Four Nations Cup 2025: NHL Face-Off Format, Rosters & Russia Ban Explained
What is the Four Nations Cup?
The Four Nations Cup refers to two distinct events
1.Women’s Four Nations Cup:
An annual women’s ice hockey tournament featuring Canada, the U.S., Sweden, and Finland. Established in 1996 as the 3 Nations Cup, it expanded to four teams in 2000 when Sweden joined. Canada dominates with 14 gold medals 11.
2.Men’s 4 Nations Face-Off:
A new NHL-led tournament in 2025, replacing the All-Star Game. It includes Canada, the U.S., Sweden, and Finland, with NHL stars competing in a best-on-best format 19.
Is There an NHL All-Star Game in 2025?
No. The NHL has replaced its 2025 All-Star Weekend with the 4 Nations Face-Off (Feb. 12–20, 2025). This marks the league’s return to international best-on-best hockey for the first time since the 2016 World Cup 112.
What is the Four Nations Championship Format?
The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off follows a round-robin format:
- Teams: Canada, U.S., Sweden, Finland (23 NHL players each) 9.
- Schedule: Each team plays three games.
- Points System:
3 points for a regulation win.
2 points for an overtime/shootout win.
1 point for an overtime/shootout loss.
- Final: Top two teams compete in a single-game championship (20-minute OT periods until a winner emerges) 49.
- Locations: Bell Centre (Montreal) and TD Garden (Boston) 214.
Why Isn’t Russia in the Four Nations Cup?
Russia’s exclusion stems from the IIHF’s ban due to the country’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Although the 4 Nations Face-Off is NHL-organized, the league upheld the IIHF’s sanctions, barring Russian stars like Nikita Kucherov and Artemi Panarin 112. This decision has sparked debate, with players calling it a missed opportunity for true best-on-best competition 35.
When Was the First Four Nations Game?
Women’s Tournament: The inaugural 3 Nations Cup occurred in 1996, with Canada, the U.S., and Finland. Sweden joined in 2000, rebranding it the Four Nations Cup 11.
Men’s 2025 Event: The first 4 Nations Face-Off begins on February 12, 2025, with Canada vs. Sweden in Montreal 414.
What is the Four Nations Break?
The Four Nations Break refers to the NHL’s 10-day pause (Feb. 12–20, 2025) to accommodate the tournament. While 80+ players compete, others enjoy a mid-season rest. Reactions are mixed:
- Pro-Tournament Players: See it as preparation for the 2026 Olympics 12.
- Critics: Non-participating players (e.g., Germany’s Leon Draisaitl) prefer resting for playoff pushes 35.
Key Controversies & Snubs
- Team Exclusions: Czechia, Germany, and Switzerland lack enough NHL players to field competitive rosters. David Pastrnak (Czechia) openly criticized the format 1213.
- Roster Snubs: U.S. omitted Cole Caufield (16 goals); Canada excluded Connor Bedard despite his star status 13.
- Goalie Concerns: Canada’s Jordan Binnington and Sweden’s Jacob Markstrom face scrutiny over inconsistent performances 14.
