* Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel helped Team USA earn its second comeback win in an Olympics with NHL players as the United States improved to 2-0-0-0 and created an opportunity to clinch Group C on Sunday.
* Team Finland, which scored 11 goals Saturday, and Team Sweden both picked up wins, but it was Team Slovakia that clinched Group B and a berth in the quarterfinals via goal differential.
* The final round robin contest of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will pit Team USA’s Auston Matthews (TOR) and Team Germany’s Leon Draisaitl (EDM) in a battle between Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winners.
EICHEL HELPS TEAM USA RALLY WITH SECOND STRAIGHT MULTI-POINT GAME
After Team Denmark stormed to an early lead just 1:40 into the contest, Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel (1-1—2) and Senators forward Brady Tkachuk (1-0—1) scored twice in a span of 57 seconds during the middle frame to help Team USA rally to victory and maintain its perfect record through the first two contests of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Team USA recorded its second-ever comeback win at an Olympics with NHL players, following Feb. 18, 2002 (8-1 W vs. BLR).
* Nick Olesen (DEN) and Wild forward Matt Boldy (USA) each scored in the opening 3:35, marking the third-fastest two goals from the start of a game by both teams in an Olympic tournament with NHL players. The only faster pair of goals were scored by Team Russia and Team Kazakhstan on Feb. 13, 1998 (2:15) as well as Team Sweden and Team Czech Republic on Feb. 24, 2006 (3:11).
* Team USA recorded its eighth straight round robin win in Olympics with NHL participation dating to Feb. 16, 2010 – the second-longest run by any nation behind only Team Finland (9 GP from Feb. 16, 2002 – Feb. 19, 2010).
SWEDEN, FINLAND EARN WINS BUT SLOVAKIA CLINCHES GROUP B
In a thrilling final day of round robin action in Group B, Team Sweden defeated Team Slovakia and Team Finland earned a win over Team Italy, but a last-minute goal from Blues rookie and Slovak forward Dalibor Dvorsky at 59:21 of the third period put his country in a position to clinch Group B and a berth into the quarterfinals – a position that was cemented with Team Finland’s regulation win.
* Dvorsky (2-2—4 in 3 GP) and Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovský (3-3—6 in 3 GP) have been the offensive catalysts for Team Slovakia, who placed first in their group at an Olympic Games with NHL players for the second time – they went a perfect 5-0-0 to start the 2006 Olympic Games and claim top spot in Group B.
* Team Sweden received multi-point outings from Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond (1-2—3), Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (2-0—2), Kings forward Adrian Kempe (1-1—2) and Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (0-2—2). Karlsson boosted his all-time totals in Olympics with NHL players to 4-7—11 in nine games. The only defensemen with more: Marek Zidlicky (6-8—14 in 17 GP w/ CZE), Nicklas Lidstrom (4-10—14 in 20 GP w/ SWE), Brian Rafalski (5-8—13 in 17 GP w/ USA), Kimmo Timonen (3-10—13 in 30 GP w/ FIN) and Shea Weber (5-7—12 in 13 GP w/ CAN).
* Stars forward Mikko Rantanen (0-3—3), Kraken forward Kaapo Kakko (2-1—3) and Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen (1-2—3) led the way offensively for Team Finland in an 11-0 victory as they secured second place in Group B. The trio tied the Team Finland benchmark for points in a game during an Olympics with NHL participation.
* Twelve different skaters recorded multiple points for Team Finland, marking the highest total by any team in a single game during an Olympics involving NHL players. The previous benchmark was eight, achieved by Team Canada on Feb. 15, 2006 and Team USA on Feb. 18, 2002.
QUICK CLICKS
* Dans Locmelis becoming ‘part of something big’ for Latvia at Olympics
* Thomas Harley ‘more settled’ with Team Canada at Olympics, playing big role
* Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, France hoping to ‘earn respect’ with Olympic showing
* Mark Streit wants to see more of his Swiss countrymen thrive in NHL
‘ROCKET’ RICHARD WINNERS HEADLINE FINAL DAY OF ROUND ROBIN PLAY
The top seed in Group C will be decided in the final game of the final day of round robin play at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 when Team USA faces Team Germany. Team USA can clinch the top seed in Group C with a victory of any kind or a loss after regulation, while Team Germany would secure top spot with a regulation win.
* The round robin finale will pit two players who have won four of the last five Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies head-to-head when Team USA and Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (2020-21, 2021-22 & 2023-24) faces Team Germany and Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (2024-25).
* The two decorated goal scorers have gone head-to-head in an NHL game 22 times, with Matthews holding the edge in goals (13-11—24; 15-5-2 record) and Draisaitl registering more points (10-15—25; 7-13-2 record).
