MacKinnon, along with Cale Makar and Devon Toews, had the opportunity to play for Canada in a best-on-best men’s tournament for the first time at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. He had the chance to play with his childhood idol-turned-friend Sidney Crosby in games that matter for the first time. He also didn’t let down 8-year-old Nathan MacKinnon.

When they played “O Canada” for the second time, there were no American fans left in the arena to boo. Instead, the Canadian team stood at the blue line, arm in arm, player and coach, wearing their championship hats while the maple leaf flag was lowered behind the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy and the national anthem reverberated across

Canada's Sidney Crosby (87) battles for a rebound in front of United States goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) as Brock Faber (14) and Jaccob Slavin (74) defend during third period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP) AP

The United States and Canada met in the 4 Nations Face-Off title game at TD Garden in Boston. WBZ-TV's Brandon Truitt spoke with fans about the excitement.

Canadian fans booed the American national anthem when the teams met in a round-robin match in Montreal, which was followed by three fights in the first nine seconds of the game.