- What: NHL 4 Nations Face-Off
- When: February 12-20, 2025
- Where: TD Garden, Boston; Bell Centre, Montreal
The world's best hockey players will be going head-to-head in international competition for the first time since the 2014 Olympics when the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament gets underway on Wednesday, February 12.
The top NHL players will be representing Canada, the USA, Sweden and Finland in the nine-day tournament. Round-robin play will be followed by the tournament championship game on Thursday, February 20. Games will be held at Boston's TD Garden and Montreal's Bell Center.
Oddsmakers are torn between Canada and the USA when it comes to backing a tournament favorite. Both Bovada (+150) and Betonline (+140) like the Canadians in the betting odds. However, BetUS is going with the USA as the +160 chalk in the betting line on outrights for the tournament.
Let's look at the latest NHL 4 Nations Face-Off betting lines. Remember, the odds are always subject to change.
Sweden is set with a betting line of +450. Finland is the longest shot on the board, with odds as long as +900 at some online sports betting sites.
Best NHL Picks For You
Before we launch a deeper dive into the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off picks and best bets, why not take a look at our handy NHL betting guide to see where the best NHL betting odds and picks are located, including the latest props and futures wagering. As well, these online sportsbook reviews will also aid in helping you decipher which betting site is the one that's going to service your NHL betting needs on a comprehensive basis. And if you're someone who is living life on the move, these are the best sports betting apps that can help you get your NHL bets down in the midst of your busy day.
Is Canada vs USA Final Inevitable?
Canada and the USA have met in the final of four best on best hockey tournaments. At the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, the USA beat Canada 2-1 in a best-of-three final series.
The other three meetings all went Canada's way. The Canadians beat the Americans in the 1991 Canada Cup final. Canada was also victorious over the USA in the gold-medal games at the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Let's assess the top contenders for the 4 Nations Face-Off title:
Canada
Despite missing some action prior to the tourney with an injury, veteran captain Sidney Crosby is suiting up for Canada. He scored the OT winner that beat the USA for gold at the 2010 Winter Olympiad.
Nathan MacKinnon is the NHL's leading scorer, with Connor McDavid (fourth) and Mitch Marner (fifth) also among the top five. However, none of Canada's goalies rank among the NHL's top 10 stoppers.
USA
The Americans suffered a blow leading up to the tournament when an oblique injury was forcing Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Quinn Hughes to take a pass on the event. His spot was taken by Jake Sanderson of the Ottawa Senators.
No matter. The USA is still loaded with star power from top to bottom. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck is leading the NHL in wins (34) and save percentage (.925). He's also the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. In Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel and Jack Hughes, the USA suits up three of the top 10 scorers in the NHL.
Sweden
Injuries are hampering the Swedes. Goalie Jacob Markstrom (knee) is out, while goalie Linus Ullmark (back) is just returning to action.
Jesper Bratt and Lucas Raymond will key the Swedish attack. Veteran Victor Hedman anchors a solid defensive corps.
Finland
Often overlooked, the Finns are a gritty bunch who show up for every game and never go down without putting up a fight. Take Finland lightly at your own peril.
Mikko Rantanen is ninth in NHL scoring, but then you drop all the way to 30th to find the next Finn, Sebastian Aho. However, top defenseman Miro Heiskanen (knee surgery) is out.
Best 4 Nations Prop Bets
Six is the +225 favorite in a Canada exact round-robin points prop at Betonline. In a round-robin head to head points prop, Canada (+105) is slightly favored to finish with more points than the USA (+115).
Bovada is offering prop wagers on the top goal scorer, point scorer and MVP of the tournament. Canada's Connor McDavid is the +750 betting choice to finish the tournament with the most points. Auston Matthews of the USA is the +900 chalk to wind up as the leading goal scorer in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The best hockey players in the WORLD will meet on the same ice 🥶
THE 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF IS COMING ON ESPN! 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇸🇪🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/gdcSyj6yUq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 4, 2025
Canadians McDavid (+700) and Nathan MacKinnon (+900) are 1-2 in the betting line to win tournament MVP honors. Mikko Rantanen (+400) is the top betting pick to finish as Finland's leading goal scorer. William Nylander (+450) is the chalk to wind up as top scorer for Sweden.
Canada is the +250 betting choice to go unbeaten in round-robin play.
4 Nations Face-Off NHL Pick
Quite simply, the USA is due. The country hasn't won a major hockey title in NHL best on best competition since the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.
While both Canada and the USA are loaded with talent, the one decisive edge that goes to the Americans is at the most important postion on the ice. In a short tournament like this, a hot goaltender can carry a team to a title. And in Hellebuyck, the USA has the NHL's best goalie right now. Take the USA to win the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off.
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