Fresh off a tournament-opening win, Canada’s National Men’s Team is back on the ice Sunday to face Latvia as the preliminary round continues at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

Last Game

Canada opened its tournament Saturday with a 4-0 blanking of Slovenia. Special teams were key—Bo Horvat scored twice on the power play and Noah Dobson added a goal with the man advantage. Nathan MacKinnon recorded a goal and two assists. Dylan Garand made 11 saves for the shutout and Canada put 40 shots on Slovenia’s Lukas Horak.

Latvia opened its tournament Saturday with a 4-1 win over France. The French got on the board first, but Martins Dzierkals evened the score with a shorthanded goal and Kristaps Roberts Zile gave Latvia a 2-1 lead early in the third period. Dans Locmelis had two empty-net goals and Kristers Gudlevskis made 18 saves.

Last Meeting

Canada last played the Latvians in the semifinals at the 2023 Men’s Worlds, advancing to the gold medal game with a 4-2 win. The Latvians took a 2-1 lead to the third period, but Jack Quinn found the back of the net just 45 seconds into the final frame, Adam Fantilli scored the winner with 11:04 left and Scott Laughton finished things into an empty net. Sam Montembeault made 20 saves for the Canadians, who went on to win their 28th gold medal. Latvia, meanwhile, won a historic bronze medal against the United States.

What to Watch

The New York Islanders had a big impact on Canada’s first game, especially on the power play. Horvat and Dobson helped Canada go 3-for-7 with the man advantage. In his 11th season, Horvat recorded 28 goals and 57 points with the Islanders, including 10 points on special teams (3-7—10). On the blue line, Dobson registered 10 goals and 39 points in 71 games, 13 of those on the power play (1-12—13). Also, how about Macklin Celebrini? He had two perfect no-look passes against Slovenia, one to set up Dobson for his goal and the other to provide Kent Johnson with a fantastic scoring chance.

Latvia enters the tournament with a mix of youth and experience. This is the 13th Men’s Worlds for Kaspars Daugavins, who has served as captain in six of the last nine years and led the Latvians with four goals and seven points a year ago. Dans Locmelis is the youngest skater; the 21-year-old Boston Bruins prospect had eight goals and 33 points with the University of Massachusetts this year before joining the AHL’s Providence Bruins late in the season, adding three goals and 12 points in six regular-season games and one assist in the playoffs.

A Look Back

Canada and Latvia have met 15 times at the IIHF World Championship, with Canada winning 13 and tying one.

Historically, Canada has dominated the matchup, outscoring the Latvians 81-18. The last time they faced off in Sweden was all the way back in 2002, when the Canadians earned a 4-1 victory. Brad Schlegel opened the scoring in the first period, Andy McDonald doubled the lead in the middle frame and Richard Matvichuk and Eric Brewer rounded out the scoring.

All-time record: Canada leads 13-1-1
Canada goals: 81
Latvia goals: 18

Here we go. Canada’s National Men’s Team hits the ice Saturday to face Slovenia as it opens its quest for a record-extending 29th gold medal at the IIHF World Championship at Avicii Arena.

Last Game

Canada wrapped up its pre-tournament schedule Tuesday with a 6-0 shut out of Hungary in Budapest. Zach Boychuk and Porter Martone scored 1:18 apart to give the Canadians a 2-0 lead after the first period. Noah Dobson and Travis Konecny doubled the lead in the middle frame before Travis Sanheim and Macklin Celebrini rounded out the scoring in the third. Celebrini recorded a four-point performance, while Dylan Garand and Carter George combined for 14 saves for the shutout.

The Slovenians finished their exhibition slate with a 3-2 win over Kazakhstan on Tuesday in Uppsala, Sweden. Matik Török and Rok Kapel scored in the third period to help Slovenia come all the way back from a two-goal deficit. Filip Sitar had the other goal, getting the comeback started late in the second period.

Last Meeting

Canada last played Slovenia in the preliminary round of the 2023 Men’s Worlds, with the Canadians earning a 5-2 win. MacKenzie Weegar led Canada with a goal and two assists, while Jack McBain and Michael Carcone contributed a goal and a helper each. Devon Levi made 22 saves in net.

