Golden Knights ahead Jack Eichel helped Group USA earn its second comeback win in an Olympics with NHL gamers as the USA improved to 2-0-0-0 and created a chance to clinch Group C on Sunday.* Group Finland, which scored 11 targets Saturday, and Group Sweden each picked up wins, nevertheless it was Group Slovakia that clinched Group B and a berth within the quarterfinals through purpose differential.
* The ultimate spherical robin contest of the Olympic Winter Video games Milano Cortina 2026 will pit Group USA’s Auston Matthews (TOR) and Group 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 Group Denmark stormed to an early lead simply 1:40 into the competition, Golden Knights ahead Jack Eichel (1-1—2) and Senators ahead Brady Tkachuk (1-0—1) scored twice in a span of 57 seconds in the course of the center body to assist Group USA rally to victory and keep its excellent file by the primary two contests of the Olympic Winter Video games Milano Cortina 2026. Group USA recorded its second-ever comeback win at an Olympics with NHL gamers, following Feb. 18, 2002 (8-1 W vs. BLR).
* Nick Olesen (DEN) and Wild ahead Matt Boldy (USA) every scored within the opening 3:35, marking the third-fastest two targets from the beginning of a sport by each groups in an Olympic match with NHL gamers. The one sooner pair of targets had been scored by Group Russia and Group Kazakhstan on Feb. 13, 1998 (2:15) in addition to Group Sweden and Group Czech Republic on Feb. 24, 2006 (3:11).
* Group USA recorded its eighth straight spherical robin win in Olympics with NHL participation relationship to Feb. 16, 2010 – the second-longest run by any nation behind solely Group Finland (9 GP from Feb. 16, 2002 – Feb. 19, 2010).
SWEDEN, FINLAND EARN WINS BUT SLOVAKIA CLINCHES GROUP B
In an exciting ultimate day of spherical robin motion in Group B, Group Sweden defeated Group Slovakia and Group Finland earned a win over Group Italy, however a last-minute purpose from Blues rookie and Slovak ahead Dalibor Dvorsky at 59:21 of the third interval put his nation ready to clinch Group B and a berth into the quarterfinals – a place that was cemented with Group Finland’s regulation win.
* Dvorsky (2-2—4 in 3 GP) and Canadiens ahead Juraj Slafkovský (3-3—6 in 3 GP) have been the offensive catalysts for Group Slovakia, who positioned first of their group at an Olympic Video games with NHL gamers for the second time – they went an ideal 5-0-0 to start out the 2006 Olympic Video games and declare high spot in Group B.
* Group Sweden acquired multi-point outings from Pink Wings ahead Lucas Raymond (1-2—3), Canucks ahead Elias Pettersson (2-0—2), Kings ahead Adrian Kempe (1-1—2) and Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (0-2—2). Karlsson boosted his all-time totals in Olympics with NHL gamers to 4-7—11 in 9 video games. The one defensemen with extra: 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 ahead Mikko Rantanen (0-3—3), Kraken ahead Kaapo Kakko (2-1—3) and Avalanche ahead Artturi Lehkonen (1-2—3) led the best way offensively for Group Finland in an 11-0 victory as they secured second place in Group B. The trio tied the Group Finland benchmark for factors in a sport throughout an Olympics with NHL participation.
* Twelve completely different skaters recorded a number of factors for Group Finland, marking the very best whole by any workforce in a single sport throughout an Olympics involving NHL gamers. The earlier benchmark was eight, achieved by Group Canada on Feb. 15, 2006 and Group USA on Feb. 18, 2002.
QUICK CLICKS
* Dans Locmelis changing into ‘a part of one thing massive’ for Latvia at Olympics* Thomas Harley ‘extra settled’ with Group Canada at Olympics, enjoying massive function* Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, France hoping to ‘earn respect’ with Olympic displaying* Mark Streit needs to see extra of his Swiss countrymen thrive in NHL
‘ROCKET’ RICHARD WINNERS HEADLINE FINAL DAY OF ROUND ROBIN PLAY
The highest seed in Group C can be determined within the ultimate sport of the ultimate day of spherical robin play on the Olympic Winter Video games Milano Cortina 2026 when Group USA faces Group Germany. Group USA can clinch the highest seed in Group C with a victory of any sort or a loss after regulation, whereas Group Germany would safe high spot with a regulation win.
* The spherical robin finale will pit two gamers who’ve gained 4 of the final 5 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies head-to-head when Group USA and Maple Leafs ahead Auston Matthews (2020-21, 2021-22 & 2023-24) faces Group Germany and Oilers ahead Leon Draisaitl (2024-25).
* The 2 embellished purpose scorers have gone head-to-head in an NHL sport 22 instances, with Matthews holding the sting in targets (13-11—24; 15-5-2 file) and Draisaitl registering extra factors (10-15—25; 7-13-2 file).
