For the fans, the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff is the first opportunity to watch a best-on-best tournament since Canada won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, Canada.
It’s been nine seasons since the best NHL players went head-to-head, competing for their countries. However, the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff doesn’t miss. The NHL invites a refreshing take on what replaced the all-star weekend.
Canada opened the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff versus Sweden. Then, the United States routed Finland. In North America, 4.1mil people watched. NHL Public Relations reported a 64% increase from the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. That’s evidence of reported growth while reminding us the sport is a niche.
Then, on Saturday, Finland toppled Sweden in overtime, and the United States cleared Canada in another heated rivalry. The 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff is introducing hockey to a broader audience. They’re witnessing peak performance on blades and ice. The playmaking is crisp, the pace is fast, scoring doesn’t come at a premium, and the heightened drama should keep viewership as the tournament moves to Boston.
Each country competed. Here’s how the Philadelphia Flyers (24-26-7) looked in Montréal to begin the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff.
Travis Konecny
Travis Konecny (Canada) battled Sweden on Wednesday. He rolled on the fourth line with Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli. Konecny competed for 10:20, was a -2, tallied three hits, and turned the puck over. Canada won in overtime, 4-3.
Yesterday, Konecny did not compete when Canada battled the United States.
Canada versus the United States would’ve been the perfect contest for Konecny. It was a chippy affair from the onset. Perhaps he will return to the lineup tomorrow in Boston.
Travis Sanheim
Travis Sanheim (Canada) did face the United States yesterday. He jumped to the top pair with Devon Toews. Sanheim competed for 15:14, was a -1, and took a shot on goal. He played a relatively clean game but was on the ice for the fewest minutes of any defenseman for Canada. Dylan Larkin and JT Miller trapped Sanheim in a two-on-one where Jordan Binnington didn’t make the save on Larkin.
Sanheim took over for Shea Theodore. Theodore sustained an injury in the second period when Canada defeated Sweden.
Tomorrow, Sanheim will likely remain in the lineup when Canada battles Finland.
Sam Ersson
Sam Ersson (Sweden) has yet to start between the posts.
Filip Gustavsson left the first period versus Finland with an illness. Linus Ullmark finished the overtime loss. Gustavsson and Ullmark own an overtime loss decision in the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff.
Ersson replaced Jacob Markström on Sweden. He could be in the lineup tomorrow versus the United States if Gustavsson is out.
Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Ristolainen (Finland) hasn’t and won’t play in the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff. He’s recovering from an upper-body injury.
John Tortorella
John Tortorella (United States) has a place in the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff championship game.
The United States is favored to win the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff. They’re the only country to win by more than a one-goal margin throughout the tournament.
Yesterday, Tortorella had his fingerprints all over the game plan. The United States benefited from the fights, physicality, blocking of shots, and clogging the middle of the defensive zone.
One more nugget regarding Tortorella is his history with Zach Werenski. Formerly, Tortorella coached Werenski on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Now, Werenski is tied for the points lead with Jake Guentzel at the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Faceoff.
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