What to Watch

This Canadian team has a little bit of everything for fans. Captain Sidney Crosby is making his return to the tournament for the first time since 2015, joined by a fellow Nova Scotian, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ryan O’Reilly as alternate captains. There’s next generation up-and-comers, like Macklin Celebrini who recorded 25 goals and 63 points in his rookie NHL season with the San Jose Sharks. Between the pipes, Jordan Binnington is putting on the Maple Leaf again after a strong performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off three months ago. Finally, Marc-André Fleury will reunite with Crosby and make his IIHF World Championship debut after 21 NHL seasons.

A majority of the Slovenian players compete in the top pro league in their country (including 10 who helped HK Olimpija win the championship this season), but there are four young players who spent the 2024-25 campaign across the pond in North America. Nace Langus (Augustana University) and Sitar (University of Conneticut) compete in the NCAA. Jan Golicic—a fourth round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2024—is a shutdown defenceman who had four goals and 31 points with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques, and fellow blue-liner Urban Podrekar put up 10 goals and 27 points with the OHL’s Flint Firebirds.

A Look Back

This will be the sixth meeting between Canada and Slovenia at Men’s Worlds, and the Canadians are undefeated through the first five.

The closest game was in 2013 (also in Stockholm)—the Slovenians held a 3-2 lead heading into the third period before Brenden Dillon tied the game with 13 minutes left and Steven Stamkos won it 3:36 into overtime for Canada.

All-time record: Canada leads 5-0 (1-0 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 29
Slovenia goals: 8

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Hockey Canada has announced that two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time Stanley Cup champion Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, NS/Pittsburgh, NHL) will wear the ‘C’ for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, set for May 9-25 in Stockholm, Sweden and Herning, Denmark.

IIHF World Championship gold medallists and Stanley Cup champions Nathan MacKinnon (Cole Harbour, NS/Colorado, NHL) and Ryan O’Reilly (Varna, ON/Nashville, NHL) will serve alongside Crosby as alternate captains.

“It is an honour to be named captain for the 2025 IIHF World Championship on a team that has so many great leaders and players, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at Men’s Worlds for the first time since 2015,” Crosby said. “Nathan and Ryan are amazing leaders on and off the ice, and I look forward to serving on the leadership group with them. Our entire team is excited to play for Team Canada and wear the Maple Leaf with pride as we attempt to accomplish our goal of winning a gold medal.”

Canada will open the 2025 IIHF World Championship against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast 64 and 24 games, respectively; please check local listings for details.

For more information on the 2025 IIHF World Championship, please visit the official tournament website at IIHF.com.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the first 15 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, May 9-25 in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark.

The initial roster, which includes one goaltender, five defencemen and nine forwards, was selected by general manager Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. A selection committee of four NHL executives – Dennis Bonvie (Antigonish, NS/Boston, NHL), Gregory Campbell (Tillsonburg, ON/Florida, NHL), Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, ON/Colorado, NHL) and Jason Spezza (Mississauga, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL) – also assisted with player selections.

Among the 15 players are eight who have previously suited up for Canada at the IIHF World Championship (Fantilli, Horvat, Johnson, Konecny, Montour, O’Reilly, Sanheim, Weegar) and two who won the championship at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off (Konecny, Sanheim). The initial roster also includes 11 players who have represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship (Celebrini, Cuylle, Dobson, Fantilli, Foerster, Garand, Hayton, Horvat, Johnson, Konecny, Sanheim).

“We are excited to unveil the first 15 players who will wear the Maple Leaf at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, as this a very competitive and talented group that provides a strong foundation of NHL and international experience and success,” Dubas said. “We know these 15 players will give our team a chance to compete for a gold medal as they represent Canada with pride in Stockholm and Herning, and we look forward to continuing to build our roster ahead of the world championship following the conclusion of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”

Roster additions will be announced in the coming weeks pending the results of the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs.

In addition, seven players will join Canada’s National Men’s Team for its pre-tournament camp in Vienna and Budapest – Nicolas Beaudin (Châteauguay, QC/HC Kometa Brno, Czech Extraliga), Zach Boychuk (Airdrie, AB/Eisbären Berlin, DEL), Harrison Brunicke (Calgary, AB/Kamloops, WHL), Porter Martone (Peterborough, ON/Brampton, OHL), Zayne Parekh (Nobleton, ON/Saginaw, OHL), Brendan Perlini (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Lausanne HC, NL) and Ty Ronning (Burnaby, BC/Eisbären Berlin, DEL).

