The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off is an international ice hockey tournament. It is scheduled for February 12–20, 2025, in Montreal (Bell Centre) and Boston (TD Garden). It features NHL players representing Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States in a round-robin format, with a final game between the top two teams. The event temporarily replaces the 2025 NHL All-Star Game.
The tournament was announced by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. It marks a return to international play for NHL players, who will also participate in the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics. Future World Cups of Hockey are planned for 2028 and 2032.
4 Nations Face-Off Team Captains
According to The Hockey News, the 4 Nations Face-Off team captains are Sidney Crosby for Canada, Aleksander Barkov for Finland, Victor Hedman for Sweden, and Matthew Tkachuk for the United States. The event will take place from February 12-20, 2025, in Montreal and Boston.
Auston Matthews will captain Team USA, with Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy serving as assistant captains. Team Sweden will be led by Victor Hedman, supported by William Nylander, Mattias Ekholm, and Erik Karlsson as assistant captains. Aleksander Barkov will captain Team Finland, with Mikael Granlund, Sebastian Aho, and Mikko Rantanen as his assistant captains. For Team Canada, Sidney Crosby will again wear the “C.” Connor McDavid and Cale Makar will serve as his assistant captains.
The tournament favorites are the United States at +150 odds, followed closely by Canada at +160. Sweden and Finland are underdogs, with odds of +410 and +850, respectively. Starting goaltenders are heavily favored to be Connor Hellebuyck for the U.S., Jordan Binnington for Canada, Filip Gustavsson for Sweden, and Juuse Saros for Finland.
4 Nations Face-Off USA Captain
According to USA Hockey, Auston Matthews has been named captain of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Matthews, currently the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is known as one of the NHL’s top goal scorers since his debut in 2016-17. Supporting him as alternate captains are Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers and Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins.
Matthews, Tkachuk, and McAvoy have previously played together for Team USA, winning gold at the 2015 IIHF U18 World Championship and bronze at the 2016 World Juniors. Matthews also contributed to the U.S. gold medal win at the 2014 U18 World Championship. Team USA’s first game is on February 13 against Finland in Montreal.
4 Nations Face-Off Canada Captain
According to Sportsnet, Sidney Crosby will captain Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. This will be the fourth time Crosby serves as captain for Canada in a major tournament, having previously led the team to gold at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar will be assistant captains.
Crosby, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Hart Trophy winner, continues to make history in his 20th NHL season, recently surpassing 600 career goals. Canada will face teams from the U.S., Finland, and Sweden in this best-on-best competition.
4 Nations Face-Off Finland Captain
According to the official website of the NHL, Aleksander Barkov has been named captain of Team Finland for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The event runs from February 12 to 20, 2025, in Montreal and Boston.
Barkov called it a "huge honor" and looks forward to leading Finland. The 29-year-old Florida Panthers captain made history last year as the first Finnish captain to win the Stanley Cup. Joining him as assistant captains are Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, and Mikael Granlund. Finland will play its opening game against the United States on February 13.
4 Nations Face-Off Sweden Captain
According to Sportsnet, Victor Hedman has been named captain of Team Sweden for the 4 Nations Face-Off, with Mattias Ekholm, Erik Karlsson, and William Nylander serving as assistant captains.
Hedman is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and Norris Trophy winner. Ekholm, who plays for the Edmonton Oilers, Karlsson, a three-time Norris winner, and Nylander, who has scored over 40 goals in consecutive seasons, will help lead the team. The tournament, featuring Finland, Sweden, Canada, and the United States, runs from February 12 to 20, 2025, in Montreal and Boston.
FAQs on 4 Nations Face-Off Team Captains
A. The tournament will be hosted by Canada and the United States from February 12 to February 20, 2025.
A. Four teams will participate: Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland.
A. The Four Nations tournament follows a round-robin format where each team competes against the others.
A. The tournament will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston.
A. The tournament will take place from February 12 to February 20, 2025.
