Instead of the classic All-Star Weekend usually held by the NHL in early February, a new midseason tournament called the 4 Nations Face-Off was held this year. In this tournament, the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden each created a roster for their team but could only select players who were from that country and active players in the NHL. Team Canada was coached by Jon Cooper, current coach of the Tampa Bay Lighting, and captained by Sidney Crosby, current captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins; Team Finland was coached by Antti Pennanen, current coach of the Finnish National Men’s Ice Hockey Team, and captained by Aleksander Barkov, current captain of the Florida Panthers; Team Sweden was coached by Sam Hallam, current coach of the Swedish National Men’s Ice Hockey Team, and captained by Victor Hedman, current captain of the Tampa Bay Lighting; Team USA was coached by Mike Sullivan, current coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and captained by Auston Matthews, current captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. This new tournament was created because previously, active NHL players were not allowed to participate in the Winter Olympic Games, however, this rule will change beginning in 2026. This is a way to deepen global interest in international hockey and to gain as much viewership as possible for the upcoming Olympics.

Each team played three games, six games in total, and the top two teams played in a final championship game. Games were held in the Bell Centre in Montreal, home of the Montreal Canadiens, and TD Garden in Boston, home of the Boston Bruins. In addition, games were played under NHL rules, except for a shortened overtime in all games, excluding the championship. The tournament began with a win by Team Canada against Team Sweden (4-3 OT), followed by a win the next day by Team USA against Team Finland (6-1). Team Finland took the next win against Team Sweden (4-3 OT), with Team USA defeating Team Canada (3-1) the same day. The final series of games were won by Team Canada against Team Finland (5-4) and Team Sweden against Team USA (2-1). Thus, the championship game was between Team Canada and Team USA, since they led all four teams in points. 

In the first period of the championship, goals from Nathan MacKinnon (CA) and Brady Tkachuk (USA) tied the game at 1-1. In the second period, goals from Jake Sanderson (USA) and Sam Bennett (CA) tied the game once again at 2-2. No goals were scored in the third period, resulting in a tie at the end of regulation and forcing an overtime period to begin. Ultimately, Canada took the win with a goal from Connor McDavid in overtime, naming Team Canada the 4 Nations Face-Off Champion after a 3-2 win.

Hockey fans around the world are left wondering if this new tournament will be an annual event, following the global interest in each game. According to NHL.com, 16 million North American viewers tuned in for the championship, causing it to be the most widely watched non-Stanley Cup hockey game in history. Many prefer it to the previous All-Star Games, but no further plans have been made for any other international hockey tournaments until after the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan.