Through the first two games of the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off, it’s already a superior alternative to the All-Star Game.
While the mini-tournament provides a showcase of what’s to come from the U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland in the 2026 Winter Olympics, as NHL players make their return after a 12-year absence, it also brings a slightly different point-system for results.
In the NHL, a regulation or overtime/shootout win gets you two points, an overtime/shootout loss awards one point, and a team gets nothing for a regulation loss.
The 4 Nations Face-Off is slated little different, but significant, awarding three points for a regulation win.
Canada got two points for beating Sweden in overtime after losing a lead, but the U.S. took the early lead in the standings with three points after blowing out Finland.
The NHL should adopt the three points for a regulation win and perhaps 4 Nations this is a testing ground for it.
That extra point could have a big impact on the playoff picture come April, incentivizing teams to win games in 60 minutes, and not settling for a chance to win in overtime.
Sean Gallagher 
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