The NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off was marked by high octane play, the re-confirmation of Team Canada’s dominance, and… booing. A whole lot of it in fact. As the United States faced Team Finland at Montreal’s Bell Centre, a chorus of boos echoed through the arena during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner. In a similar vein, when O’ Canada resonated through the TD Garden during Canada’s match against Finland, the crowd responded with an identical reaction. Each of these incidents intensified the tension between the Americans and Canadians, marking a significant escalation in their hockey rivalry.

In a stunning turn of events during the 4 Nations Face-Off, players from both Team USA and Canada engaged in a heated confrontation just nine seconds into the game, resulting in three separate fights erupting on the ice. The series delivered drama that captivated fans, who initially expressed skepticism about the 4 Nations Face-Off upon its announcement. The change in narrative among fans sparked a lively discussion between Mike Greenberg and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on the Get Up podcast.

Greenberg turned his attention to the international hockey event, inquiring, “What is the tangible impact of that on the sport?” Bettman responded, “Well, a couple of things. One, it demonstrates the passion that hockey players have for our sport and how much they love to represent their country in international competition. We’re going back to the Olympics next year. International best-on-best in hockey, I think, is unrivaled. And I think people thought that this was just going to be an exhibition tournament, but our players took it really seriously.”

For those who follow sports closely, the buzz surrounding the 2026 Winter Olympics is likely already on your radar. With ice hockey making the cut, nations such as Canada, the USA, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Latvia, Denmark, Italy, and France are poised to vie for that coveted Olympic gold medal. As Canada clinched the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy, the anticipation builds for the Olympic Games, raising the question of whether they could emerge as the frontrunners.

Although the global event took the place of the traditional All-Star Games, Bettman noted that each game was captivating and created significantly more excitement than anticipated. What’s the reason behind that? Indeed, it’s evident how athletes such as Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Brandon Hagel, Sam Bennett, and others have demonstrated a profound commitment to their nations through their performances.

Bettman emphasized the various elements that contributed to the 4 Nations’ appeal for the audience, noting, “The viewership, the attendance was all off the charts. The viewership for the last game, Canada versus the U.S., the second time, was like last June’s Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in North America. I think we were like 16 or 17 million people watching. Again, like what Alex Ovechkin did, it transcended the sport. And at the point in time where there was a little tension between two great countries, Canada and the U.S., historic friends and allies, I think that amped up the emotion a little bit, but it was truly spectacular. And if you don’t think that the players were taking it seriously, look at the number of injuries that resulted from the players playing in that tournament.”

The final of the 4 Nations Face-Off, featuring a showdown between the U.S. and Canada, captivated a total of 16.1 million viewers throughout North America. The viewership numbers revealed that there were 9.3 million viewers tuning in from the U.S. on ESPN, while Canada contributed an additional 6.3 million viewers. The matchup marked a significant milestone, ranking as the second-most-viewed NHL game in North America over the past ten years.

What began as a tournament mired in criticism before its inception has now emerged as a significant turnaround. Additionally, according to Bettman, the intense emotions from the audience, fueled by the rivalry between Canada and the U.S., contributed significantly to the event’s success. The NHL commissioner expressed confidence in the players’ seriousness during the tournament, noting the significant injuries that occurred in the games. Did you know, however, that the 4 Nations Face-Off may also happen the following year?

NHL commissioner might consider some more 4 Nations Face-Off action in the future

The events that unfolded at the 4 Nations Face-Off established a benchmark, one that even the NHL must now aspire to meet. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is envisioning a future for the tournament. According to Chris Johnston, “Gary Bettman confirms the NHL isn’t committed to holding the 2026 All-Star Game. Ongoing discussions about where things go. He says the 4 Nations Face-Off ‘raised the bar.'”

Every year, the All-Star Games occur, yet the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off in captivating the hockey audience is nothing short of extraordinary. Additionally, during his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Bettman remarked, “The success has been so quick and overwhelming. We’ve got a lot of things to consider and sort out, including what our All-Star game looks like going forward. But, look, it was all good. We’re looking to do a full World Cup, like you see in soccer.”

This is undoubtedly fantastic news for hockey enthusiasts! The event known as the 4 Nations Face-Off was exclusively for the four participating countries: Canada, the U.S., Finland, and Sweden. It appears that Bettman is keen on expanding the sport, drawing comparisons to soccer, as he envisions creating an event akin to the World Cup, but tailored for hockey.