After 12 years, NHL players are finally competing in the Olympics once again in 2026. Here’s how each team’s first games in Italy went.
USA vs. Latvia
It wasn’t the start the USA expected, but the Americans ended up with an unsurprising 5-1 final score against Latvia.
The USA scored three goals in the first period, but two were called back after successful coach’s challenges.
Latvian goalie Elvis Merzļikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets struggled in the second period however, allowing three more goals, and Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Artūrs Šilovs replaced him to start the third.
Brock Nelson, one of the more highly debated selections on the U.S. roster, proved himself with two goals in the opening game, while Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes and Matthew Tkachuk each walked away with a pair of assists.
The USA’s next game is on Saturday when it takes on Denmark — and with recent political between the two countries, it’s sure to be a good one.
Canada vs. Czechia
Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon did not disappoint in their Olympic debut, with each contributing offensively to Canada’s 5-0 win over Czechia.
That was always expected from the NHL’s two leading scorers, but nobody knew what to expect from Jordan Binnington, whose current season with the St. Louis Blues has been his worst since becoming a permanent NHL goalie.
He proved at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off that he’s cool under pressure, and he showed it again on Thursday with a shutout against a Czech team that includes the likes of David Pastrňák and Martin Nečas.
At this point in the tournament, Canada is the team to beat.
Czechia’s Radim Simek tries to block a shot by Canada’s Connor McDavid during a preliminary round match of men’s ice hockey between Czech Republic and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) | AP
Sweden vs. Italy
Italy’s Damian Clara was a little-known name in the hockey world just days ago, but now he’s the center of attention.
He saved 46 of 49 shots in the 46 minutes he played against Sweden before leaving with a lower-body injury, though Sweden broke an era record with 60 shots on net in its 5-2 win.
Italy doesn’t have a single NHL player on its roster, while Sweden has nothing but NHL players. The host country is the underdog of all underdogs, but the team proved that it’s not just going to roll over.
Finland vs. Slovakia
Utah Mammoth defenseman Olli Määttä skated in his first hockey game of 2026, suiting up for Finland in its 4-1 loss to Slovakia.
It was the first game of the tournament, and the first upset. Juraj Slafkovský of the Montreal Canadiens had a big showing for Slovakia, tallying two goals and three points.
In 2022, Slafkovský’s draft stock skyrocketed when he was named the 2022 Olympic MVP after leading the tournament in scoring as a 17-year-old. The Montreal Canadiens ended up selecting him first overall, and he’s now just shy of a point per game in the NHL.
Germany vs. Denmark
Mammoth forward JJ Peterka registered his first point as an Olympian — an assist on one of Tim Stützle’s goals — in Germany’s 3-1 win over Denmark on Thursday.
Germany is not a powerhouse, but it has enough talent on its roster to make some noise. Without NHL players present in 2018, it shocked the hockey world with a silver-medal effort.
Switzerland vs. France
Switzerland doesn’t produce as many NHL players as some of the other teams in the tournament, but many of the ones that do come from there are arguably good enough to make any team.
New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier showed up big in this one, scoring two goals en route to a 4-0 win over France.
Former Utah Hockey Clubber JJ Moser, whom they traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of the Mikhail Sergachev deal, scored in the game, as did Swiss League standout Damien Riat.
Switzerland is far from being a favorite in this tournament, but don’t count the Swiss out.
