4 Nations Face-Off to start as Mika Zibanejad takes on Canada

Wednesday night represents the start of the first best-on-best tournament featuring National Hockey League players, such as Mika Zibanejad, since the World Cup of Hockey 2016.

The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off gets underway when Canada plays Sweden at 8:00 p.m. EST on February 12th. At Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, the matchup will be available via MAX, truTV, TNT, SN and TVAS. Here are a few important notes for New York Rangers' fans to pay attention to during Zibanejad's first appearance in the tournament

"I've said this before, I don't think my personality comes out as clear in English as in Swedish. I think you kind of get to be yourself a little bit more in Swedish. I think you can tell by my face how happy I am to be here ... I feel like a kid again, honestly. Speaking Swedish to my teammates, having meetings in Swedish, it brings you back. I've been away 14 years from Swedish hockey."

Mika Zibanejad after Tuesday's practice

International History between Sweden and Canada

In terms of history, Canada and Sweden have not played in an NHL international tournament (excluding the Olympics or IIHF World Championship) since the semifinals of the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, which resulted in sending Canada to the final with a 3-2 victory. Canada is 8-1-0 against Sweden in NHL international tournaments dating to the 1976 Canada Cup.

Speed of Play

Given the very best players of the NHL will share the ice, the speed of play is expected to be quick right from the first drop of the puck.

Zibanejad himself said this is something he has prepared for.

"I don't think there is any waiting around," Zibanejad said. "I don't think we have time for it. I don't think they have time for it. I'm expecting a high tempo from the start."

Representing Home

At various media availabilities a lot of players participating in 4 Nations have expressed how grateful they are for the opportunity to represent their home nation.

"I've been looking forward to this day and it's finally here," Sweden forward Mika Zibanejad said. "I think there's more jitters going on right now, a lot of excitement. At least for me, if I'm not a little bit nervous I don't think it means a whole lot. I think everyone is nervous, everyone is excited and everyone is ready to go."

Sweden's Projected Lineup

William Nylander — Mika Zibanejad — Rickard Rakell

Filip Forsberg — Elias Pettersson — Adrian Kempe

Jesper Bratt — Joel Eriksson Ek — Lucas Raymond

Gustav Nyquist — Elias Lindholm — Viktor Arvidsson

Victor Hedman — Jonas Brodin

Mattias Ekholm — Erik Karlsson

Rasmus Dahlin — Gustav Forsling

Filip Gustavsson

Linus Ullmark