* Auston Matthews (TOR) and Team USA defeated reigning Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy-winner Leon Draisaitl (EDM) and Team Germany to secure first place in Group C.
* Team Canada’s forward trio of Sidney Crosby (PIT), Connor McDavid (EDM) and Macklin Celebrini (SJS) each put up three points and helped set a new Team Canada record for goals in an Olympic game with NHL participation en route to clinching the first seed in the knockout stage.
* Four teams earned a bye into the quarterfinals Wednesday, including two who won their preliminary round Sunday: Team Canada and Team USA.
MATTHEWS, BLUELINE HELP TEAM USA CLAIM FIRST IN GROUP C
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (2-1—3) factored on three goals, including netting the winner, and Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk posted a multi-point performance as Team USA defeated Germany and finished atop Group C. The United States won all of its games in the round robin of an Olympic year with NHL involvement for the second time (also 2010).
* Matthews became the fifth American with multiple power-play goals in an Olympic tournament with NHL players, joining Brian Gionta (3 in 2006), Brian Rolston (3 in 2006), Zach Parise (2 in 2010) and John LeClair (2 in 2002).
* Tkachuk recorded his fifth assist in Milan and tied Brett Hull (5 in 2002) and Brian Leetch (5 in 2002) for the second-highest total by a Team USA player in Olympics involving NHL players, behind James van Riemsdyk (6 in 2014) and Mike Modano (6 in 2002).
* Matthews and Tkachuk weren’t the only ones to put up offense for Team USA: Wild blueliner Quinn Hughes (0-1—1) was one of five defensemen to find the score sheet for the country Sunday. Hughes recorded his fourth assist in Milan, which is tied for the second most by an American blueliner in an Olympic tournament with NHL players. He also matched the longest assist streak by an American at an Olympics with NHL participation (3 GP).-15064942.png)
TEAM CANADA, SWITZERLAND FINISH GROUP A IN FIRST AND SECOND, RESPECTIVELY
Team Canada closed round robin play undefeated and clinched the No. 1 seed ahead of the quarterfinals, while Team Switzerland ended 1-1-1-0 and finished second in Group A after a win over Team Czechia in overtime.
* Team Canada scored 10 times to set a team record for goals in an Olympic game with NHL players and received notable contributions from Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (1-2—3), Oilers captain Connor McDavid (1-2—3) and Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini (2-1—3). Crosby recorded his 15th career point at Olympics with NHL participation and passed Jarome Iginla (14) for the most by a Team Canada skater, while McDavid (2-7—9 in 3 GP) set a new benchmark for most points through three games of an Olympic tournament with NHL players and passed Jonathan Toews (2010: 1-7—8 in 7 GP) for the most points by a Team Canada skater at an Olympic tournament with NHL players.
* Celebrini’s first goal of the game made him the first NHL player to score a penalty-shot goal at the Olympics and just the third to score one at an Olympics with NHL participation, following Evgeny Koreshkov (Feb. 21, 2006 w/ KAZ) and Andrejs Maticins (Feb. 14, 2002 w/ LAT). His second goal of the day boosted his totals in Milan to 4-2—6, which tied Evgeni Malkin (2006: 2-4—6 in 7 GP w/ RUS) for the most points by a teenager at an Olympic tournament with NHL players.
* With his team trailing 1-0 in the second period, Swiss captain Roman Josi (1-1—2) deflected a David Pastrnak (0-1—1) shot wide to rob him of an open net and proceeded to tally two points before the intermission to put Team Switzerland ahead. Team Czechia then tied the game twice in the third period, including a marker by Avalanche forward Martin Nečas (1-2—3) – who factored on all three Czech goals Sunday – with 2:06 remaining in regulation to force the first overtime contest of these Olympics. In the extra frame, former NHLer Dean Kukan became the second defenseman to score an overtime goal at Olympics with NHL players, following Drew Doughty with Team Canada during the 2014 round robin.
* Josi, who also wears the “C” for the Predators and is the highest-scoring Swiss player in NHL history, was one of three players with multiple points Sunday for Team Switzerland, following team scoring leaders Timo Meier (1-1—2) of the Devils and J.J. Moser (0-2—2) of the Lightning. Their victory secured second place in Group A, matching their best finish in group play at Olympics with NHL players (also 2nd in 2014 & 2006).
QUICK CLICKS
* Kaapo Kakko feels ‘the confidence growing’ at Olympics with Team Finland
* Team Czechia has more difficult path to Olympic medal after ‘tough loss’
* Team Canada provides plenty of passion in latest Olympic win against France
* Elmo interviews Tkachuk brothers at 2026 Olympics
* NHL Unites Vancouver And Seattle LGBTQ+ Teams For Third Annual NHL Pride Cup
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE KNOCKOUT STAGE
After a one-day break, the men’s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will continue Tuesday with the Qualification Playoffs. #NHLStats will preview each contest in the Feb. 16 edition of the NHL Morning Skate from Milan, and cover each in real-time in #NHLStats: Live Updates from Milan.
* Team Czechia vs. Team Denmark: This will mark their third all-time meeting at the Olympics but first with NHL participation. It will also mark the first time the two countries clash in the knockout stage at the Olympics. The winner of this matchup will face No. 1 seed Team Canada in the quarterfinals.
* Team Sweden vs. Team Latvia: This will mark their third all-time meeting in Olympics with NHL participation – Sweden has won both of the previous matches (2014 & 2006). The winner will advance to face No. 2 seed Team USA in the quarterfinals.
* Team Germany vs. France: This will mark the second all-time meeting between Germany and France at the Olympics with NHL players involved. Germany won their lone matchup, a 2-0 victory against France in the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics. The winner of this contest will face No. 3 seed Team Slovakia in the quarterfinals.
* Team Switzerland vs. Team Italy: This will mark their second meeting at an Olympics with NHL participation after the two countries recorded a 3-3 draw in the preliminary round of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics. The winner of this matchup will face No. 4 seed Team Finland in the quarterfinals.
