The much anticipated finale to the 4 Nations Face-Off best-on-best tournament between USA and Canada hockey came and went—and it all happened at TD Garden, the home of the Boston Bruins.
Canada was crowned the champion of the 4 Nations Face-Off in sport spectacle that exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Puck drop was at 8:00 p.m. ET as this all-new “all star break” tournament came to a close with the finale rematch between rivals USA and Canada on Thursday night after their riveting battle on Saturday night.
NHL’s best players were looking to secure the championship for their home country before returning home to the NHL regular season chaos.
The United States and Canada hockey met once again in a rivalry finale to the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday, Feb. 20. Read the game recap and highlights.
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Read the game recap, scores, and watch highlights below. Scroll down further for additional background information including rosters, scores for past games, and more details on the 4 Nations Face-Off.
After his four goals including the opening goal tonight against USA, Nathan MacKinnon was named the MVP of the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament.
In what was a very difficult game to find any space in for almost all 70 minutes of it, Connor McDavid was wide open and had enough time to get a shot off in front of the net to get the game-winner past Connor Hellebuyck high glove side and give Canada the win. Mitch Marner had the assist.
CONNOR MCDAVID WINS THE 4 NATIONS FOR CANADA IN OVERTIME 😱🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/7XIdlj4c75
The TD Garden is pulsing with energy as the audience attempts to will the puck into the net for the Americans. Shot attempts have already started flying.
Eichel made a great attempt but Binnington made an equally matched stop.
Marchand made his own breakaway run but wasn’t able to shake off the defense to get the shot off.
Binnington robbed Auston Matthews with his blocker off a deflection to the upper corner of the net.
Fans had not left their feet after more than 5 minutes of overtime.
Binnington made two more amazing stops on Auston Matthews and Brady Tkachuk. The face-off draw immediately resulted in another save for Binnington on Matthews.
UNREAL SAVE FROM BINNINGTON 😱#4Nations OVERTIME on ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ 🍿 pic.twitter.com/8M5810qs4d
“JOHNNY HOCKEY” 🗣️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qwbk4tVibc
Team Canada had a number of great chances as the clock ticked down in its final moments. Marner attempted to connect with McDavid—but barely missed the timing in front of the net. Hellebuyck was able to make a great save on Makar off the second chance.
After 60 minutes, here’s how the stats shake out:
Shots On Goal
Face Off %
Hits
Blocked Shots
Giveaways
J.T. Miller saves the day to preserve the tie! 😳
USA-Canada is headed to overtime for the #4nations Face-Off Championship 🍿 pic.twitter.com/spg4GiMupK
If this game goes to overtime, they’ll play full 20-minute periods of 5-on-5 hockey, just like the NHL playoff rules. They will be continuous until a goal is scored.
Hellebuyck had to freeze the puck after a string of great attempts and most intense pressure from Canada since the second period. Hellebuyck made a save on Parayko amidst the chaos.
With less than half of the third period remaining, both teams were still tied at two. Jake Guentzel had the best offensive chances of the period so far for the Americans, while Jaccob Slavin continued to make an outstanding showing. Guentzel took the game into a break with a breakaway chance, flipping the puck to himself into the crease before it was collected by the netminder.
Here’s a clip of Jaccob Slavin sacrificing his body earlier in the game to make a save.
JACCOB SLAVIN JUST SAVED A SURE GOAL 🤭
What else can you say about this guy?! He’s so, so underrated. #4Nations
🇺🇸: @espn & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/ScobZ2eaIg
The third period was off to a crazy start with a Makar shot hitting the post down in USA’s end. For the Americans’ Eichel and Guentzel have been putting the shots on to test Binnington and earn the go-ahead goal.
The clock has started ticking down on the final period and the last twenty minutes of regulation time in this rivalry is here.
Here are some stats from the first 40 minutes of play:
Shots On Goal
Face Off %
Hits
Blocked Shots
Giveaways
YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS THIRD PERIOD 👀 #4Nations Face-Off Championship | NOW | ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/YjELMKI2l3
Canada showed a bit of pace but struggled to connect chances throughout the period—an area which the USA struggled in as well. Defense has been strong on both ends and with USA’s Jaccob Slavin a clear standout.
Canada is -5 in goals during third periods in the 4 Nations tournament. USA is +5.
Brady Tkachuk and Jake Guentzel have the game-high 4 hits.
Brady Tkachuk is a human wrecking ball right now 🤯 #4Nations
🇺🇸: @espn & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/OvpqXfGjKB
It had been over 9 minutes between shifts for Matthew Tkachuk. Chris Kreider and Brad Marchand are the only other players with less time across both teams.
Brady Tkachuk isn’t letting up, though, as he threw down hit after hit including a big one against Doughty.
Sam Bennett scored the tying goal with help from Mitch Marner for a beauty elevated high over Connor Hellebuyck’s blocker side.
CANADA EQUALIZES VS. THE US 🇨🇦
THE #4NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP IS TIED ON ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ 👀 pic.twitter.com/xkpYhmn4ve
Trocheck was called for tripping Sam Bennett on a desperate reach in the Canadian zone.
Reinhart, Crosby, McDavid, Makar, and MacKinnon are on the power play unit for Canada. 1-3 on the power play in the 4 Nations.
McDavid made a turnover and Larkin combined with Miller to put a shorthanded chance on Binnington, who had to make the save.
The Americans’ forecheck started everything from the Tkachuks. 22 year old Jake Sanderson collected the rebound off of an attempt by Matthews that sailed past Binnington to give the red, white, and blue their first lead of the game.
TEAM USA TAKES THE LEAD VS. CANADA IN THE SECOND 🔥
📺 ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/7vJtdkzVxE
Less than a minute after a great chance for Canada, USA pushed back with Binnington making the save and keeping the score tied.
Just a moment later, Brady Tkachuk had some fun after the whistle with Toews, Jarvis, and Makar.
At 13:52, Harley and Guentzel got into it at the whistle as the temperature continued to rise throughout the second period.
Here’s another look at Brady’s goal from earlier.
THIS ANGLE OF BRADY TKACHUK’S GOAL 😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/MrVNWah25t
After taking a puck to the face, J.T. Miller hit the ice and slide slowly into the boards. It bounced up off the stick of Doughty. He looked okay and will return to play.
The ice is flipped and the teams are back on the ice for another twenty minutes of top shelf hockey.
“20 minutes of hockey. We got 40 minutes to go.” –Brady Tkachuk with @emilymkaplan
📺 ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/YsWZFYkw14
Although Canada put the pressure on early, USA rebounded after the goal and laid down some hits that brought the crowd’s energy back up.
Here are some quick stats from the 1st period:
Auston Matthews took the puck from Canada behind the net and wrapped it around to Brady Tkachuk’s stick in front of Binnington to find the back of the net and bring the score to a tie.
BRADY TKACHUK TIES IT UP FOR THE UNITED STATES 🇺🇸
IT HAD TO BE HIM 👏 pic.twitter.com/8Y0sFnod8R
This time, Bennett, Marchand, and Makar joined on the attack at Hellebuyck’s feet to try to force the puck through. He once again made the stop. A pattern has emerged.
Shots were even at 9 a piece.
After a bit of waffling back and forth, Larkin was able to break through the seam thanks to a pass from Boldy to put a shot on Binnington. There was a rebound but the goalie quickly covered.
Team USA had a special guest read the starting line for tonight’s game.
The starting line up from Charlie ❤️🇺🇸 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/nBR7jZCCAA
Seth Jarvis and Drew Doughty combined to put in a few shoves on the puck at Hellebuyck’s feet to force the puck in to give Canada a two-goal lead. He was able to keep it out and freeze the puck.
Canada has won 7-8 faceoffs tonight.
After scoring early, Canada kept the energy high with a follow-up that put Hellebuyck on his heels. Binnington froze a shot from Guentzel taking us into the first break with 12:38 remaining in the first.
Shots were equal at 4.
Sid is dialed in. 👀 #4Nations
🇺🇸: @espn & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/ANpYx5SozH
Nathan MacKinnon took the puck from Harley and after three strides to the center of the ice near the blue line, he was able to fling the puck through the traffic and past Connor Hellebuyck to open the scoring.
NATHAN MACKINNON OPENS THE SCORING! 🚨 #4Nations
🇺🇸: @espn & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/c2Mae8GUoF
And things are finally underway in Boston. As the puck made its way into Binnington for the first time of the night, there Brady Tkachuk started stirring the pot.
Jake Guentzel had the first good look of the night, slinging the puck wide as the first minute elapsed.
Josh Morrissey is scratched for Canada.
Sam Bennett earned the first shot for Canada on Hellebuyck.
Parayko had a chance on a breakaway with help from Mitch Marner but his shot was deflected by Sanderson.
Jordan Binnington will reenter the net wearing the Maple Leaf for Canada with Connor Hellebuyck starting for USA.
After a very entertaining two weeks of all-star hockey, TD Garden is full and all set to host the hockey rivalry of the year: USA vs Canada. USA enters as the slight favorite, but Canada will be looking for vengeance.
Here’s a nice little video that opened the broadcast from ESPN, mashing up highlight and locker room footage with Kurt Russell’s famed speech.
