Straight Arrow News
What was initially billed as a friendly international competition while the NHL took its mid-season break, The 4 Nations Face-Off has turned into an uber-intense, at times politically charged, ratings blockbuster. The tournament has raised hockey’s profile with casual fans.
Thursday night, Feb. 20, the U.S. and Canada will battle for the championship and the players can feel the intensity.
“It is a game seven. It’s a winner-take-all situation here and we know what’s at stake so ah, we know the intensity, the passion, the detail we have to play with,” Team USA captain Auston Matthews said.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
From the fantastic skating and goal scoring to the fisticuffs in the first game between the two rivals, the tournament has its share of drama.
The pride the players have shown playing for their flag is something that no one saw coming in an exhibition tournament.
“I think everyone’s been really excited to finally have games like this,” Canada’s captain Sidney Crosby said. “To see it up close and I think it’s been something probably even more, maybe, than people expected with the intensity and everything that’s been part of it.”
President Donald Trump weighed in Thursday morning on his Truth Social account. He said he will be watching the game from the Republican Governors Association conference and added, “If Governor Trudeau would like to join us, he would be most welcome.” Once again, suggesting Canada become the 51st U.S. state. Trump also called Team USA and wished them luck.
Who will have the advantage in the final? That’s tough to predict with teams that are so evenly matched, but the coaches were both asked Wednesday about what would help them claim victory. Team Canada has improved every step of the way, said head coach Jon Cooper.
“I thought we took a big step forward in the Finland game. Y’know if I was gonna break it down, I think the Sweden game we played 30 minutes, the U.S. game we played 40, the Finland game we played 50 and tomorrow night we gotta play 60. We do that, we’ll be ok,” Cooper said.
Learn more about our emails. Unsubscribe Anytime.
Daily Newsletter
Team USA has allowed just 4 goals in 3 games, and they shut down Canada in the first meeting. Head coach Mike Sullivan said without stalwart defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who’s out with an injury, others need to step up.
“I’ve been really impressed with our team’s commitment to playing away from the puck,” Sullivan said. “It’s such an important aspect of winning and I think these guys understand it. And so as talented as they are offensively, they’ve made a commitment to playing defense. I just think they understand what it takes to win”
Related Stories
[Chris]
It was billed as a friendly international competition while the NHL took their mid-season break. The 4 Nations Face-off has turned into an uber-intense, at times politically charged, ratings blockbuster that has raised hockey’s profile with casual fans.
Thursday night the US and Canada will battle for the championship and the players are all in.
“It is a game seven. It’s a winner take all situation here and we know what’s at stake so ah, we know the intensity, the passion, the detail we have to play with.”
From the fantastic skating and goal scoring to the fisticuffs in the first game between Team USA and Canada the tournament has had all the drama. The pride the players have shown playing for their flag is something that no one saw coming.
“I think everyone’s been really excited to finally have games like this. To see it up close and I think it’s been something probably even more, maybe, than people expected with the intensity and everything that’s been part of it.”
President Trump weighed in and has added fuel to this hockey fire since it began. On his Truth Social account Thursday morning he said he will be watching the game from the Republican Governors conference and also added “if Governor Trudeau would like to join us, he would be most welcome.” Once again, suggesting Canada become the 51st U.S. state. He also called Team USA and wished them luck.
So, the stakes are set, who has the advantage? Tough to predict with teams that are so evenly matched, but the coaches were both asked Wednesday what would help them claim victory. Team Canada has improved every step of the way.
“I thought we took a big step forward in the Finland game. Y’know if I was gonna break it down I think the Sweden game we played 30 minutes, the US game we played 40, the Finland game we played 50 and tomorrow night we gotta play 60. We do that, we’ll be ok”
Team USA has allowed just 4 goals in 3 games and they shut down Canada in the first meeting. Now, without stalwart defenseman Charlie McAvoy who’s out with an injury, others need to step up.
“I’ve been really impressed with our team’s commitment to playing away from the puck. It’s such an important aspect of winning and I think these guys understand it. And so as talented as they are offensively they’ve made a commitment to playing defense. I just think they understand what it takes to win”
Last but not least, it takes great goaltending. Connor Hellebuck of the US and Canada’s Jamie Binnington have been stellar between the pipes. Can’t wait to see who blinks first when they drop the puck at 8 p.m. eastern .
For Straight Arrow News, I’m Chris Francis.
Click on bars to see headlines
11 total sources
No summary available because of a lack of coverage.
Report an issue with this summary
4 Nations Face-Off final: Predictions, odds, channel for USA hockey vs. Canada
Canada vs. USA rematch: 4 Nations Face-Off final reignites great hockey rivalry
No summary available because of a lack of coverage.
Report an issue with this summary
US and Canada want to put the new Cold War on ice and play a 4 Nations hockey final for the ages
US and Canada want to put the new Cold War on ice and play a 4 Nations hockey final for the ages
US and Canada want to put the new Cold War on ice and play a 4 Nations hockey final for the ages
No summary available because of a lack of coverage.
Report an issue with this summary
Scintillating 4 Nations Face-Off has players yearning for more after tired All-Star games
2025 4 Nations Face-Off Final prediction, odds, line, time: Canada vs. USA hockey picks by expert on 13-6 roll
Canada Vs USA All-Time Record Hockey: Who Has More Wins Ahead Of 4 Nations Final?
Dylan Larkin is FIRED UP for U.S.-Canada Rematch in Four Nations Cup
Dylan Larkin & Team USA 'fired up' for rematch against Canada in 4 Nations final #Canadian #Canada #FirstNation #FirstNations #FirstNationsArt
Scintillating 4 Nations Face-Off has players yearning for more after tired All-Star games
Powered by Ground News™
According to media bias experts at AllSides.
Perfect reliability rating, according to experts at NewsGuard
Finally, unbiased news that lets you see both sides. It’s refreshing to have facts without the spin.”
This app gives me the news without pushing a political agenda, which is rare to find.”
Unbiased news.
Directly to your inbox. Free!
Terms and Conditions
|
Privacy Policy
|
Copyright Policy
|
Cookie Settings
|
Sitemap
©️ 2025 Straight Arrow News
Daily Newsletter
Learn more about our emails. Unsubscribe anytime.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
Hockey News