NHL Four Nations Faceoff Preview

By: Eitan Mirel

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10140740-ranking-every-four-nations-face-off-jersey

International hockey is back, baby! After over a decade since the last time we saw best on best international hockey we will finally see our first hint of a return to action with the NHL Four Nation Faceoff coming to Montreal and of course, Boston, will take place in February 2025. All of this building up to the NHL’s return to the Milan Olympics in 2026. The four participating countries, Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland will compete to crown a champion. Who will take home gold and how will each country fare? We will take an early look.

For Canada, this has been years in the making. For the first time ever we will get to witness Sidney Crosby play alongside both star forwards Nathan Mackinnon and NHL legend Connor McDavid. Maybe the most skilled line in the history of hockey, Canada’s first line will be one for the ages. Not to forget about 2014 Olympic team veterans Crosby and Marchand reuniting maybe for one last time. On defense, Canada doesn’t disappoint either led by generational defensemen Cale Makar, and his fellow Avalanche D-partner Devon Toews. In net, is where for Canada things get a little fuzzy with the below average trio of Binnington, Montemault, and Hill not giving much to be excited about. Hopefully Canada can outscore their goaltending issues, and they certainly should be able to with the loaded star power they have up front.

The United States will be represented by sharpshooter and goal scorer Auston Matthews up front, and some skilled playmakers like Jack Eichel and Jack Hughes. Hughes will play alongside his brother Quinn, an incredible skating defensemen who will lead the United State’s blue line. The roster is complemented by a veteran presence from players like Chris Kreider and some grit from the other pair of brothers on the team, the Tkachuk. In net the US shines with Hellebuyck the likely starter and Vezina winner with Swayman and Oettinger behind him, not too bad. Bruins fans watching the United States from TD Garden will also get to see star defender Charlie McAvoy play alongside Swayman. The United States, possibly the most well rounded team in the tournament, will certainly make a competitive run for gold.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10140740-ranking-every-four-nations-face-off-jersey

The Swedish won’t go down easy either with an incredible defensive lineup composed of Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin and Gustav Forsling. In net Linus Ullmark and Jacob Markstrom will fight it out as two lockdown tenders. Sweden will be all skill upfront with Nylander and Petterson showing some nifty hands.

For Finland they will have tough hills to climb but they will have some incredible leaders and two way centers to lead the way like Sebastian Aho and Alexander Barkov, whereas Mikko Rantanen and Patrik Laine will certainly be putting many pucks in the back of the net. Juuse Saros will get the reins in net to represent his country, and my underdog pick as champions.

It's important to note that it's hard to truly call this a ‘best on best tournament’, with the omitting of hockey powerhouses like Czechia, and Russia from the IIHF due to their ongoing war. We will not witness David Pastrnak for Czechia or the Russian machine with Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, Artemi Panarin, Evgeni Malkin and Igor Shesterkin, and Andrei Vasilekvyk. This Russian team is no-joke, and it is certainly a massive disappointment to not get to see them play.

No matter what however, the cities of Montreal and Boston are going to get to watch greatness unfold this President’s Day Weekend when we will finally get the much anticipated return of players fighting once again for their countries, the Lion, the Crowns, the Star and Stripes, and the Maple Leaf will take center stage.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/42755874/nhl-4-nations-faceoff-schedule-rosters-how-watch-news-broadcast-information

https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nhl/boston-bruins/4-nations-faceoff-preview-prediction-usa-canada/687416/