The recent 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between Team USA and Team Canada captivated audiences, drawing a record-breaking 9.3 million viewers in the United States, according to ESPN. This makes it the most-watched NHL game on record since Nielsen began tracking viewership in 1994, surpassing even Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup final. The intense rivalry between the two teams, fueled by previous on-ice altercations and a controversial rendition of the U.S. national anthem, undoubtedly contributed to the heightened interest.

The thrilling match, held at Boston's TD Garden, culminated in an overtime victory for Canada, with Connor McDavid scoring the decisive goal. This win further solidifies Canada's dominance in head-to-head matchups against the U.S., extending their record to 14-4-1 in best-on-best competitions. While the Americans emerged victorious in their previous encounter, they haven't managed consecutive wins against their northern rivals since 1996.

Despite the loss, the tournament's success has injected renewed energy into the sport. The high viewership numbers, exceeding initial expectations, demonstrate the enduring appeal of this international hockey rivalry. Although the 2010 Olympic gold medal game still holds the overall viewership record with over 27 million viewers, the 4 Nations Face-Off championship's record-breaking numbers signify a resurgence in hockey's popularity.