On this President’s Day morning, Mike Golic Jr. and Mike Golic Sr. broke down the Four Nations battle between the USA and Canada, as well as what the NHL can do with this momentum.
The first weekend without NFL football did not disappoint, as sports fans had multiple events to indulge in. However, none captured attention as much as the NHL’s Four Nations Face-Off game between the USA and Canada. The game smashed viewership records, peaking at 5.4 million people viewing in the U.S, making it the highest-viewed hockey game since the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. For GoJo, the real story was about the intensity and passion on display. He shared that the atmosphere was charged from the start, with the U.S. national anthem met with boos which are likely fueled by current events off the ice. The game erupted immediately, with three fights breaking out within the first nine seconds, setting the tone for a heated matchup. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk along with JT Miller were at the center of the early physicality, making it clear that this was more than just another international game. The combination of national pride and the natural rivalry between the U.S. and Canada made the game feel like must-watch hockey. Beyond the score, the energy and competitive fire made for an electric spectacle, reinforcing for GoJo how easy it is to get players fully invested when national pride is on the line.
Is the NHL onto something with its Four Nations concept? 🏒
"Man alive, having just nations war against each other on the court, on the field, and whatever athletic venue you want seems to be the medicine…I do think this is yet another example of it's really easy to get guys to… pic.twitter.com/tftKky8oGB
— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) February 17, 2025
Senior expressed that this level of physicality and emotion was rare for a tournament that technically didn’t have stakes beyond bragging rights. It was the kind of energy people hope for in exhibition games like the NBA All-Star Game but rarely see, maybe not always in the form of fights, but in a way that made the game feel meaningful. It was the action that made you sit up, grab your popcorn, and stay locked in. Beyond the chaos, Team USA’s 3-1 win over Canada carried weight. Sidney Crosby had been 26-0 in international play as the captain of Team Canada before this, making the U.S. victory even more significant. With a late empty-netter sealing the deal, Team USA secured a spot in the championship game.
To grasp the motivation behind the players in the game, Senior quoted a Canadian player who put it best, saying that the moment you put the flag behind something, a switch flips, and the game takes on a whole new meaning. That sentiment rang true throughout the matchup. When it’s USA vs. Canada in hockey, the energy is different, the stakes feel higher and the passion is undeniable. This game had all of that, explained Senior, making it an electric watch from start to finish, with a chance for an even bigger showdown in the final. If things align, the U.S. and Canada could meet again in the championship on American soil in Boston. Senior noted that that kind of rematch would be a must-see hockey game, and given how intense their first meeting was, it’s exactly what fans should be hoping for.
What was the biggest takeaway from the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off? 🏒
“You put the flag behind the meaning of something and guys switches just kind of flip…You wrap yourself in your country's flag, and all of a sudden, it takes on a little more meaning." @golic @mikegolicjr |… pic.twitter.com/rnzx2GgJwf
— DraftKings Network (@DKNetwork) February 17, 2025
GoJo wondered if this tournament format could inspire other leagues to follow suit. While the NFL likely wouldn’t make changes since its Pro Bowl events tend to draw attention regardless, he suggested that other leagues might take notice if the Four Nations Face-Off is a ratings success. If a sport has enough international talent to create competitive rosters, this setup could be a simple way to spark intensity and engagement among players. However, he acknowledged that recreating the same level of passion might not be as easy in other sports. Hockey, in particular, seems to bring out a unique emotional edge when national pride is on the line, making it hard to replicate in different settings. Still, the tournament delivered an exciting weekend of competition, raising questions about whether other leagues might look for ways to capture a similar energy.
Watch or listen to the full show below and tune into GoJo and Golic weekday mornings from 8-10 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Hour 1: NBA All-Stars Shine in San Francisco + Second Half Preview and the latest on Justin Tucker
Hour 2: It’s Mock Draft Szn, Kellen Moore named Saints HC + College Hoops!
VIDEO
Watch GoJo and Golic every weekday on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV and DraftKingsNetwork.com from 8 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is also available via audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Mike Golic Sr. on X at @golic and Mike Golic Jr. on X at @mikegolicjr.
