Faceoff: Inside the NHLis a six-part docuseries streaming on Prime Video that dives into the lives of the NHL’s top players, both on and off the ice. One of several newsports documentary showsand featuring stars like Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak, and Matthew Tkachuk, the series provides an intimate look at their journeys through the 2024 postseason, including behind-the-scenes moments from the Edmonton Oilers' and Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup Final run.
Produced by NHL Productions and Box to Box,the team behindFormula 1: Drive to Survive, the series captures the grit, talent, and sacrifice it takes to thrivein the NHL. With unprecedented access to players, their families, and inner circles,Faceoffoffers fans a closer look at the individual personalities driving hockey’s biggest stage.
12William Nylander
Toronto Maple Leafs Forward
William Nylander, a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is featured prominently in the opening episode of the docuseries.The episode offers a glimpse into Nylander’s return to the playoffs after missing three games due to eye migraines. Viewers are given behind-the-scenes footage of his intense performance, including a heated moment where he urges teammate Mitch Marner to“Stop f—–' cryin', bro,”during Game 4 against the Boston Bruins.
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Nylander’s migraines, which began during a regular-season game against the Florida Panthers, were severe enough to affect his vision, contributing to his absence in the series' early stages.Despite this, he led the Leafs' offense upon his return, scoring key goals in critical elimination games.The episode contrasts his everyday life with his playoff intensity, showcasing his dedication to the game and his influence on the Leafs' bench.
11David Pastrnak
The Boston Bruins Forward
David Pastrnak, a forward for the Boston Bruins, plays a significant role in the docuseries, which highlights his long-standing friendship with fellow NHL star William Nylander.The series explores their shared experiences, beginning with their time on the Södertälje SK J20 team in Sweden. It emphasizes how they developed a close bond both on and off the ice while facing personal challenges.
Pastrnak’s move to Sweden at age 16 was difficult, but his chemistry with Nylander became a pivotal aspect of their early careers.
The series also addresses Pastrnak’s profound personal losses, including the death of his father when he was 17 and the tragic loss of his first-born son, Viggo, just six days after birth.He speaks candidly about these challenges, expressing gratitude for his daughter and emphasizing that family is more important than hockey.
10Filip Forsberg
Nashville Predators Forward
Filip Forsberg, a forward for the Nashville Predators, is also featured inFaceoff.The second episode highlights Forsberg’s recovery from a painful foot injury that hindered his performance last season. As the documentary explains, he follows an extremely strict schedule, even when it comes to extremely mundane activities, all for the purpose of preparing himself for hockey.
The episode also covers the birth of Forsberg’s son, Felix, nine days after the Predators' Game 6 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.Forsberg remarked, “That’s the only silver lining of losing in the playoffs,“expressing happiness about being present for his son’s arrival.His wife, Erin Alvey, further shared her fears about the dangers of his profession, recalling the emotional strain of watching him endure injuries.
9Jack Eichel
Vegas Golden Knights Forward
Jack Eichel, a forward for the Vegas Golden Knights, also shares insights into his life off the ice in the docuseries.He discusses his relationship with his longtime girlfriend Erin Basil and their two French Bulldogs.Eichel notes that hockey players tend to be private and that participating in the series required stepping out of their comfort zones. He described the filming experience as interesting, with the crew being easy to work with and focused on capturing authentic moments.
Eichel also talks about his unconventional decision to undergo artificial disk replacement surgery and his subsequent trade to the Knights in November 2021.
The documentary highlights Eichel’s hockey journey, including his time at Piero’s Italian Cuisine with teammates and the significant moments in his career, including winning the Hobey Baker Award, being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, and facing challenges such as being stripped of his captaincy in 2021. Eichel also talks about his unconventional decision to undergo artificial disk replacement surgery and his subsequent trade to the Knights in November 2021. He expressed appreciation for Las Vegas, stating, “I love it here,“and acknowledged the pressure of performance in a competitive environment.
