After Saturday's loss to the United States, Team Canada came back with a vengeance on Monday, taking down Finland in regulation to secure their spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off final. The U.S. winning Saturday's game actually clinched their spot in the Final, so Monday's loss to Sweden meant close to nothing. In fact, multiple players sat the game out, including Jack Hughes' linemate Auston Matthews and starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
The first matchup between these bordering nations drew a massive audience. It peaked at 5.2 million viewers according to ESPN's Press Room. It averaged 4.4 million viewers. That is more than every Staley Cup Final game over the past two years outside of last season's Game 7 between the Panthers and Oilers.
The USA win actually drove more excitement behind this team. So, the next iteration of the rivalry should breed even more viewership. Everyone was talking about the win and the patriotism surrounding it. So, with an actual championship on the line, there should be even more eyes on Team USA on Thursday at 8 p.m.
Jack Hughes could become a star for America if he does something great in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final against Canada
This game can help so many players raise their profile. Dylan Larkin can be incredibly underrated, but his game-winning goal on Saturday had everyone talking. Connor Hellebuyck could solidify his status as the world's best goalie against the best offense established in decades. The Tkachuk brothers are both dealing with injuries, but their star power has sky rocketed this tournament.
Despite that, no other player could raise his profile more than Jack Hughes. The New Jersey Devils star is already the best offensive player in the history of the franchise, beating Patrik Elias' long-standing single-season points record in 2023. Now, he has an opportunity to put his name alongside the best offensive stars in the NHL.
If in a game with Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and Nathan MacKinnon, Hughes can score the most goals, he will be celebrated as a hero. This is must-see TV. The NHL hit the nail on the head with this tournament, and it reinvigorated the U.S.-Canada hockey rivalry.
Hughes is already incredibly popular within the Devils fanbase and even beyond it. He's young, good looking, and he's an American star. He basically bleeds red, white, and blue. He plays in the biggest media market in the U.S. (although he's not covered like he is), and people will travel just to see him stick handle through five opponents and shoot the puck off a goalie's mask.
If he scores an insane goal on Thursday, or maybe even two, the conversation will surround his contributions. Of course, if Brock Nelson scores two goals, there will be a conversation around it, but Jack Hughes putting America on the hockey map will make him a centerpiece of Olympics coverage next year.