Canada will open the 2025 IIHF World Championship against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25. Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Men’s Team will play pre-tournament games against in Vienna against Austria on May 4 and in Budapest against Hungary on May 6.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast 64 and 24 games, respectively; please check local listings for details.

Since 1931, Canada has collected 28 gold medals at the world championship, to go along with 16 silver and seven bronze. 

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – With less than two weeks until the puck drops at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, Hockey Canada has named the coaching and support staffs that will lead Canada’s National Men’s Team in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark, May 9-25.

After serving as an assistant coach at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, Dean Evason (Flin Flon, MB/Columbus, NHL) returns for the second-straight year to take the reins as head coach. He will be joined by assistant coaches Andrew Brunette (Sudbury, ON/Nashville, NHL), Ryan Huska (Cranbrook, BC/Calgary, NHL) and Steve McCarthy (Trail, BC/Columbus, NHL), and director of performance analysis James Emery (Calgary, AB).

The staff was selected by general manager Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, with input from Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), executive director of Canada’s National Men’s Team.

“Dean, Andrew, Ryan and Steve are excellent NHL coaches that bring many years of professional experience and leadership, and we are thrilled that they will lead Team Canada at the 2025 world championship,” Dubas said. “Our coaching staff will also be supported by an elite support staff that has many years of NHL experience, as well as experience at several world championships and Olympics, and we know our entire staff will create an environment for our players to succeed and wear the Maple Leaf with pride in Stockholm and Herning.”

Evason recently finished his first season as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets following six seasons as an assistant coach (2018-20) and head coach (2020-24) of the Minnesota Wild. He was also an assistant with the Washington Capitals (2005-12) and spent six seasons (2012-18) as head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL). Prior to his professional coaching career, Evason was the head coach of the Kamloops Blazers (1999-2002), Vancouver Giants (2002-04) and Calgary Hitmen (2004-05) of the Western Hockey League (WHL), and was an assistant with the Hitmen for one season (1998-99). As a player, he played in 803 NHL games with the Capitals, Hartford Whalers, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. Internationally, he wore the Maple Leaf at the 1984 IIHF World Junior Championship, suited up in 56 games with Canada’s National Men’s Team during the 1996-97 season and captained Canada to a gold medal at the 1997 IIHF World Championship.

Brunette has served as head coach of the Nashville Predators for the past two seasons (2023-25) and is slated to make his international coaching debut at Men’s Worlds. He was also an associate coach with the New Jersey Devils for one season (2022-23) and was an assistant with the Florida Panthers for parts of three seasons (2019-21) before being named interim head coach during the 2021-22 season. Brunette also spent time with the Minnesota Wild, serving as director of player personnel (2018-19), assistant general manager (2017-18), special assistant to the GM (2016-17, 2012-14) and assistant coach (2014-16). As a player, he played in 1,109 NHL games over 16 seasons with the Washington Capitals, Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Wild, Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks.

Huska recently completed his second season (2023-25) as head coach of the Calgary Flames after serving as an assistant for five seasons (2018-23). Prior to joining the Flames, he was the head coach of the AHL’s Adirondack Flames/Stockton Heat for four seasons (2014-18) and spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach (2002-07) and head coach (2007-14) of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. Internationally, he served as an assistant with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2011 and 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships, winning silver and bronze, respectively.

McCarthy is set to make his international coaching debut. He has served as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets for four seasons (2021-25) after five years (2016-21) as an assistant with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. As a player, McCarthy played 302 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Atlanta Thrashers. He also won bronze medals with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2000 and 2001 IIHF World Junior Championships, serving as captain in 2001, and won gold with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 1998 Four Nations Cup.

