The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off continues tonight with a compelling matchup between the United States and Finland at Montreal’s Bell Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

 

Team USA

The Americans bring a fast paced, high tempo style led by superstars Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and Matthew Tkachuk. Their defensive core is anchored by Charlie McAvoy and Adam Fox, two elite puck moving defensemen. In goal, Connor Hellebuyck has been named the starter, with Jake Oettinger serving as backup in tonight’s matchup.

 

Team Finland

Finland counters with a structured, disciplined lineup, relying on a mix of youth and experience. Their offense is spearheaded by Mikko Rantanen and Aleksander Barkov, while Nikko Mikkola and Esa Lindell lead a mobile and responsible blue line that can play a physical game. Between the pipes, Juuse Saros gets the start, giving Finland a reliable last line of defense. Kevin Lankinen will back him up on the bench.

 

Players to Watch

Auston Matthews (USA): The Toronto Maple Leafs star is one of the most elite goalscorers in today’s game, with 20 goals in 40 games this season. He will be a constant scoring threat with Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughes as his wingers.
Charlie McAvoy (USA): The Bruins defenseman has 23 points (7 goals, 16 assists) this season and will play a crucial role in shutting down Finland’s top forwards. McAvoy’s not considered as a player that will be contributing offensively but the team will rely on his structured play to hold down the blueline with sturdy defence.
Mikko Rantanen (Finland): The newly acquired Carolina Hurricanes winger has registered 66 points (26 goals, 40 assists) and is a powerful presence in Finland’s top six. Look for Rantanen to be deployed on any man advantage or within critical moments of the game.
Juuse Saros (Finland): Saros has been one of the NHL’s most reliable goalies in the past few seasons, boasting a career .915 save percentage and a 2.66 GAA. This season he’s struggled but that is a result of overall team success in Nashville. If Finland pulls off a win, he’ll likely be the difference maker.

 

By the Numbers

A snapshot of how the rosters stack up in terms of career NHL regular-season stats:

Games Played: USA (12,411), Finland (10,671)

Goals: USA (3,489), Finland (2,262)

Assists: USA (5,213), Finland (3,531)

Points: USA (8,702), Finland (5,793)

Goaltender Wins: USA (545), Finland (322)

Shutouts: USA (69), Finland (41)

 

Key Matchup

This game will be a clash between USA’s high powered offense and Finland’s methodical, defensive approach.

USA’s Offensive Firepower: The Americans thrive on quick transitions and long term offensive zone possession. With elite playmakers and goalscorers like Eichel, Tkachuk, Matthews, Hughes the U.S. will aim to overwhelm Finland with speed and high danger scoring chances.

Finland’s Defensive Discipline: Finland plays a tight, structured game. Leading their defence is Niko Mikkola and Esa Lindell, their defense excels at forcing opponents to the perimeter and limiting the high quality opportunities generated by their opponents. Their forwards, especially Barkov, bring a strong two way game capable of shutting down top level competition.

Goaltending Duel: Hellebuyck vs. Saros could be a game defining battle. Hellebuyck has a .925 save percentage this season and is known for his ability to steal games. Saros, meanwhile, has a track record of standing tall under pressure. Whoever makes the key saves will give their team the edge.

Faceoff Advantage: Barkov (59.4% faceoff win rate), J.T Miller (58.2%) and Auston Matthews (56.9%) give each of their respective teams a fighting edge in tonight’s matchup on the dot. Winning key faceoffs could dictate possession and momentum over the course of 60 minutes, these facoffs will be especially on special teams.

Special Teams Impact: Team USA’s power play, featuring Eichel and Fox, has the potential to be extremely lethal. Both units for the Americans are composed of the best playmakers and goalscorers the NHL has to offer. Finland, however, has one of the most disciplined penalty kill units in the tournament featuring star centerman Aleksander Barkov. If the U.S. capitalizes on the man advantage, it could be the difference maker down the line and if the Finnish team can capitalize on the man advantage it could sway the tides of this game.

 

Closing Thoughts

Both teams enter this game with a strong desire to establish themselves as tournament contenders after the overtime game we saw last night. USA’s offensive explosiveness will be tested against Finland’s structured defensive play. The outcome may hinge on goaltending and special teams execution, making every shift critical, similar to last night.

With top tier NHL talent on display, this matchup promises intensity, skill, and playoff like atmosphere at the Bell Center. Expect a contested battle as these two proud hockey nations look to gain early momentum in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

 

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-BetOnBanana