The hockey world is buzzing with anticipation for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, scheduled for February 12-20. This tournament isn't just a standalone event; it marks a significant step toward a revitalized international hockey calendar.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman unveiled the tournament during the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, highlighting its role as a precursor to a broader World Cup strategy. The league envisions the 4 Nations event as a stepping stone to a full-fledged World Cup, signifying a renewed commitment to international competition.
Bettman outlined a future packed with international hockey action: the 2026 Olympics, a 2028 World Cup, the 2030 Olympics, and another World Cup in 2032. He described the 4 Nations Face-Off as an "appetizer" to this exciting main course, a chance for fans to savor top-tier hockey on a global stage.
This tournament signifies the return of best-on-best international hockey featuring NHL players, a format not seen since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Notably, the 4 Nations Face-Off will replace this year's All-Star Game.
Tournament Format
The tournament follows a round-robin format, with each team playing three games. Teams earn three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, and one point for an overtime or shootout loss. No points are awarded for a regulation loss. Overtime consists of a 10-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death period, followed by a three-round shootout if necessary. The top two teams advance to the championship game. Overtime in the final will be played under traditional 5-on-5 rules with consecutive 20-minute periods, mirroring the Stanley Cup Playoffs format.
Venue and Schedule
Games will be split between the Bell Centre in Montreal and the TD Garden in Boston. The tournament kicks off after two practice days on February 10-11. The schedule features doubleheaders at both venues, culminating in the championship game on February 20 at 8 p.m. ET.
Rosters
Each team's roster includes 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goaltenders. The rosters are stacked with NHL stars, representing the best talent from Canada, the United States, Finland, and Sweden. The full rosters for each team are available in the original article.
