It is no mystery that the MLB, NFL and NBA are struggling to get fans excited about their All–Star festivities. With slower-paced games, lack of star power and an overall absence of excitement from the players, All–Star games are not what they used to be. Hockey, however, is taking a new approach.
For the first time in hockey history, the NHL is hosting the Four Nations Faceoff, a round-robin tournament with the best players from the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden. Unlike the Winter Olympics, this tournament takes place during the halfway break for the NHL, allowing the league’s best talent to participate.
Similar to other leagues, hockey fans were highly underwhelmed by the slow–paced All–Star games year after year. Players often choose to not play as hard or do not play at all in order to avoid injury. No superstar has the incentive to go all out for an All–Star game and miss out on the playoffs due to a torn ACL.
But, something about playing for one’s home country, alongside the best talent in the world and coached by the best leaders in the NHL gets these hockey superstars fired up.
The tournament began on Feb. 12 and was kicked off by Canada picking up an exciting 3-2 overtime win against Sweden. On the following night, Finland held the U.S. to a one-goal hockey game through two periods, only for the Americans to close out the game with a 6–1 final score. Finland came back on Saturday to pick up a win against Sweden 4–3, but the obvious highlight of the tournament was the Canada-U.S. matchup on Saturday.
For the first time in hockey history, the NHL is hosting the Four Nations Faceoff, a round-robin tournament with the best players from the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden. Unlike the Winter Olympics, this tournament takes place during the halfway break for the NHL, allowing the league’s best talent to participate.
Similar to other leagues, hockey fans were highly underwhelmed by the slow–paced All–Star games year after year. Players often choose to not play as hard or do not play at all in order to avoid injury. No superstar has the incentive to go all out for an All–Star game and miss out on the playoffs due to a torn ACL.
But, something about playing for one’s home country, alongside the best talent in the world and coached by the best leaders in the NHL gets these hockey superstars fired up.
The tournament began on Feb. 12 and was kicked off by Canada picking up an exciting 3-2 overtime win against Sweden. On the following night, Finland held the U.S. to a one-goal hockey game through two periods, only for the Americans to close out the game with a 6–1 final score. Finland came back on Saturday to pick up a win against Sweden 4–3, but the obvious highlight of the tournament was the Canada-U.S. matchup on Saturday.
The game was played in Montreal, Canada, and saw Canadian fans booing the American national anthem. This has been a recurring problem during the NHL regular season in response to the U.S. government’s tariffs on Canada. Enough was enough for the American squad as they did not take kindly to the fan outcry. Immediately after the faceoff, U.S. forward Matthew Tkachuk dropped his gloves with Canadian forward Brandon Hagel and sent a message to the Canadian bench. On the proceeding faceoff, Matthew’s brother, Brady, followed the example and pummeled center Sam Bennett.
“You know what? I think it just happened pretty organically… Right when we found out the starting lineup, he said he (Matthew Tkachuk) wanted a piece of (Hagel) and then I coordinated with (Bennett),” Tkachuk said.
With the tone now set, the packed Montreal crowd was treated to one of the best hockey games in the past ten years. Canada scored first off a goal from forward Connor McDavid, but the U.S. had the last laugh after putting up three unanswered goals and soaring away with the win.
Hockey fans around the world are buzzing about the high energy, heavy hits and speed of the game being played at the four nations. Although the four countries have representation in the Olympics, something about the Four Nations Faceoff is different. Players play for pride and go all out every shift on the ice.
With the tone now set, the packed Montreal crowd was treated to one of the best hockey games in the past ten years. Canada scored first off a goal from forward Connor McDavid, but the U.S. had the last laugh after putting up three unanswered goals and soaring away with the win.
Hockey fans around the world are buzzing about the high energy, heavy hits and speed of the game being played at the four nations. Although the four countries have representation in the Olympics, something about the Four Nations Faceoff is different. Players play for pride and go all out every shift on the ice.
The Canada-U.S. matchup averaged 4.4 million viewers according to initial Nielsen national TV data, the most watched hockey game outside of the Stanley Cup since 2019. The USA-Finland and the Canada-Sweden matchups also averaged 4.1 million and 3.4 million viewers, respectively.
Essentially, the Four Nations Faceoff is better than any All–Star game, pro–bowl game or skills competition. Did the NHL just surpass the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity? Probably not. But they have found a unique way to add competitiveness to their “All–Star” break.
The United States has already clinched a spot in the championship and Canada beat Finland 5-3 Monday to set up a rivalry rematch in the championship game. The finale will be played at 5 p.m Thursday.
Essentially, the Four Nations Faceoff is better than any All–Star game, pro–bowl game or skills competition. Did the NHL just surpass the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity? Probably not. But they have found a unique way to add competitiveness to their “All–Star” break.
The United States has already clinched a spot in the championship and Canada beat Finland 5-3 Monday to set up a rivalry rematch in the championship game. The finale will be played at 5 p.m Thursday.
