The NHL is taking a break in February to play the international 4 Nations Face-Off featuring league players from the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden.
Each country has named its first six players and the rest of the 23-player rosters (20 skaters, three goaltenders) will be named a month from now between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2.
So far only one goaltender has been named – the Nashville Predators’ Juuse Saros by Team Finland – meaning 11 more need to be named by the deadline. Players must be on NHL rosters by Dec. 2 to be included.
United States
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
Analysis: An injury to Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, who has yet to play this season, takes a key player out of the mix. But goaltending will be a strength for the United States if this is the trio. Hellebuyck is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and helped the Jets to a franchise-best 8-0 start this season. He leads the league with seven victories. Oettinger has led the Stars to the Western Conference final the past two seasons and has a 1.84 goals-against average and .938 save percentage this season. Swayman had a playoff-best .933 save percentage last season. Hellebuyck is the likely No. 1 choice.
Other options: Charlie Lindgren, Washington; Joey Daccord, Seattle
Finland
Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators
Justus Annunen, Colorado Avalanche
Kevin Lankinen, Vancouver Canucks
Analysis: Two-time All-Star Saros could get most or all of the starts at the tournament, and Buffalo’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen likely will be chosen, though Annunen’s and Lankinen’s numbers are better at the moment. Annunen is getting starts because of the struggles of Alexandar Georgiev and Lankinen is stepping up in the absence of Demko. Finland is known for producing NHL-caliber goalies and that will be a strength in February.
Other options: Luukkonen
Sweden
Linus Ullmark, Ottawa Senators
Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild
Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils
Analysis: Ullmark gets the No. 1 nod as the 2022-23 Vezina Trophy winner. Gustavsson has one regulation loss and a .922 save percentage early this season for the strong starting Wild. Markstrom has had ups and downs this season after his trade to New Jersey, but he has five wins and a shutout.
Other options: Samuel Ersson, Philadelphia
Canada
Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues
Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights
Stuart Skinner, Edmonton Oilers, or Sam Montembeault, Montreal Canadiens
Analysis: Binnington (2019) and Hill (2023) won Stanley Cups and Skinner reached the Stanley Cup Final last season, but generally Canada is considered to have the weakest goaltending of the tournament. Hill and Skinner have inflated numbers this season, and as of Wednesday, no Canadian starting goaltender had a goals-against average below 3.00. Montembeault drew a lot of talk after a 48-save shutout in the opener, but he has dropped off. He could get the nod because he helped Canada win the 2023 world championships.
Other options: Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles, a 2022 Stanley Cup winner
When is the 4 Nations Face-Off?
The tournament will be played from Feb. 12-20 at Montreal’s Bell Centre and Boston’s TD Garden.
4 Nations Face-Off schedule
(Times p.m. ET)
Wednesday, Feb. 12: Canada vs. Sweden at Montreal, 8, TNT
Thursday, Feb. 13: USA vs. Finland at Montreal, 8, ESPN
Saturday, Feb. 15: Finland vs. Sweden at Montreal, 1, ABC
Saturday, Feb. 15: USA vs. Canada at Montreal, 8, ABC
Monday, Feb. 17: Canada vs. Finland at Boston, 1, TNT
Monday, Feb. 17: Sweden vs. USA at Boston, 8, TNT
Thursday, Feb. 20: Championship game at Boston, 8, ESPN
