championing a return to the Olympics, and finally the league acquiesced and partnered with the IIHF to make that happen in 2026 and 2030. The plan is for the NHL to put on 4 Nations in February, go to the Milan Games in 2026, hold a World Cup in 2028, represent at the 2030 Games and then host another World Cup in 2032. The 2034 Winter Games will be hosted by Salt Lake City.
This tournament is a precursor to all of that, and it should be engaging for fans and give players a taste for that best-on-best style of play, which many haven’t experienced since the NHL last put on a World Cup in 2016. — Shilton
INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle Larson experienced his first crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, the second day that Indianapolis 500 drivers participated in open testing on the 2.5-mile oval.
The 2021 NASCAR champion spun coming out of the first turn, hit the wall and bounced down to the warmup lane before tapping the wall a second time and eventually rolling to a stop.
Larson blamed himself, saying he forgot to hit the weight jacker going into the turn. But he also tried to find some positive from the incident.
“I’m happy to crash my first Indy car and live through it,” Larson said.
IN THE WALL 😬@KyleLarsonRacin makes contact with the wall exiting Turn 1 and in Turn 2.
📺: INDYCAR YouTube pic.twitter.com/5TE5c1BXDs
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 24, 2025
An Arrow McLaren official told The Indianapolis Star that Larson will not take part in the Thursday afternoon practice session due to the crash damage. The team decided not to rush the repairs, which would have left minimal practice time at best, the official said.
Larson is attempting to complete “the double” by racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on May 25. His first attempt was thwarted by a rain delay in the 2024 Indy 500 that saw him arrive to the NASCAR race just as that race was called off for weather.
He wasn’t the only familiar name to crash Thursday. Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato crashed shortly after Larson, losing the back end of his car in the first turn and smacking the wall hard in the short chute before rolling to a stop.
“Lost it,” Sato said. “I simply lost it.”
Both drivers were checked at the infield hospital and released.
Graham Rahal also tapped the wall late in Wednesday’s practice.
Series officials added horsepower to the cars for the Thursday morning session as they test the IndyCar hybrid, which makes its IMS debut next month. An afternoon session without the boost closes out the two-day test.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
-
Jesse Rogers
CHICAGO — Los Angeles Dodgers starter Blake Snell will back off his throwing program as he continues to recover from left shoulder inflammation, according to manager Dave Roberts.
“As he was playing catch, he just didn’t feel great,” Roberts said Wednesday afternoon before the Dodgers played the Chicago Cubs. “Right now, we’re going to slow play the throwing. Will probably get it looked at again when we get back home.”
Snell, 32, has been on the injured list since early April after making just two starts for the Dodgers. He signed a five-year, $182 million contract this past offseason.
Snell, who was set to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, felt discomfort in the shoulder while playing catch Tuesday. Roberts was asked how concerning the latest setback was.
“I wouldn’t say concerning because part of the messaging from us to Blake is, it’s about later on in the season and if there’s any type of discomfort, let’s not try to fight through it,” Roberts responded.
Snell is one of several Dodgers pitchers on the mend, including left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who pitched three innings in a minor league start Tuesday, his second rehab outing this spring.
“Velocity was good,” Roberts said. “Got into the fourth inning. He’ll make a start next week. Really positive stuff.”
The Dodgers also received positive news about right-hander Tyler Glasnow after he left his last start with leg cramps. His latest bullpen session went well, according to Roberts.
Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani is throwing again after missing time on the paternity list. He’ll have another bullpen session Saturday as he recovers from elbow surgery, though the team still doesn’t have a timetable for his return to major league action.
The team was also without catcher Will Smith on Wednesday after he injured his wrist on a play at the plate in Tuesday’s loss to the Cubs.
“As he made the tag, his [left] wrist turned in and so there’s some residual soreness,” Roberts said.
Smith could get imaging done when the team returns to Los Angeles, but Roberts wasn’t overly concerned about the injury.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway