4 Nations Face-Off Odds & Favorites: Canada the Pre-Tournament Choice

For the first time in nine years, the best players in the NHL will compete in a tournament for their respective countries.

(But only players from Canada, the U.S., Finland or Sweden.)

The 4 Nations Face-Off invades Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston from Feb. 12-20, 2025, and will pit the top forwards, defensemen and goaltenders from four of the most renowned hockey nations in the planet in a round-robin showdown.

The top two teams will then face off in a one-game final.

Our best sportsbooks are all over this one, offering odds across a variety of markets well ahead of the tournament opener.

4 Nations Face-Off game odds, betting lines

(Odds from our best sports betting apps as of Oct. 2; all times displayed in Eastern Time)

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Canada vs. Sweden, 8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 13

USA vs. Finland, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15

Finland vs. Sweden, 1 p.m.

Canada vs. USA, 8 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 17

Canada vs. Finland, 1 p.m.

USA vs. Sweden, 8 p.m.

4 Nations Face-Off odds 2025

(4 Nations Face-Off odds as of Oct. 2)

The early odds suggest that Canada and the United States are headed for a hotly anticipated final showdown – made even more attractive by the fact that we haven't seen a best-vs.-best hockey tournament of any kind since the 2016 World Cup of hockey.

The implied probability gap between the top two and bottom two countries is significant, but the nature of events like these certainly favor a value bet on the underdogs. Anything can happen in a one-game encounter, especially when you consider that all four teams will feature elite NHL talent.

That much is evident when looking at the initial six-player rosters that each country was required to provide by June 28. We're expected to see the rest of each team's roster between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2.

4 Nations Face-Off favorites

Canada (+135)

(Rosters and odds as of Oct. 2)

The initial six-man Canadian roster goes a long way toward explaining why this team is the early favorite.

You're looking at a six-man unit that has combined for six Hart Trophies, seven scoring titles, eight Stanley Cups, and a Norris Trophy. Canada will be flush with offensive talent up front, along with the best puck-moving blue-liner in the league in Makar.

The biggest question mark will be in goal, where there is no Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy or Carey Price-caliber option available. The battle to be No. 1 – at least based on the current odds – sees Vegas Golden Nights veteran Adin Hill, St. Louis Blues starter Jordan Binnington and Edmonton Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner all even at +162 to earn the top job.

It's difficult to know just how much the lack of elite goaltending will matter – but you can be sure that Canada's impressive roster of skaters will do everything it can to ensure that it doesn't.

Odds: +135 | Implied probability: 42.55%

USA (+175)

Rolling out six sensational players in the prime of their careers as the core of their roster is a heck of a flex by the Americans.

But that's the thing about this U.S. side: Not only is it deeper than it has ever been, but the majority of players who will suit up are young, hungry, and supremely talented. Expect the expanded list to include Hughes' uber-talented New Jersey Devils brother Jack, his Canucks teammates J.T. Miller, Matthew Tkachuk's truculent Ottawa Senators sibling Brady, and net fillers Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars and Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres.

The U.S. also has a notable edge in goal – though there are major question marks as of now.

Expect to see Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets as the No. 1 option, while Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks and Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins are supremely capable secondary options. But with Demko dealing with a serious knee injury and Swayman still unsigned, it's hard to say how things will crystalize behind Hellebuyck.

Odds: +175 | Implied probability: 36.36%

4 Nations Face-Off underdog

Sweden (+490)

You can be certain that the Swedish roster is going to make life quite miserable for opposing forwards.

Any defense corps boasting a pair of elite puck-movers in Hedman and Karlsson, along with a Stanley Cup-winning lynch pin in Forsling, will be well-positioned to grind out positive results. Add in the likely inclusions of former No. 1 pick Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres and Stanley Cup finalist Mattias Ekholm of the Edmonton Oilers, and defensive prowess is clearly a strength of this team.

That's going to loom especially large for a Swedish team that might have trouble keeping up offensively with the North American clubs.

Adding Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks, Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings and Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings will help, and the rest of Sweden's forward additions should contribute, as well. But there's not nearly the same level of scoring depth here, and though Linus Ullmark and Jacob Markstrom should fare well in goal, it's hard to see this team doing enough to make it to the final.

Odds: +490 | Implied probability: 16.95%

4 Nations Face-Off long shot

Finland (+700)

Finland's top-end talent is among the best in the world.

Rolling out an initial six-man roster that includes a reigning Stanley Cup champ and two-time Selke Trophy winner (Barkov), a two-time 100-point scorer (Rantanen), a pair of NHL blue-liners who are a combined plus-66 over the past two seasons (Heiskanen and Lindell), and the goalie who has led the NHL in saves in two straight years (Saros) is a real luxury.

The issue with the Finns is the drop-off. After Roope Hintz, the remaining forward group takes a major hit when compared to the other three teams in the tourney. The defensive depth is sorely lacking, and the three most likely options in net behind Saros (Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Kaapo Kahkonen, Ville Husso) all have major question marks.

Finland might steal a win, but even in a short round-robin, this team is the most likely to be overmatched.

Odds: +700 | Implied probability: 12.5%

4 Nations Face-Off round-robin points odds

(Odds as of Oct. 2)

Teams earn three points for a regulation victory, two points for an overtime win, one point for an OT loss and zero points for a regulation defeat.

4 Nations Face-Off: Team captain odds

Canada

(Odds as of Oct. 2)

With respect to McDavid, Marchand and the others, could this honor really go to anyone but Sid? Now in the twilight of a phenomenal career, this might be Crosby's last chance to wear the Canadian flag at a best-on-best event. I don't see anyone wresting the C from him.

USA

This is easily the most fascinating (and wide-open) captain market on the board. You could make a compelling case for a handful of players on this list; Tkachuk is my top value play given the outstanding leadership he has provided the Stanley Cup champions.

Sweden

Is Karlsson worth a look? I might have thought so before the Lightning handed Hedman the C following the off-season departure of Steven Stamkos. Sweden would be wise to lean on Hedman in the same role, though pivoting to Karlsson would also be a strong option.

Finland

This should be settled quickly, given how pivotal Barkov has been at helming the most successful NHL franchise of the past two seasons. Rantanen wouldn't be a bad choice, but he's not the best one.

4 Nations Face-Off FAQs

When does the 4 Nations Face-Off take place?

The 4 Nations Face-Off takes place Feb. 2-10, with games split between Montreal's Bell Centre and Boston's TD Garden.

What countries are in the 4 Nations Face-Off?

Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland are the participating countries at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Who is the 4 Nations Face-Off favorite?

Canada is the pre-tournament favorite to win the 4 Nations Face-Off at +135.

How are points awarded in the 4 Nations Face-Off?

Teams are given three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime victory, and one point for an OT loss.

When will the 4 Nations Face-Off rosters be announced?

The remainder of the 4 Nations Face-off rosters are expected to be revealed between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2.

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