The 4 Nations Face-Off was a game-changer. How will the NHL capitalize on it -- and what comes next for its midseason events?

Either the U.S. or Canada claims the championship of the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off midseason tournament Thursday — but the league has already won. Why it matters: The tournament has delivered everything All-Star Games across sports have come to lack: The players care,

Canada has beaten Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off in an overtime thriller, 3-2, Thursday night in Boston. Connor McDavid scored the game winner to become a national hero and hockey legend. After dropping the first meeting against Team USA on Saturday in Montreal,

Canada’s men’s hockey team defeated the USA 3-2 in overtime Thursday to capture the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off Championship as the NHL put on a show in the first edition of this midseason international tournament.

The result was the culmination of a midseason tournament that featured stars from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States — and a surprisingly political atmosphere.

How well did the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off perform? Well enough to make hockey look great. And to make it look bad. Via FrontOfficeSports.com, the game between the U.S. and Canada attracted an average audience of 9.

The NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off came to a thrilling close on Thursday night. The United States and Canada played a tremendous championship game that went to overtime and Connor McDavid was the hero for Canada.