NHL players have been hankering for a best-on-best tournament for nearly a decade. Their desires were finally met this year with the 4 Nations Face-Off featuring the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland.

The 4 Nations Face-Off has been fantastic. Not just as an alternative to a relatively meh All-Star weekend, but just generally speaking, we've gotten some good, competitive hockey. It all comes to a head on Thursday when the United States and Canada play for a second time in the competition's championship game.

The 4 Nations Face-Off has been a resounding success, attracting massive viewership and surprising cultural relevance, which has extended to the sports betting realm.

Friend to friend, let's get you caught up quickly and easily ahead of the U.S. and Canada's final battle Thursday night.