The support staff that will work with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship includes:

• Sport physiotherapist Kent Kobelka (Revelstoke, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Athletic therapist Kevin Elliott (Charlottetown, PE/Pittsburgh, NHL)
• Massage therapist Andy Hüppi (Schmerikon, SUI)
• Team physician Dr. Ian Auld (Victoria, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Equipment managers Paul Boyer (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Detroit, NHL) and Blair Smook (Airdrie, AB)
• Strength and conditioning coach Sean Young (Ennismore, ON/Ottawa, OHL)
• Managers of hockey operations Mitchell Furlotte (Bathurst, NB) and Kurt Keats (Winnipeg, MB)
• Coordinator of hockey operations Miah Armitage (Creston, BC)
• Media relations director Sean Kelso (Vancouver, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Media relations manager Spencer Sharkey (Hamilton, ON)

Canada will open Men’s Worlds against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25. Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Men’s Team will play pre-tournament games in Vienna against Austria on May 4 and in Budapest against Hungary on May 6.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast 64 and 24 games, respectively; please check local listings for details.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL) will serve as general manager of Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, May 9-25 in Stockholm, Sweden and Herning, Denmark.

Dubas, who recently helped Team Canada win the championship at the 4 Nations Face-Off, returns to Men’s Worlds for the second-consecutive year after serving as associate general manager in 2024. He will be supported by player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations.

In addition, a selection committee of four NHL executives – Dennis Bonvie (Antigonish, NS/Boston, NHL), Gregory Campbell (Tillsonburg, ON/Florida, NHL), Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, ON/Colorado, NHL) and Jason Spezza (Mississauga, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL) - will assist with evaluating and selecting players for the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

Dubas and the selection committee were selected by Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), who serves as the executive director of Canada’s National Men’s Team, with input from Salmond and Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada, who make up an executive committee preparing for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

“Kyle is an excellent general manager, and his recent experience at the 4 Nations Face-Off and last year’s Men’s Worlds will be beneficial in building and leading Canada’s National Men’s Team as it looks to reclaim gold at the IIHF World Championship,” Armstrong said. “Kyle has great relationships with players and staff throughout the NHL, and as a member of management group for the 2026 Olympics, we are confident he is the best person to lead Team Canada in Stockholm and Herning this May while leaning on the expertise of Dennis, Gregory, Andrew and Jason.”

Dubas is in his second season as general manager and president of hockey operations with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Previously, he spent nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, serving five seasons (2018-23) as general manager, becoming the second-youngest GM in NHL history. He also spent four seasons (2014-18) as assistant general manager and GM of the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL), leading the team to its first Calder Cup championship in 2018. Dubas started his front-office career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), serving four seasons (2003-07) as a scout and three seasons (2011-14) as general manager. Internationally, he won the 4 Nations Face-Off as director of player personnel, and will serve in the same role with Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team at the 2026 Olympics. 

The coaching and support staff, as well as the roster, for the 2025 IIHF World Championship will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Canada will open the tournament against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25. Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Men’s Team will play pre-tournament games against in Vienna against Austria on May 4 and in Budapest against Hungary on May 6.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 20)

The game everybody wanted is the game everybody got. The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off comes to a close Thursday night at TD Garden in Boston when Canada takes on the United States in the championship game.

Last Game

Canada punched its ticket to the final with a 5-3 win over Finland in its preliminary-round finale on Monday afternoon. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon scored 46 seconds apart early in the first period, Brayden Point added a goal before the end of the opening frame and the Canadians looked to be on their way with a four-goal lead after 40 minutes, but the Finns made it interesting late, cutting the deficit to a single goal before Sidney Crosby found the empty net in the final minute.

With their place in the finale secure before the puck dropped, the Americans rested a couple of key pieces in what finished as a 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday night. Chris Kreider, the oldest player on the U.S. roster, scored just 35 seconds into his tournament debut, but that would be all the offence the home country could muster despite directing 33 shots towards Samuel Ersson.

Last Meeting

Need we remind anyone? The North American rivals clashed Saturday night in Montreal, in a prelim game that not only lived up to the pre-game hype, but surpassed it. Three fights in the opening nine seconds set an emotional tone and McDavid ignited the Bell Centre crowd with a beautiful goal less than six minutes in, but the U.S. would rally for a 3-1 victory to ensure itself a spot in the championship game.

