USA vs. Finland: NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Picks, Projections, Preview

The NHL has done well in finding ways to innovate its All-Star Weekend, giving us the 4 Nations Face-Off. This isn’t just another All-Star Game; the USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden will compete in a tournament over eight days to determine the best nation in hockey.

Tonight, Team USA will debut in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland at 8 p.m. ET in Montreal, Canada, with the game broadcast on ESPN. Below, we’ll give you the top NHL 4 Nations picks, player projections, and a preview for USA vs. Finland for NHL DFS on PrizePicks.

The best way to get real-money action for the 4 Nations Face-Off is on PrizePicks. Just pick More or Less on player projections like points or shots on goal during 4 Nations, and cash out if your picks are correct.

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The 4 Nations Face-Off will be done in a traditional Round Robin format, where each team will face each other. The two teams with the most points after the Round Robin will face off in a one-game championship;

Here is the points format for 4 Nations Face-Off:

• 3 points for a win in regulation time
• 2 points for a win in overtime/shootout 
• 1 point for a loss in overtime/shootout 
• 0 points for a loss in regulation time

Let’s get into the top picks, analysis, and a full preview for USA vs. Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off on PrizePicks.

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USA vs. Finland: 4 Nations Preview

Finland already comes into this game with a big disadvantage on the blue line, with Miro Heiskanen out with an injury. He was one of the stand-out defensemen on a unit that looks like one of the weakest in this tournament.

This will put a lot of pressure on goaltending, which already has some inefficiencies. Juuse Saros has dealt with bad protection on the Predators and is having one of his worst seasons with .898 SV% and 2.95 GAA.

Finland must rely heavily on its forward units to keep them in contention and score goals. Aleksander Barkov and Sebastian Aho are the best puck facilitators for Finland and can both potentially get time on the first line. Finland will need to give Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen plenty of opportunities to score; it’s likely that those two will play a lot together as they were former teammates in Colorado.

The USA is one of the more complete teams in 4 Nations, with a mix of offensive stars, a physical blue line, and top-of-the-line goaltending. 

The first line of forwards looks to be Matthew Tkachuk, Jack Eichel, and Kyle Connor. All three players can score and facilitate — as they’re both top 25 in points in the NHL this season — so we'll see how well they play off each other. It’s just as tough when you are at the potential second line featuring Jake Guentzel, Devils’ leading scorer Jack Hughes, and former Hart Trophy winner Auston Matthews. 

Protecting the net is reigning Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. He could win back-to-back awards as he leads the NHL in wins (34), goals allowed per game (2.07), and goals saved above expected (27.8) at this point in the season. 

If the USA slumps on offense at any point in this tournament, he alone could keep them in contention.

4 Nations Picks for PrizePicks: USA vs. Finland

Here are four player picks for the 4 Nations Face-Off on PrizePicks today. Use these players to build your Lineups on PrizePicks for the USA vs. Finland matchup. 

USA F Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews is one of the top goal scorers in the NHL, with 20 goals so far this season for Toronto. His 89 goals since the start of the 2023-24 season are the most in the NHL, and he has had two 60-goal seasons in his career. 

He’s coming into the 4 Nations Face-Off in a slump, as he hasn’t scored in six straight games. However, Matthews has been known to go on streaks; before the six-game drought, he had a goal in seven of the previous eight in NHL action.

In 4 Nations, Matthews is expected to play on the second line with Kyle Connor and Jack Hughes. Team USA could have a lot of success against Finland’s below-average blue line and a struggling goalie in Juuse Saros, who will start for Finland and has given up 3.8 goals per game in his last five games in NHL action.

4 Nations PrizePicks Projection: Auston Matthews 3.5 Shots on Goal

USA F Matthew Tkachuk

USA F Matthew Tkachuk could set the tone on the first line for Team USA. He is one of the better puck handlers, and he’ll be the guy who takes the puck to the offensive zone and sets up the offense.

He was the Panthers' best player during their championship run last year, leading the team with 16 assists in the NHL Playoffs. Given how deep this roster is with scorers, Tkachuk just needs to give those guys the opportunity to get shots off.

4 Nations PrizePicks Projection: Matthew Tkachuk 2 Shots on Goal

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Finland F Mikko Rantanen

If Finland wants to win this tournament, Finland F Mikko Rantanen needs to get hot. He is their best forward on this roster, coming off two consecutive 100-point seasons in the NHL. 

This year, when he played for Colorado, he had 64 points in 49 games, but he’s had trouble adjusting since the trade, with two points in six games with Carolina so far.

This is an excellent opportunity for him to get back on track in 4 Nations, especially because Finland will look at him as their best scoring option.

Rantanen will play on the Finland first line alongside Artturi Lehkonen and Aleksander Barkov.

4 Nations PrizePicks Projection: Mikko Rantanen 2.5 Shots on Goal

Finland F Sebastian Aho 

Finland F Sebastian Aho is one of the more versatile players in the Finland lineup. He’s a fast and aggressive skater, so if he gets a breakaway, he can put the puck in the back of the net. He's also an incredible passer, with 35 assists in the NHL this season. With all Finland's talent on offense, he has no problem helping someone else light the lamp.

Aho is expected to play as the central piece in Finland’s second line with Roope Hintz and Patrik Laine, but Aho could have a chance to get a lot of ice time and play on different combinations. Aho could play a large part on Finland’s offense during this entire tournament.

4 Nations PrizePicks Projection: 2 Shots on Goal

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Win Real Money on 4 Nations on PrizePicks

Team USA gets into action in the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday with a matchup against Finland. The best way to get real money action on the 4 Nations Face-Off throughout the tournament is on PrizePicks.

Just pick more or less on player projections — like points or shots on goal — and lock in your Lineup to get in on the action. If your picks are correct, you’ll get paid out within minutes after the USA vs. Finland game.

Come back to the Playbook throughout the 4 Nations Face-Off and the NHL season for more hockey analysis for your PrizePicks and NHL DFS Lineups.