Last Updated on: 16th February 2025, 02:29 am
The 4 Nations Face-Off—a thrilling international hockey showcase featuring NHL stars from four countries—replaced this year’s NHL All-Star Game and returns to the spotlight this Saturday with a marquee matchup between Team USA and Team Canada. Both squads dominated their opening games, and a victory on Saturday would secure either team a spot in the tournament final. Catch the high-stakes action live on ABC.
Canada’s Gritty Start
Canada launched their tournament campaign Wednesday with a nail-biting, overtime victory against Sweden. The Swedish team pushed Canada to the brink in a back-and-forth battle, knotting the score at 3-3 to force extra time. But Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner sealed the deal, netting the sudden-death winner to claim a dramatic 4-3 triumph.
USA’s Commanding Debut
Meanwhile, the United States faced little resistance in Thursday’s opener, overpowering Finland 6-1. After a deadlocked first period, Team USA unleashed an offensive onslaught, overwhelming their Finnish counterparts with five unanswered goals.
How to Watch USA vs. Canada
- Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
- Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal
- TV Channels: ABC (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada)
- Broadcasts : SteadyFlix
Fans worldwide can also use VPN services like ExpressVPN or NordVPN to access regional broadcasts if traveling .
Game Preview: A Rivalry Renewed
Team USA’s Dominant Start
The Americans opened the tournament with a commanding 6-1 victory over Finland, led by Matthew Tkachuk’s two goals and an assist. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck rebounded after an early goal, stopping 19 shots to secure the win.
Canada’s Gritty OT Win
Canada edged Sweden 4-3 in overtime, fueled by Sidney Crosby’s three assists, including the setup for Mitch Marner’s game-winner. Jordan Binnington made 23 saves but faced criticism for a shaky third period.
Key Matchup: Physicality vs. Skill
- USA’s Edge: The Tkachuk brothers and Jack Eichel anchor a physical, forecheck-heavy style designed to disrupt Canada’s flow.
- Canada’s Response: With Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Crosby leading a skill-driven offense, Canada counters with speed and precision. Sam Bennett’s insertion adds grit to balance the lineup.
Goaltending Duel
- USA: Connor Hellebuyck starts after his strong performance against Finland.
- Canada: Jordan Binnington gets the nod despite uneven play, needing a bounce-back game.
4 Nations Face-Off Standings
| Team | Points | Record (W-OTW-L-OTL) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 3 | 1-0-0-0 | |
| Canada | 2 | 0-1-0-0 | |
| Finland | 2 | 0-1-1-0 | |
| Sweden | 2 | 0-0-0-2 |
A win tonight could secure a spot in the February 20 championship for either team, while a loss leaves the door open for Finland or Sweden 113.
Projected Lineups
Team USA
- Forwards: Matthews, Hughes, Tkachuk brothers
- Defense: Slavin, Fox, McAvoy
- Goalie: Hellebuyck 12
Team Canada
- Forwards: McDavid, Crosby, MacKinnon, Marner
- Defense: Makar, Doughty, Toews
- Goalie: Binnington 12
What’s Next?
The winner of this game gains a critical advantage in the standings, while the loser faces must-win scenarios in their final round-robin matches:
- Monday, Feb. 17: Canada vs. Finland, Sweden vs. USA
- Championship Final: Thursday, Feb. 20 at TD Garden, Boston
This clash isn’t just a game—it’s a battle for hockey supremacy. Tune in to witness legends like Crosby and McDavid face off against rising stars like Matthews and Hughes in a game that could define the tournament.