What to Watch

Really, at this point what you need to watch is the game and everybody involved in it. This is going to be one to remember. But if we need to be picky… let’s turn our attention to the reigning Hart Trophy winner. MacKinnon earned Player of the Game honours against the Finns thanks to his two-goal effort, and his Cole Harbour connection with Crosby will be key to Canada’s chances. MacKinnon has been tearing up the NHL, going into the international break with a league-leading 87 points (19-66—87). (Those 66 assists, by the way, also pace all NHLers.) Although it’s been almost eight years since he last wore the Maple Leaf (at the 2017 IIHF World Championship), MacKinnon is no stranger to international hockey; his résumé included 22 goals and 52 points in 49 games for his country prior to the tournament.

The Americans have an NHL league-leader of their own, and he plays between the pipes. Connor Hellebuyck is arguably the best goaltender in the world, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner who has his sights set on another. He tops all puck-stoppers in goals-against average (2.06), save percentage (.925), shutouts (6) and wins (34), backstopping the Winnipeg Jets to the top of the NHL standings. And the 31-year-old has been just as good at the 4 Nations Face-Off, winning both his starts while allowing just a single goal in each, turning aside 45 of 47 shots in victories over Finland and Canada. But just like the Canadians, feel free to let your focus wander to any number of players – Auston Matthews, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk … there’s really no wrong answer.

A Look Back

One of international hockey’s greatest rivalries, the Canadians and Americans have met 20 times in best-on-best tournaments since the 1976 Canada Cup, with Canada holding a 14-5-1 advantage.

This will be the fifth time the rivals will clash in a tournament finale; Canada swept the best-of-three final in the 1991 Canada Cup, only for the U.S. to get that win back in a three-game thriller in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. And, of course, they have met in a pair of Olympic gold medal games – in 2002, when Canada ended a 50-year drought, and the 2010 instant classic in Vancouver that ended with Crosby’s iconic Golden Goal.

All-time record: Canada leads 14-5-1 (2-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 71
United States goals: 32

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. FINLAND (FEB. 17)

It’s do-or-die time as the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off shifts to Boston; Canada faces off against Finland in its preliminary-round finale Monday afternoon, needing a win to keep its chances of playing for the championship alive.

Last Game

Canada closed out the Montreal leg of the tournament with an emotion-filled 3-1 loss to the United States on Saturday night. After three fights in the first nine seconds, Connor McDavid opened the scoring at the 5:31 mark, firing up an already energized crowd at the Bell Centre. But that would be it for offence for the Canadians, who lost a best-on-best game for the first time since a prelim loss to the Americans at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

The Finns bounced back from their own loss to the U.S. by edging their Nordic rivals from Sweden 4-3 in overtime in a Saturday matinee. Mikael Granlund provided the heroics just 1:49 into the extra period, keeping Finland in the running for a spot in the final opposite the U.S.

Last Meeting

Canada and Finland have been frequent foes at the IIHF World Championship, clashing most recently in the preliminary round at the 2024 tournament last spring in Prague. Owen Power sparked the offence with a goal and two assists, Dylan Cozens added a goal and a helper and Jordan Binnington made 29 saves to help the Canadians to a 5-3 win.

The most recent best-on-best matchup came in the prelim finale at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. With both teams already assured of a place in the playoff round, Drew Doughty ended a defensive battle with his second goal of the game 2:32 into overtime, giving Canada a 2-1 win and first place in Group B.

What to Watch

While much of the attention has fallen to Sidney Crosby and his international exploits (and to be clear, that attention is VERY MUCH warranted) or his connection with Nathan MacKinnon, a fellow Nova Scotian, it’s almost as if McDavid has somewhat slid under the radar. Which is crazy to say about a player who has been a finalist for the Hart Trophy four consecutive seasons – winning twice – and has averaged 136 points over the last three years. But the Edmonton Oilers superstar burst back into the spotlight on Saturday, streaking through the Americans with a top speed of 36.5 mph to open the scoring. McDavid has been no slouch internationally across his career; he has recorded 55 points (15-40—55) in 41 games wearing the Maple Leaf, winning gold medals at Men’s Worlds, World Juniors and U18 Men’s Worlds.

