The 4 Nations Face-Off has lived up to the hype. The concept of having a best-on-best tournament in preparation for next year's Winter Olympics was a brilliant idea. Fans from all over the world have enjoyed the product, and the proof is in the television ratings. Some of the games have been ESPN's most-watched telecasts in years. Last Saturday's matchup between the USA and Canada was up +479% from the World Cup of Hockey game in 2016.
Another aspect that has been compelling to watch is the rivalries among the teams. Unlike the all-star game, there's something bigger at stake: the pride of one's country. This has led to some interesting storylines throughout the tournament. One notable example would be Matthew Tkachuk (USA) and Brandon Hagel (Canada). They dropped the gloves in the first matchup and have continued to chirp on another, including a minor back-and-forth involving group chats. There have also been a few other compelling examples.
Jack Hughes (USA) and Jesper Bratt (Sweden)
Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt are linemates for the New Jersey Devils. Their nickname is Peanut Butter and Jelly. Both players are known for their speed and electrifying goal-scoring ability. They played each other on Monday with Sweden defeating the USA 2-1. Bratt was awarded Player of the Game for scoring the game-winning goal in the first period. However, he also recorded one hit in that matchup. That lone hit happened to be on Hughes. It was a minor one but Bratt explained the circumstance postgame.
"I don't know how many times we get to play against each other. So, I had to take advantage and give him a little bump... This game didn't matter as much to them as it mattered to us. I'm very happy for him that he's been doing well. Obviously, I wanted to be in the final myself, but at the same time I wish him luck."Jesper Bratt Sweden forward
"I don't know how many times we get to play against each other. So, I had to take advantage and give him a little bump."
— Trey Matthews (@treymatt4) February 18, 2025
Jesper Bratt explained the hit he had on Jack Hughes
Friends/teammates become rivals at #4Nations #NJDevils @pitchforkedpuck @LockedOnDevils pic.twitter.com/bpYIyIpC3g
Sidney Crosby (Canada) and the young guns
This "rivalry" is a bit more complex. Canada's captain Sidney Crosby has been in the NHL for 20 seasons. He's still playing at an elite level. Heading into the championship game, he is tied with Zach Werenski for most points (five) in the tournament. Head Coach Jon Cooper went as far as to compare Crosby to Jesus Christ by saying that he "walks on water" in Canada. Crosby is an icon, and a lot of people idolize him, including his competition. Pucks and Pitchforks asked him how it felt to share the stage with players who grew up watching him. While Crosby was flattered, it understandably wasn't his main focus.
"You can look at it a lot of different ways. I'm not trying to think about that a whole lot. But I appreciate it. All guys, regardless of their age, have players that they watch and respect. I think that's something cool about the game. When you get out on the ice, you don't think about that a whole lot. It basically just makes you feel a little bit older."Sidney Crosby Canada Captain
Auston Matthews (USA) vs. Mitch Marner (Canada)
Similar to Bratt and Hughes, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are teammates for the Toronto Maple Leafs. But for this tournament, they are now competitors where only one of them will hoist a trophy. Both players have experienced heartbreak in Boston and one of them will experience that pain again. When asked if there was a "friendly wager" in play, Matthews quickly said no. When answering a follow-up question, Matthews stated the last time he supposedly spoke to Marner was when both of them were deboarding in Boston.
This tournament has brought out the best in a lot of players. The Tkachuk brothers are embracing the "villain role," and Canada wants to put an end to their shenanigans. It all comes down to tonight: the championship game at TD Garden with puck drop scheduled for 8 pm EST.