NHL 4 Nations Face-off 2025: Winners and Losers from Canada vs. Sweden
The NHL’s first best-on-best competition since 2016 kicked off Wednesday as Canada beat Sweden in a 4-3 overtime thriller to open the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal. Mitch Marner played the hero, Jordan Binnington came up with some timely overtime saves, and of course, Captain Sidney Crosby ended up the first star of the evening.
Because of the tournament format, the Canadians earned two points while the Swedes garnered a single one after forcing the extra session. Three points are awarded for any regulation win.
Canada improved to 9-1-0 all-time against Sweden in international play in their first head-to-head matchup since the 2014 Sochi Olympic Final.
Some hockey fans went into this tournament wondering if Canada still had it. Hockey has made worldwide strides and the USA, Finland, and Sweden are as strong as ever. Game 1 sure reminded us of what we're working with when it comes to Canada's offensive firepower, though, with veteran stars, multiple contemporary Hart Trophy winners, and up-and-comers combining for the win.
Meanwhile, Sweden got a point, but the rough start and a valiant comeback effort that fell just short were brutal for morale. Here are the winners and losers from the first game of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Winner: Sidney Crosby
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We were all waiting with bated breath to see if Canada captain and international play legend Sidney Crosby would be healthy enough to go. Crosby isn’t just the heartbeat of Team Canada – he makes every hockey fan from each of the nations care about the tournament more. This could be one of the last international tournaments we get to see the 2010 golden goal scorer in action.
Now, we'll remember a few more assists. Crosby's three helpers on the evening earned him the Star of the Game award, an honor the crowd was elated to see him receive.
We got to see him in an unusual position on the left wing. Of course, he was electric alongside fellow Nova Scotian Nathan MacKinnon at center and Mark Stone to their right. Crosby dished the puck to both of them and Mitch Marner in overtime for a three-point evening. He was all over the score sheet and he’s dominating the highlights.
There’s a reason why Crosby was the obvious choice for captain on a team with MVPs like MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, and there’s a reason the best young players in the league have been gushing at the opportunity to play with him. In a way, it’s like Crosby was just as excited to prove to the younger guys that he’s still that dude.
Crosby gets the international job done every time. Vaguely injured, on the wing, 37 years old? No problem. Team Canada is 26-0-0 in its last 26 games with the evening's first star in the lineup.
Winner: Canada's Ridiculous Power Play
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Less than one minute into the freakin' game, Nathan MacKinnon connected with Sidney Crosby, who connected with MacKinnon again for a buttery, effortless power play goal. The secondary assist? Yeah, that was brought to you by Mr. Connor McDavid.
Did we forget just what we were working with, here? If so, the first power play of the game immediately humbled us.
Folks, the first power play unit is literally MacKinnon, Crosby, McDavid, Sam Reinhart, and Cale Makar. Not only is this a blend of pure talent, goal-scoring, and speed, but you've got the familiarity with MacKinnon and Makar.
Meanwhile, the second unit could be an amazing first NHL power play unit featuring Mitch Marner, Brayden Point Mark Stone, Shea Theodore, and Travis Konecny.
Considering Sweden ended up winning the game in overtime, that first power-play goal one minute in was essential insurance for Canada. Meanwhile, Sweden failed to capitalize on its power play.
Loser: Sweden's Confidence
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In such a short Round Robin tournament, the last thing you want to do as opening night host is allow the other team a highlight reel power-play goal one minute in. The next last thing you want to do is fail to record a shot on net until 15:15 of the first period.
Sweden did both of those things and still came up with the resolve to force overtime. The team’s physicality kept it in the game as it escaped the first down 2-0 (it could’ve been worse). Sweden settled down halfway through the second, though, and only trailed 11-9 in shots as Jonas Brodin got on the board
The offensive zone time starkly increased in the second, as did some defensive awareness via Ramus Dahlin, and Sweden was able to maintain this for the rest of the game – but it was too late. It was a stupendous pushback period, but it was no match for Sidney Crosby’s late-period magic. That’d be the same story come overtime.
Given Finland’s shortcomings, perhaps one point Sweden collects from this game will be enough for redemption and a fresh start. But stars like William Nylander and Elias Pettersson were quiet, and coming back from all of that just to lose is a tough blow to morale.
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Winner: Canadian Offensive Depth
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If the power play units weren't enough to convince you, here is the full forward depth chart for team Canada:
Sam Reinhart - Connor McDavid - Mitch Marner
Sidney Crosby - Nathan MacKinnon - Mark Stone
Brad Marchand - Brayden Point - Seth Jarvis
Brandon Hagel - Anthony Cirelli - Travis Konecny
What a time to be alive. Marchand finally gets to be the bottom-six player of his own dreams, and he rewarded us tonight with a goal -- initiated by a slick Jarvis play and a patient Point pass. Crosby on the wing has been delightful. Mitch Marner, of course, came up big in overtime.
The first goal of the game, scored one minute in by MacKinnon, assisted by Crosby and McDavid, was more than enough star power on its own. The fact that it wasn't just the power play show; the goals were spread out from Marchand, Stone, Marner, and MacKinnon.
That my friends, is terrifying.
Loser: Jordan Binnington
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Look, Binnington had enough key saves in overtime -- and by the end of the game -- to make you forgive him and move on to the next one.
But Canada kept Sweden out of his zone for 15:15 to start the game, and skaters gifted him a two-goal lead early on. Canada did its job, and then Binnington allowed a pair of questionable goals, making this more of a production than needed to be.
He ended the night with a .885 save percentage and three goals against.
The extra point Sweden earned by taking it to overtime seems harmless enough right now, but we just saw how close these games can get out of nowhere. If Binnington and Canada's defense can build on some solid moments and tighten up a bit, you're looking at a 4 Nations Face-Off winning team.
Loser: Vegas Golden Knights
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Your biggest fear with a tournament like this is injury and Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theadore looks like the first man down after logging hefty minutes for Canada.
He left the game early in the second period after taking a hit from Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe. He skated to the bench with his right arm pinned to his body, and promptly left the bench to head to the dressing room for further evaluation.
TNT's Jackie Redmond reported on the broadcast that Theodore was getting X-rays on his right wrist/hand. and played 6:59 across nine shifts before exiting.
After the game, Canada coach Jon Cooper confirmed the worst for the Canadians and for the Golden Knights.
Canada will not be able to add a replacement, as the rules state a team can only add more players if the roster dwindles below 18 players.
More importantly for Vegas, it's a huge blow for their blue line if the 29-year-old defenseman is out for a significant time.
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