“Great moments are born from great opportunity.” 🗣️ This Miracle mashup could give you chills 🥶
📺 #4Nations Face-Off Championship | 8 PM ET | ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+
🏒 “Miracle” starring Kurt Russell now streaming on Disney+” pic.twitter.com/Z4ieLXToKj
it is ELECTRIC in here 🇺🇸⚡️ #4Nations pic.twitter.com/lPW7zhoVul
Before this final game of the #4Nations Face-off gets going…
We present to you Justin Hryckowian’s final score prediction (and who he thinks scores for the winning team 👀)
Hint: Ritzy’s from 🇨🇦@TexasStars #AHL #NHL #TXStars #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/NA0KBkFh19
Forwards
Defense
Goalies
Projected lineups for the #4Nations Championship Game 📝
🇺🇸: @espn & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/L4AAfJ5TjJ
Forwards
Defense
Goalies
One last look. 🇨🇦
Formation finale. 🇨🇦#4Nations pic.twitter.com/tHI48UPRhc
Canada and USA take the ice for the #4Nations championship game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IyItIEJlK1
It is LOUD in here and warmups haven’t even started yet 👀 #4Nations
🇺🇸: @espn & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/EgeyGPu1n8
The Point on ESPN reported that Quinn Hughes is not going to join USA tonight against Canada. Brett Pesce is expected to be available as a standby instead.
Team USA – Then vs Now
A few faces from #TeamUSA‘s Four Nations Face-off roster back before they were in the NHL 👀🤩#USHL #NCAA #4Nations #NHL pic.twitter.com/DXMh4Xeq6F
Only two are left standing in this Four Nations Face-Off—tonight will determine the lone champion and owner of the trophy for this incredible tournament.
Tonight’s the night. 🏆
📺: Canada vs. USA in the #4Nations Face-Off Championship Game TONIGHT at 8p ET on @espn, @ESPNPlus, @DisneyPlus, @Sportsnet and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/s74GD01iO4
Points
+/-
TOI/GP
Chris Peters and Cam Robinson discuss Sidney Crosby’s most recent return to the limelight during the 4 Nations Face-Off. Scroll down for the full episode.
Are “hero moments” still in store for Sidney Crosby with Team Canada? Could we see one tonight? 👀@chrismpeters and @Hockey_Robinson discuss this and more on the latest episode of Called Up: The Prospects Podcast sponsored by @WonderfulNuts
FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/1ul4MK1GPK… pic.twitter.com/6AdxvpvlhW
The U.S. and Canada have met many times in international events featuring NHL players dating back to the 1976 Canada Cup. Canada holds a significant edge in those meetings, but the gap between the two countries has never felt slimmer.
Read the full report from FloHockey contributor Chris Peters.
Saturday, February 15
Wednesday, February 12
Thursday, February 13
Saturday, February 15
Monday, February 17
RW-OTW-OTL-RL
It’s all USA-Canada on Called Up this week as Chris Peters checks in with Cam Robinson on the ground in Boston to preview the most anticipated hockey game in a decade. The two preview the 4 Nations Face-Off Final between North American rivals, look ahead to what’s next in best-on-best competition.
Will Quinn Hughes play? How much will Team USA miss Charlie McAvoy? Can Cale Makar make all the difference? Does Sidney Crosby have another iconic moment in him? All of those questions have answers.
Chris and Cam detail which team has the edge in forwards, defense and goaltending, plus an X-factor for each team.
Plus, your hosts look at the bigger picture and detail some ways to improve on the next go-around of best-on-best international hockey.
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In February 2024, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced at the NHL All-Star Game that the NHL would be modifying the all-star break for the 2025 season to an international tournament with the NHL’s best players from four of the world’s best hockey nations.
The intent of the tournament is to act as a stepping stone towards the NHL’s participation in the upcoming winter Olympics in 2026 and 2030—a change since players were not released to participate in 2018 and 2022.
The 4 Nations Face-Off is a round-robin tournament between four teams consisting of NHL players from each of the participating countries: United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland.
Each team will be made up of 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies and they will play games in accordance with NHL rules. They will play three games and earn points:
The two teams with the best record will move on to the final.
Games will be played in two venues across North America—starting with four games at the Bell Centre in Montreal between Feb. 12-15 and moving to TD Garden in Boston, MA for the last three games.
View the updated rosters for each of the four teams at the 4 Nations Face-Off below.
Forwards
Defensemen
Goalies
*Replacement for Alex Pietrangelo
**Replacement for Shea Theodore
Forwards:
Defensemen:
Goalies:
*Replacement for Quinn Hughes
**Hughes was added back to the roster on Feb. 18 to replace Charlie McAvoy due to injury.
Forwards:
Defensemen:
Goalies:
*Vaakanainen and Jokiharju are injury replacements for Miro Heiskanen and Jani Hakanpaa
*Matinpalo is an injury replacement for Rasmus Ristolainen
Forwards:
Defensemen:
Goalies:
*Rickard Rakell is an injury replacement for William Karlsson
*Samuel Ersson is an injury replacement for Jacob Markstrom
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