The men’s ice hockey competition at the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics kicked off on Wednesday, with Slovakia and Sweden earning victories in Group B. The tournament intensity will increase today with four additional games, including Sidney Crosby leading Team Canada against the Czech Republic in Group A, and the United States facing Latvia, led by Artur Silvos, in Group C. On Thursday, Switzerland will compete against France in Group A, while Denmark will take on Germany in Group C. The Canada game is scheduled to start at 10:40 a.m. ET and will be accessible via USA Network or Peacock, with the US puck drop at 3:10 p.m. ET on the same channels.
Several players representing the Pittsburgh Penguins are participating in the Olympics, such as Sidney Crosby, Rickard Rakell, Erik Karlsson, and Artur Sirovs. On the women’s side, four notable Penguins alumni are representing the United States. Erik Karlsson, already an accomplished Olympian with a silver medal from the 2014 Sochi Games, is excited to compete again, blending his political career with his passion for hockey.
Avery Hayes, still early in his career and on a hot streak, has been nominated for AHL Player of the Week after debuting in the NHL last week with two goals against the Buffalo Sabres, impressing during his first appearance. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are currently riding a five-game winning streak with aspirations for a playoff bye. Throughout the offseason, the team’s top 25 players under 25 are evaluated, and Hayes’s performance this season suggests he is a promising talent.
The Penguins’ recent NHL game saw Hayes shine, the rookie scoring twice and contributing to the team’s victory while wearing a microphone, which provided fans with a closer look at his energy and personality. Meanwhile, the team’s bottom-six lines, particularly the third and fourth lines, continue to deliver strong performance, with the current fourth line especially effective at shutting down opponents late in games.
In NHL news, Slovakia caused a major upset by defeating Finland 4-1 in their Olympic opener, with Juraj Slavkovskiy scoring two goals and assisting on another to secure the win in Group B. Hosted by Italy, the tournament has proven challenging for the home team, which lost their debut 5-2 to Sweden, although Italy showed resilience by threatening the Swedes during the game.
Fan Take: These Olympic hockey moments remind fans why international competition elevates the sport, showcasing talents on a global stage that often shine brighter than in the NHL alone. The success of underdogs like Slovakia hints at the unpredictable and exciting nature of Olympic hockey, which can inspire a new generation of fans and players alike.