8Matthew Tkachuk
The Florida Panthers Forward
Matthew Tkachuk, forward for the Florida Panthers, is prominently featured in Episode Three of the docuseries, titled “Learning to Win.“The episode showcases Tkachuk’s life off the ice, including his golf cart rides around Fort Lauderdale, his pre-game routine of swimming in the ocean, and a putting contest with his brother Brady. Notably, the episode highlights Tkachuk’s leadership during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. and his interaction with Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, including moments of friendly banter.
7Jeremy Swayman
The Star of The Bruins Goalie
Jeremy Swayman, the Boston Bruins' goaltender, stars in Episode 3, which explores his journey during the 2023-24 season.The episode captures Swayman’s reflections on his future with the Bruins after their season ended.“I mean, I don’t want it to end. This could be the last time I wear a Bruins jersey,”he stated, expressing his determination to remain with the team. Swayman emphasized his commitment to helping the Bruins win, saying,“Whatever I can do to help this team win. I know everything else will take care of itself.”
Swayman’s future with the Bruins is uncertain; if he does not sign by December 1, he will be unable to play for the rest of the season.
The documentary also reveals Swayman’s challenges during the arbitration process, which he described as difficult.“When you go into that room, you don’t say a word. Hearing that you’re not worthy of what you think you’re worthy of, that was hard to hear,”he noted, highlighting the emotional toll of the experience. Swayman’s future with the Bruins is uncertain; if he does not sign by December 1, he will be unable to play for the rest of the season.
6Gabriel Landeskog
The Only Colorado Avalanche
Gabriel Landeskog, the captain of the Colorado Avalanche, is featured in Episode Four ofFaceoff: Inside theNHL,which focuses on his recovery from a knee injury. In the episode, Landeskog expresses his gratitude for wearing the Avalanche jersey, stating, “There’s never been a day where I pulled that jersey over my head and I’m not grateful for it.”The documentary dives into the origins of his injury,which stemmed from a skate cut during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, leading to significant complications over time.
The episode highlights Landeskog’s rehabilitation journey, including the cartilage transplant surgery he underwent in May 2023.While reflecting on the challenges of recovery, he also appreciates the time spent with his wife and young children, capturing a tender moment when his daughter interrupts him during an interview.
5Quinn Hughes
Vancouver Canucks Captain
Quinn Hughes, the captain of the Vancouver Canucks, is also present in the series.The episode opens with Hughes visiting Glory Juice Co., where he maintains ties with the city through a personalized juice blend. Inside his apartment overlooking Rogers Arena, he exemplifies his commitment to hockey by watching NHL games. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet remarks,“He’s a hockey nerd, probably watches hockey 24/7,” emphasizing Hughes’s dedication.
Beyond hockey, Hughes showcases his love for reading, with a bookshelf filled with works by James Patterson and Ken Follett.Teammate Elias Pettersson notes,“I think now when he is the captain, a shift within him happened,”highlighting Hughes’s growth as a leader on and off the ice.
4Jacob Trouba
The New York Rangers Captain
Jacob Trouba, captain of the New York Rangers, explores the challenges of balancing fatherhood with his role in the docuseries.In Episode 4, titled"The Captains,” Trouba emphasizes the importance of prioritizing family amid the pressures of professional hockey.
“When things aren’t going well…that for sure stays at the rink,” he states, highlighting his commitment to being a father.Trouba’s reflections underscore a broader perspective on life beyond sports.He acknowledges,“Life isn’t only about winning and sports,”illustrating his dedication to nurturing his child while navigating the demands of being a captain.
3Connor McDavid
The Edmonton Oilers Captain
Connor McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers, is further featured in the final episode of the docuseries.The episode captures the emotional aftermath of the Oilers' gut-wrenching loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Following the 4-1 defeat, McDavid expresses his frustration, urging his teammates to “dig in” and emphasizing that their performance was “not good enough.”
McDavid, typically reserved, showcases a different side of himself during this critical moment.He reflects,“Do I yell and scream every night? No. Do I pick my spots when my voice is important? Yes.”His candid remarks underscore the immense pressure he feels as a leader, especially after declaring,“Next year, it’s Cup or Bust,” setting high expectations for the team’s future.
