NHL Players Return to International Competition in 4 Nations Face-Off
After an eight-year hiatus from the Olympics and international best-on-best tournaments, NHL players will don their national team jerseys once again this month in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The tournament will serve as a warm-up for the 2026 Olympics, where NHL players will represent their countries for the first time since 2014.
Tournament Details
- Dates: Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Thursday, Feb. 20, 2023
- Locations: Bell Centre (Montreal, QC), TD Garden (Boston, MA)
- Teams: United States, Canada, Finland, Sweden
- Format: Round robin followed by championship game
- Broadcast: TNT, ESPN, ABC
Round Robin Schedule
Teams will play one game against each other during the round-robin portion of the tournament.
| Date | Time | Matchup | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 12 | 7:30 PM | Finland vs. Sweden | Bell Centre |
| Feb. 13 | 7:30 PM | Canada vs. United States | Bell Centre |
| Feb. 16 | 7:00 PM | Finland vs. United States | TD Garden |
| Feb. 17 | 7:30 PM | Canada vs. Sweden | TD Garden |
| Feb. 18 | 7:00 PM | United States vs. Sweden | TD Garden |
| Feb. 19 | 7:30 PM | Finland vs. Canada | TD Garden |
Championship Game
The two teams with the best records in the round robin will face off in the championship game.
| Date | Time | Matchup | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 20 | 7:30 PM | TBD vs. TBD | TD Garden |
Tournament Rules
Games will be played under NHL rules, with a few exceptions:
- Overtime in the round robin will be 10 minutes of 3-on-3 sudden death, instead of the NHL’s 5 minutes.
- If the game is still tied after overtime, it will go to a shootout.
- Overtime in the championship game will be like NHL playoff overtime: 5-on-5 hockey for 20-minute periods until a goal is scored.
Rosters
Rosters will be announced on Monday evening and will feature NHL players from each of the participating countries.
Significance of the Tournament
The 4 Nations Face-Off is a significant event for several reasons:
- It marks the return of NHL players to international competition after an extended absence.
- It serves as a warmup for the 2026 Olympics, where NHL participation will resume.
- It provides an opportunity for players to represent their countries and showcase their skills on a global stage.
Quotes from Players and Organizers
"It’s been a while," said Toronto Maple Leafs and Team USA captain Auston Matthews. "It’s something that the players have been craving and looking forward to and the fans as well. I think it will be great for the game."
"We’re very excited to bring the NHL to these cities," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. "We hope that this tournament will further grow the game of hockey in the United States."
