The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off commences tonight with a marquee matchup between Canada and Sweden at Montreal’s Bell Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Team Canada
Canada boasts a formidable lineup featuring forwards Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby, who has been cleared to play despite a recent arm injury. On defense, Cale Makar and Devon Toews are expected to play significant roles. Goaltending has been a topic of discussion, with Jordan Binnington named as the starter over Adin Hill.
Team Sweden
Sweden counters with a balanced lineup led by captain Victor Hedman, along with forwards William Nylander and Elias Pettersson. In goal, Filip Gustavsson has been selected to start, filling in for backup will be Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman.
Players to Watch
- Connor McDavid (Canada): The Edmonton Oilers captain is seen as the best player in the world right now tied 4th in the NHL with 71 points (22 goals, 49 assists) this season, showcasing his exceptional speed and playmaking abilities.
- Cale Makar (Canada): The reigning Norris Trophy winner has accumulated 57 points (22 goals, 41 assists) leading the NHL from the blue line, making him a dynamic offensive threat on top of his excellent defensive play..
- Elias Pettersson (Sweden): The Vancouver Canucks forward is tasked with the role of top line center. This season he has tallied 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists), he will look to lead team Sweden and bounce back from what’s been a rather upsetting season.
- Victor Hedman (Sweden): The veteran defenseman has contributed 44 points (8 goals, 36 assists) and provides a steadying presence on the back end. This will be his 9th major tournament suiting up for team Sweden.
By the Numbers
A snapshot of how the rosters stack up in terms of career NHL regular-season stats:
- Games Played: Canada (14,191), Sweden (13,743)
- Goals: Canada (4,028), Sweden (3,139)
- Assists: Canada (7,244), Sweden (5,602)
- Points: Canada (11,272), Sweden (8,741)
- Goaltender Wins: Canada (311), Sweden (269)
- Shutouts: Canada (31), Sweden (27)
Key Matchup
This game will be a battle of contrasting styles. Canada’s relentless offensive firepower against Sweden’s disciplined defensive structure.
- Canada’s Offensive Approach: With elite talents like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby, Canada thrives on speed, puck movement, and relentless forechecking. They excel at generating high-danger scoring chances off the rush, using their skill and creativity to break down defensive structures. Makar’s ability to activate from the blue line adds another dimension, making Canada’s attack one of the most dangerous in the tournament.
- Sweden’s Defensive Strategy: Sweden will counter with a patient, structured defensive approach led by Victor Hedman, one of the best shutdown defensemen in the world. Hedman, along with Rasmus Dahlin and Hampus Lindholm, will look to neutralize Canada’s speed by maintaining tight gap control and clogging passing lanes. Sweden’s defenders are mobile and positionally sound, excelling at limiting time and space for opposing forwards.
- Battle in Net: Goaltending could be the deciding factor. Jordan Binnington gets the start for Canada, and while he has experience in high-pressure situations, he’ll need to be sharp against Sweden’s opportunistic forwards. On the other side, Filip Gustavsson will look to hold strong against an aggressive Canadian attack, relying on his sound positioning and rebound control to keep the game tight.
- Faceoff Battle: Winning faceoffs will be crucial in dictating possession, particularly in special teams situations and late-game scenarios. Canada has a significant edge in this area with Sidney Crosby, who boasts a career NHL faceoff win percentage of 53.9%, and Nathan MacKinnon, who has steadily improved at the dot. Sweden, however, has strong two-way centermen in Elias Pettersson and Joel Eriksson Ek, the latter being particularly effective in defensive-zone draws with a faceoff win percentage of 52.1% this season. If Sweden can control faceoffs, they’ll have a better chance of dictating the pace and limiting Canada’s offensive zone time.
- Special Teams Factor: If Sweden finds themselves shorthanded, their penalty kill will be under immense pressure against Canada’s lethal power play. Conversely, if Sweden can draw penalties and create sustained zone time, their own power play, featuring Nylander and Zibanejad, could exploit any defensive lapses from Canada’s penalty kill unit.
Closing Thoughts
As the opening game of the tournament, both teams will be eager to set a positive tone and establish the pace early. With Canada’s elite offensive firepower and Sweden’s structured defensive approach, this matchup promises to be a high-intensity battle from start to finish. Special teams could play a critical role, as both squads possess dynamic power-play units capable of swinging momentum.
Beyond the immediate stakes, this game will also serve as a key measuring stick for both nations as they fine-tune their lineups and systems for the challenges ahead. A strong performance could provide a psychological edge in potential later-stage meetings, making every shift and every decision on the ice crucial.
For fans, this is a showcase of some of the best talent in the world, with future Hall of Famers and emerging superstars going head-to-head. Expect an electric atmosphere at the Bell Centre as these two storied hockey nations write another chapter in their long-standing rivalry.
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