What a year it’s been for Aleksander Barkov. The Finnish captain is eight months removed from captaining the Florida Panthers to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship, averaging almost a point per game in the playoffs (8-14—22 in 24 games). The 29-year-old is on pace for his fifth-straight point-per-game season (and the only two seasons he didn’t reach that mark across the last eight, he was 78 in 79 and 62 in 66), and he has the Panthers back atop a competitive Atlantic Division with the sixth-most points in the NHL at the international break. Almost it has been almost nine years since he last wore the blue and white of his country, Barkov is no stranger to international hockey; his résumé includes a U18 Men’s Worlds, two World Juniors, two Men’s Worlds, one Olympics and a World Cup of Hockey.

Championship Scenarios

The U.S. has booked its place in the final on Thursday night, but the Canadians, Finns and Swedes all sit at two points and have championship game aspirations.

A regulation win for either Canada or Finland will see them advance to face the Americans, while Sweden will need an overtime finish in the early game Monday and a regulation win over the U.S.

A Look Back

Despite being long-time international rivals, Canada and Finland have met only nine times in best-on-best competition since the 1976 Canada Cup, with the Canadians claiming victory in six of those meetings.

The highlight came at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, when the nations clashed in the final. A back-and-forth game saw the Finns twice erase Canadian leads before Shane Doan netted the game-winner 34 seconds into the third period, giving Canada a 3-2 victory and the World Cup title.

All-time record: Canada leads 6-2-1 (1-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 35
Finland goals: 14

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 15)

While every preliminary-round game is important in a short tournament, this one just seems a little more special – Canada takes on the United States in the marquee prelim matchup on Saturday night at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

Last Game

Canada opened the tournament with an absolute barn-burner on Wednesday night, getting an overtime winner from Mitch Marner to earn a 4-3 victory over Sweden in front of a raucous crowd at the Bell Centre. Sidney Crosby picked up three primary assists (and improved to 26-0 in his last 26 international games), while Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand and Mark Stone joined Marner as goal scorers.

The Americans turned it on late in their opener against Finland on Thursday, scoring four goals in a span of 5:56 across the second and third periods to beat the Finns 6-1. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk scored two goals each, with Matthew and Jake Guentzel netting 11 seconds apart in the opening minute of the final frame to extend the U.S. lead from one to three before most fans were back in their seats.

Last Meeting

The Canadians and Americans last clashed in the semifinals at the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Riga, Latvia. Darcy Kuemper starred between the pipes for Canada, making 36 saves, Andrew Mangiapane scored a pair of goals to bolster his case for MVP honours and the Canadians – who started the tournament with three-straight losses – downed their cross-border rivals 4-2 en route to an unlikely 27th world title.

The most recent best-on-best matchup came in the semifinals of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, a narrow 1-0 win for Canada. Jamie Benn scored the game’s only goal 1:41 into the second period and Carey Price made it stand up with a 31-save shutout, backstopping Canada into another Olympic gold medal game (where he’d add another clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Sweden).

What to Watch

The exploits of Canada’s big guns up front have been well-documented, so let’s turn our attention to the blue line. The loss of Shea Theodore for the tournament with an upper-body injury has opened the door for Travis Sanheim, who will draw into the lineup against the U.S. But the native of Elkhorn, Manitoba (the smallest hometown on the Canadian roster with just 455 residents, according to the 2021 Census) is not your average seventh defenceman. Sanheim plays 24:34 a night with the Philadelphia Flyers, 14th among NHL defencemen, sits seventh among all NHLers with 126 blocked shots and is fast – which comes in handy in a tournament like this. NHL Edge data has the 28-year-old in the 97th percentile among defencemen with 93 bursts above the league average of 32 kph.

The Tkachuk brothers are continuing the proud familiy tradition of international excellence started by their father, Keith. The elder Tkachuk represented the U.S. at two World Juniors (1991, 1992), two World Cups (1996, 2004) and four Olympics (1992, 1998, 2002, 2006), winning a World Cup title in 1996 and Olympic silver in 2002. Now Brady and Matthew are getting their first taste of best-on-best competition, having already accumulated 36 games of Team USA experience at the U18 Men’s Worlds, World Juniors and Men’s Worlds. And watch out for Zach Werenski; the blue-liner – who recorded three assists against the Finns – is enjoying a career year for the Columbus Blue Jackets, ranking second among NHL rearguards in goals (17) and points (59) while playing a league-leading 26:53 per game.

