How significant is the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off final? So significant that ESPN dedicated a considerable portion of its Thursday morning programming to discussing hockey. Both Get Up and First Take featured multiple live segments with P.K. Subban, amid a backdrop of Stephen A. Smith arguing with Chris Canty about the Cowboys.
During his appearance on Get Up, Subban shared his thoughts on the final showdown between the United States and Canada, referencing last year’s Stanley Cup Final Game 7 between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. “The thickest part of the culture, the fabric of our sport in hockey is the team aspect of it. It’s about the team. And no one’s bigger than the game,” Subban stated. He emphasized that players are aware of the significance of this moment, expressing how the current game transcends even last year’s Stanley Cup matchups. “The whole world will be watching tonight. They’re going to leave it all on the ice. It’s going to be a tremendous show,” he remarked.
The former NHL defenceman and Toronto native made an enthusiastic pitch for Thursday night’s final airing on ESPN: “I’m going to tell you this: buckle up, strap in, pack a lunch, dinner, breakfast for tomorrow morning. Whatever you need to do to get ready for 8:00 tonight. ‘Cause it’s all going to boil over. It’s going to be awesome.”
“People are saying that this game is bigger than the Stanley Cup game last year and any Stanley Cup game that we’re going to see this year. … Buckle up.”
—@PKSubban1 on Team USA facing Canada in a winner-take-all in the 4 Nations Face-Off 🍿 pic.twitter.com/DdWPNMSTjG
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 20, 2025
While P.K. Subban didn’t explicitly endorse the concept of the 4 Nations Face-Off being more significant than the Stanley Cup Final, he didn’t dismiss it either. The mere fact that this comparison is being made is noteworthy. Ultimately, the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off has been nothing short of a success, especially when contrasted with the NBA’s disastrous All-Star Weekend. Thursday’s final is expected to achieve its highest viewership yet, further solidifying its status as hockey’s preeminent event.
