The sports world can’t get enough of the Team USA vs. Canada game on Saturday night on the Bell Centre in Montreal. Their rivalry has transformed International Hockey. Everyone knew how special USA-Canada was, but hockey has never gotten the respect it deserves from those that speak about sports day by day across the national media in the USA until now.
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From the minute the puck dropped on the primary game on Wednesday between Sweden and Canada to Team USA and Finland playing on Thursday, major outlets mentioned how this was higher than what was happening within the NBA with their All-Star Game. Many across the Sports Media thought the NHL canceled their All-Star Game for good.
“I assumed there was true excitement for what’s deemed their All-Star Weekend.”
DP believes the NBA could learn something from the #4Nations Tournament to enhance NBA All-Star Weekend. pic.twitter.com/c9GUAz4yV2
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) February 13, 2025
The 4 Nations Faceoff is a one-off event for the NHL to reintroduce International Hockey before the NHL sends its players to the Olympics in 2026. And there shall be an All-Star Game in 2026 at UBS Arena, so it shouldn’t be gone for good. But it can be interesting to see what the NHL does in 2027.
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But that’s down the road for the NHL to fret about. The very fact of the matter is that the 4 Nations Face-off is a hit for the NHL, and the numbers prove it. The USA vs. Canada game on Saturday night, which was on ABC on a Saturday, drew 4.4 million viewers with a peak of 5.2 million viewers.
Last night’s #4Nations game between the U.S. and Canada averaged 4.4 million viewers within the U.S. on ABC, in keeping with Nielsen fast national data. It peaked at 5.2 million. Most-viewed non-Stanley Cup Final hockey telecast since 2019.
— Alex M. Silverman⚽️ (@AlexMSilverman) February 16, 2025
These numbers piggyback on what happened on the tournament’s opening night: 3.4 million viewers watched Canada and Sweden on TNT. The next night, the USA and Finland game saw 1.4 million viewers. So, the NHL is doing something right on the subject of a high level of play on this tournament. Although some thought the intensity wouldn’t be that top, the standard of play has been outstanding.
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It’s shown by the response of media members from other skilled sports who watched these games.
The NFL has turned the Pro Bowl right into a flag football game
NBA All Stars don’t even break a sweat or play defense of their game
NHL players are throwing haymakers 3 seconds into the #4nations game and it looks just like the Royal Rumble
This game rules
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 16, 2025
4 Nations is one of the best idea hockey has had in a protracted time.
Only thing missing is Doc Emrick on the decision.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 16, 2025
That is the sensation across the National Media within the States. From people who cover the NFL to NBA they see what #4nations is doing for the NHL
NHL Got it Right and everyone seems to be taking notice. It’s the talk of the town https://t.co/rrj4gd1oqC
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) February 16, 2025
When people from the NFL are talking, the 4 Nations Face-off is successful, especially when it involves Team USA and Canada. Even ESPN’s morning show Get Up was talking about hockey. The last time they did that was in the course of the Stanley Cup Final. That’s how much this tournament has put the highlight on the NHL.
The large query is whether or not ESPN can pull rank and simulcast the sport on ABC. But regardless of what, all eyes shall be on Thursday when it Team USA vs. Canada 2.
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