Why the Blue Jackets aren’t playing for two weeks: 4 Nations Face-Off

BROSSARD, QUEBEC – FEBRUARY 10: Zach Werenski #8 and Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team USA stand in front of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 during practice for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off at CN Sports Complex on February 10, 2025 in Brossard, Quebec. (Photo by Vitor Munhoz/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

by: Orri Benatar

Posted: Feb 12, 2025 / 08:30 AM EST

Updated: Feb 12, 2025 / 08:52 AM EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Blue Jackets, along with the other 31 NHL clubs, are in the midst of a two-week break to make room for a new tournament.

The NHL season will stay paused until Feb. 22 for the 4 Nations Face-Off, a mini tournament pitting four countries against each other. NHL players from Canada, the U.S., Sweden and Finland are teaming up for the tournament that begins Wednesday.

Although some NHL teams have multiple players playing for their countries, the Blue Jackets’ top defenseman is the only player they have playing. Here is what to know about 4 Nations Face-Off.

Why the NHL implemented it

It’s been more than a decade since NHL players have participated in the Winter Olympics, and it returns next year.

The league wanted to build anticipation by forgoing the All-Star Game for the 4 Nations competition. NHL players last played at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Ice hockey play at the 2026 Winter Olympics begins on Feb. 5 on NBC4. The NHL will pause during the two weeks of the Olympics next season like they are for the 4 Nations this year.

Werenski among NHL stars participating

The 2016 World Cup of Hockey was the last time we got to see NHL stars team up for international play, so the 4 Nations Face-Off is the first time many of the new faces of the league are playing for their countries.

Among those new faces is Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, who enters 4 Nations Face-Off with Team USA as a contender for the NHL’s top defenseman award, the Norris trophy. Werenski will be joining American stars such as Auston Matthews, East Palestine, Ohio, native J.T. Miller, and the Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady.

Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar star for the Canadian team alongside veterans including Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand. Sweden and Finland have similar rosters with young attackers and veteran leadership.

4 Nations schedule; next Blue Jackets game

Each of the four teams will play one another over the next six days to complete the round-robin phase. The first four round-robin games will be played in Montreal before the last two are in Boston. The two teams with the most points will play in the final on Feb. 20 in Boston.

The Blue Jackets will resume the regular season on Feb. 22 when they play the Chicago Blackhawks at Nationwide Arena. At the 4 Nations break, the Jackets sit one point outside a wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Wednesday