It’s been over eight years since professional players last competed in an international best-on-best hockey tournament, with the 2016 World Cup of Hockey marking the last time we saw this high-level of play. Now, the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off is bringing that excitement back, and it all kicks off with Canada facing Sweden in the round-robin on Wednesday.
In this highly anticipated tournament, each team will square off against the other three nations once, with the top two in the standings advancing to the final on Thursday, February 20th. The first four games will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, followed by the final three at TD Garden in Boston.
The standings will be based on points, with 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an overtime or shootout win, 1 point for an overtime or shootout loss, and 0 points for a regulation loss.
The Colorado Avalanche will have a strong presence at the tournament, with Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews representing Canada, while Artturi Lehkonen will play for Finland. All four players are thrilled about the return of best-on-best hockey and the chance to represent their countries on the world stage.
Lehkonen shared his excitement: “It’s the first time in a long time that the best are playing against the best. It’s gonna be a lot of fun.” Toews, joined by his teammates, is looking forward to the camaraderie and familiarity of playing alongside friends, calling it special to continue his journey with two of the world’s best players for Canada.
MacKinnon, who played in the 2016 World Cup with Team North America, is eager for his first opportunity to represent Canada in a best-on-best setting. “It’s great,” he said. “Canada is home in the summers, and I’m proud to be Canadian. The maple leaf means a lot to me.”
As the NHL’s leader in points and assists, MacKinnon is eager to connect with new teammates and make the most of this special experience. Meanwhile, Makar, the NHL’s leading defenseman in goals and points, will wear the ‘A’ as one of Canada’s assistant captains. Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar praised Makar’s leadership qualities, highlighting his quiet strength and ability to lead by example.
Makar, who fondly recalls watching iconic moments like Sidney Crosby’s golden goal in 2010 and Jordan Eberle’s clutch World Juniors goal in 2009, is excited about playing for Canada. “There’s going to be a lot of speed and good playmaking,” he said, looking forward to his role on Team Canada.
Makar also hinted at one key player he’s excited to face his Avalanche teammate, Mikko Rantanen, now on Finland’s roster. “That’s probably a good one,” he smiled, anticipating the challenge.
With so many stars competing for their countries, this 4 Nations Face-Off promises to deliver unforgettable moments and world-class hockey.
