How to Watch the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off

Posted on Feb 12, 2025 by Shauli Zacks

The Four Nations Face-Off is set to shake up the NHL season, bringing a brand-new midseason tournament where the world’s top hockey stars battle for national pride. For the first time in years, NHL teammates will turn into rivals as they represent Canada, the US, Sweden, and Finland in a high-stakes showdown. 

With intense matchups, fast-paced action, and bragging rights on the line, this tournament is a must-watch for any hockey fan. But depending on where you live, catching every game might not be so simple. Read on to find out how to watch the Four Nations Face-Off – and how PIA VPN can make sure you never miss a moment.


How to Watch the 4 Nations Face-Off with a VPN

A VPN prevents local Wi-Fi restrictions at work or school from blocking your sports streaming apps. Follow the steps below to ensure you can watch every goal without interruptions. 

  1. Get PIA VPN and install the app on your streaming device
  2. Connect to a server location that matches your broadcaster. For example, Americans can connect to one of the streaming-optimized servers in the US to watch on YouTube TV. 
  3. GOAL! 

Why you Need a VPN to Watch the 4 Nations Face-Off

A VPN makes it easy to avoid common streaming issues you might encounter while trying to stream the 4 Nations Face-Off. All the streaming platforms that carry the games are only available in select countries, which can be an issue if you’re traveling abroad. A VPN allows you to digitally relocate back to your home country and watch the games on your usual streaming platform. 

It’s also helpful at home. Your internet provider might throttle your internet speeds when it detects streaming activity, causing glitchy playback and buffering. A VPN keeps your online activity private, so not even your ISP can see what you’re doing, and you can stream the games smoothly without buffering. 

How to Watch the 4 Nations Face-Off in the US

The TV coverage in the US is split between ESPN and Turner Sports with games airing on ESPN, ABC, and TNT, and streaming on ESPN+ and Max. The complete 4 Nations Face-Off TV  schedule listed below. 

You can watch every game on any of the platforms below, and all of them come with a free trial for eligible subscribers.

ServiceChannelsFree trial length
DirecTV StreamABC, ESPN, TNT,  TruTV5 days
Hulu + Live TVABC, ESPN, TNT,  TruTV3 days
YouTube TVABC, ESPN, TNT,  TruTVVaries

Sling TV also live streams all the games, but there’s no free trial and you need both the Blue and Orange packages for access to ABC, ESPN, and TNT. It’s a good option if you’re already a Sling subscriber, but it may not be a practical choice if you’re looking for a new platform for streaming the NHL tournament. 

How to Watch the 4 Nations Face-Off in Canada

Canadians can stream the 4 Nations Face-Off in English on Sportsnet+ and in French on TVAS. Each channel will broadcast every game, with a pregame and postgame show to discuss the day’s events. 

How to Stream the 4 Nations Face-Off in Finland

Finnish fans can watch the NHL’s best play for Blue and Yellow on Rutuu+. It will stream the entire tournament, with a focus on the Finnish players. To access the games, you need the Sports plan. 

How to Stream the 4 Nations Face-Off in Sweden

Viaplay holds the broadcast rights for the 4 Nations Face-Off in Sweden, with games airing on TV6. Swedish viewers can watch TV6 for free via Pluto TV or through a Viaplay subscription. It offers both live and on-demand viewing options, accommodating the six-hour time difference between the U.S. and Sweden. 

When Is the 4 Nations Face-Off?

The NHL decided to skip the traditional All Star game this year and replace it with the 4 Nations Face-Off. The tournament takes place between February 12–20, with some games being played at the Bell Centre in Montreal and the others at the TD Garden area in Boston. 

4 Nations Face-Off Schedule

Date and TimeLocationMatchupStreaming Platforms
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 / 8 p.m. ETBell Centre, MontrealCanada vs. SwedenMAX, Sportsnet, TVAS, Rutuu+, Viaplay
Thursday, February 13, 2025 / 8 p.m. ETBell Centre, MontrealUS vs. FinlandESPN+, Sportsnet, TVAS, Rutuu+, Viaplay
Saturday, February 15, 2025 / 1 p.m. ETBell Centre, MontrealFinland vs. SwedenESPN+, Sportsnet, TVAS, Rutuu+, Viaplay
Saturday, February 15, 2025 / 8 p.m. ETBell Centre, MontrealUS vs. CanadaESPN+, Sportsnet, TVAS, Rutuu+, Viaplay
Monday, February 17, 2025 / 1 p.m. ETTD GardenCanada vs. FinlandMAX, Sportsnet, TVAS, Rutuu+, Viaplay
Monday, February 17, 2025 / 8 p.m. ETTD GardenSweden vs. USMAX, Sportsnet, TVAS, Rutuu+, Viaplay
Thursday, February 20, 2025 / 8 p.m. ETTD GardenChampionship GameESPN+, Sportsnet, TVAS, Rutuu+, Viaplay

Why PIA Is the Best VPN to Stream 4 Nations Face-Off

The 4 Nations Face-Off is shaping up to be one of the biggest hockey events of the year, and if you like streaming NHL games, you won’t want to miss it. However, depending on where you are, streaming access might be restricted. That’s where PIA  VPN comes in.

Here’s why PIA VPN is the best choice for streaming the tournament:

  • Access streaming services even while traveling abroad: The streaming platforms that carry the 4 Nations Face-Off are only available in select countries, but if you’re traveling abroad, you can still watch the games with PIA VPN. Connect to a server location in your home country and stream the games as if you never left.  
  • Lightning-fast speeds for buffer-free streaming: PIA is optimized for high-definition streaming, ensuring you can watch every pass, goal, and save without buffering or lag.
  • Avoid ISP Throttling: Your internet provider might slow down your streaming traffic, but PIA encrypts your connection, preventing your ISP from monitoring your activity and selectively throttling you.
  • Stream securely on any device: Whether you’re watching on a smart TV, laptop, or mobile device, PIA works across all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, and even routers.

FAQ

How many games are played in the 4 Nations Face-Off?

The 4 Nations Face-Off features seven games in total. The tournament starts with a six-game round-robin stage, where each team (Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland) plays three games against the others. Points are awarded based on the results, and the top two teams advance to the championship game, a winner-takes-all final to determine the tournament champion.

Who are the favorites in the 4 Nations face off?

Canada has a superstar laden roster with Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon and they are slight favorites to win it all. The US brings a Hart Trophy (MVP) winner and Vezina Trophy (top goalie) in Auston Matthews and Connor Hellebuyck respectively. Sweden and Finland are both considered longshots. 

Does the 4 Nations tournament replace the All-Star Game?

As of now, the 4 Nations is a one-time event that will replace the 2025 All Star Game. The current plan is for it to return in 2026, but that could change based on how the tournament goes.

What teams are in the 4 Nation Face-Off?

The US, Canada, Sweden, and Finland are all represented in the 4 Nation Face-Off. The players were selected from current NHL rosters, so we can see teammates going against each as they play for national pride. 

Can I use a VPN to watch sports events that aren’t available in my country?

Some VPN users may use a server in another country, where certain sports events are available, to watch from their own country. While we cannot see what you are doing online due to our no-logs policy, this goes against our terms of service and is not acceptable.

PIA VPN puts your privacy first and we don’t track our users’ activity. That said, you should always comply with relevant laws, including copyright.