Hockey fans are eagerly anticipating the rematch between the US and Canada in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off final. The initial round-robin match-up saw three fights break out in the first 9 seconds of the game, setting the stage for an intense rivalry. This tournament is replacing the NHL All-Star game for this year and marks the first “best-on-best” international tournament between the two nations since 2016. The championship game is set for Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) and will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Plus.
The first game between the US and Canada took place in Montreal, but the final will be played on US soil at TD Garden in Boston, the home ice of the NHL’s Boston Bruins. All five major live TV streaming services in the US include ESPN, allowing fans to watch the championship game. In Canada, the game will be broadcast in English on Sportsnet (SN) and in French on TVA Sports (TVAS). Viewers can also use the ESPN Plus streaming service to live stream the hockey game. Additionally, using a VPN with a US-based server can provide access to the ESPN broadcast for viewers in locations where the game may not be readily available.
The USA secured their spot in the final by defeating both Finland and Canada in the round-robin games. Despite a loss to Sweden, which did not impact the standings, they advanced to the championship match. Canada needed a win in their final round-robin game against Finland to secure a rematch against the US in the final. The Americans are currently slight favorites in the final according to the latest odds, with a puck line of USA (-1.5 at +235) and Canada (+1.5 at -300), a moneyline of USA (-110) and Canada (-110), and an over/under of 5.5 goals.
Injuries may play a role in shaping the lineups for both teams in the final. Players like the Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, are expected to play, with Auston Matthews also likely to return from an upper-body injury. For Canada, blueliners Shea Theodore and Cale Makar have been ruled out, with Thomas Harley added as a replacement. The game promises to be a thrilling showdown between two powerhouse hockey nations, with fans eagerly anticipating the intense competition that the US vs. Canada rivalry is known for.