A Look Back

One of international hockey’s greatest rivalries, the Canadians and Americans have met 19 times in best-on-best tournaments since the 1976 Canada Cup, with Canada holding a 14-4-1 advantage.

A number of those meetings have come in tournament finales; Canada swept the best-of-three final in the 1991 Canada Cup, only for the U.S. to get that win back in a three-game thriller in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. And, of course, the North American rivals have met in a pair of Olympic gold medal games – in 2002, when Canada ended a 50-year drought, and the 2010 instant classic in Vancouver that ended with Crosby’s iconic Golden Goal.

All-time record: Canada leads 14-4-1 (2-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 70
United States goals: 29

The day has come. After almost nine years, best-on-best competition returns as Canada opens up the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden in Montreal.

The day has finally come. Almost nine years after the last best-on-best tournament – the 2016 World Cup of Hockey – Canada opens up the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Last Meeting

The last time the Canadians and Swedes met in any senior men’s competition was the bronze medal game at the 2024 IIHF World Championship last spring in Prague. Dylan Cozens and Pierre-Luc Dubois gave Canada a 2-1 lead early in the third period, but three unanswered goals in the final 10:25 were enough for Sweden to earn a 4-2 win.

For the last time the long-time international rivals met in best-on-best competition (and we’re including Canada Cups, World Cups and Olympics with NHLers in that category), you have to go back to the gold medal game at the 2014 Games in Sochi. Jonathan Toews opened the scoring (just as he had in the 2010 gold medal game), Sidney Crosby closed the scoring (just as he had in the 2010 gold medal game) and Carey Price made 24 saves for the shutout as Canada claimed another Olympic gold with a 3-0 win.

What to Watch

Have you seen the Canadian roster? You think we can pick just one player? More than 13,000 NHL games. More than 10,000 points. Twenty Stanley Cup championships. Thirty-three individual NHL honours. But alright, let’s focus on one – how about arguably the greatest leader in Canadian hockey history with the ‘C’ on his chest? Crosby has tallied 67 points (32-35—67) in 54 international games, winning two Olympic gold medals, one each at Men’s Worlds and World Juniors, and a World Cup title. He is the only player in the IIHF Triple Gold Club to win all three legs as captain – Olympic gold, IIHF World Championship gold and the Stanley Cup. Remarkably, it has been almost 22 years since the pride of Cole Harbour first donned the Maple Leaf, as a 15-year-old at the 2003 U18 World Cup. Crosby is still a force to be reckoned with in his 20th NHL season; he has recorded 58 points (17-41—58) in 55 games, on pace to finish as a point-per-game player for the 20th time in as many seasons.

Sweden may not have the top-to-bottom star power of the Canadians, but there are certainly a few players who deserve a little extra attention. Let’s start with one familiar to Canadian hockey fans – William Nylander. The Toronto Maple Leafs forward sits second in the NHL with 33 goals this season and has been terrific wearing the Tre Kronor; Nylander’s last international appearance came at the 2019 IIHF World Championship when he led the tournament with 18 points (5-13—18) despite the Swedes going out in the quarterfinals. And since we mentioned Crosby, we’d be remiss not to mention the Swedish captain – Victor Hedman. The veteran defenceman has a trophy case that includes Men’s Worlds gold, two Stanley Cups with Tampa Bay, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Norris Trophy, along with more than 700 points in more than 1,000 NHL games. Only three Swedish blue-liners have recorded more points – two (Nicklas Lidstrom and Borje Salming) are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the third, Erik Karlsson, will join Hedman at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

A Look Back

If we look back strictly at best-on-best competition, dating back to the 1976 Canada Cup, the Canadians have a decided advantage, winning 10 of the 12 meetings.

The only other matchup in a gold medal game or tournament final came at the 1984 Canada Cup, when Canada swept the best-of-three final in Alberta. Michel Goulet had two goals and an assist to in a 5-2 win in Game 1 in Calgary before 12 players recorded points in the opening 17 minutes to help Canada to a 5-0 first-period lead in Game 2 in Edmonton, en route to a 6-5 victory.

All-time record: Canada leads 10-2-0 (1-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 45
Sweden goals: 27