The inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament brings together hockey’s elite nations for the first best-on-best competition in eight years. Here’s how each team could triumph or falter in the eight-day event.
Canada
Canada’s roster features Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar – arguably the tournament’s top four players. Their presence on ice for most of the event gives Canada a distinct advantage.
Goaltending remains Canada’s primary concern. The team faces criticism for its netminder selections of Adin Hill, Jordan Binnington, and Samuel Montembeault, while Vezina Trophy candidate Logan Thompson wasn’t selected.
Makar’s ice time and power-play quarterbacking will be crucial to Canada’s success. He’ll initiate most offensive plays from the blue line.
Finland
Finland’s trademark defensive system faces its biggest test without Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Jani Hakanpaa. Esa Lindell now leads a depleted defensive corps.
The Finns’ forward group includes Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, and Mikko Rantanen. Patrik Laine‘s shooting ability could be the difference-maker, especially on the power play.
Sweden
Sweden’s defense features Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin, Gustav Forsling, and Mattias Ekholm. Their forward group includes William Nylander, Jesper Bratt, and Lucas Raymond.
Center depth could be problematic. Elias Pettersson, Mika Zibanejad, Elias Lindholm, and Joel Eriksson Ek face tough matchups against deeper opponents.
Sweden opens against Canada in Montreal before facing Finland.
United States
Team USA enters as tournament favorites with balanced scoring, mobile defense, and the world’s top goaltender.
Auston Matthews captains the squad, while Jack Eichel arrives amid his strongest NHL season. The roster includes emerging stars Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, plus Quinn and Jack Hughes.
Coach Mike Sullivan‘s team emphasizes speed and skill over the physical style that failed at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
This tournament could mark the beginning of USA Hockey’s golden era, with most key players entering their prime years.
