{"id":485247,"date":"2026-02-17T07:13:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T07:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/485247\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T07:13:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T07:13:18","slug":"recap-of-nhl-from-milano-16-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/485247\/","title":{"rendered":"Recap of NHL from Milano, 16 February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eight countries are set to take to the ice Tuesday during the Qualification Playoffs of the men\u2019s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

* NHL teammates, now international rivals, will be on full display when Team Sweden and Team Latvia cap a four-game schedule as current Panthers, Penguins and Lightning players clash for a date against No. 2 seed Team USA.<\/p>\n

* Team Sweden and Team Czechia look to join the likes of Team Canada, Team USA and Team Finland with six appearances in the quarterfinals during Olympic Games with NHL involvement.<\/p>\n

* Milano Cortina 2026 is the third straight Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players with a Qualification Playoffs round. Of the previous two tournaments, one team has advanced to the quarterfinals as the No. 10 seed or lower.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S HOCKEY TOURNAMENT SET FOR KNOCKOUT STAGE AT MILANO CORTINA<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

After 18 games and 122 goals during round robin play, eight countries are in action Tuesday during the Qualification Playoffs of the men\u2019s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line: Team Germany vs. Team France; Team Switzerland vs. Team Italy; Team Czechia vs. Team Denmark; and Team Sweden vs. Team Latvia.<\/p>\n

* Team Sweden and Team Czechia have qualified for the quarterfinals in each of their previous five Olympic Winter Games with NHL involvement. A sixth berth would tie Team Canada, Team Finland and Team USA \u2013 who have each already clinched a spot in that knockout round in Milan \u2013 for the most among all countries.<\/p>\n

* Milano Cortina 2026 are the third consecutive Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players to include a Qualification Playoffs, following 2014<\/a> and 2010<\/a>. Only one team has advanced to the quarterfinals in that scenario after entering the round ranked 10 or lower: Latvia (No. 11; 2014 vs. SUI<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Qualification Playoffs Quick Hits<\/p>\n

An overview of single-game highs during the Qualification Playoffs at Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players:<\/p>\n

Most goals<\/p>\n

2 \u2013 Alexander Radulov (RUS, 2014)<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u2013 Lauris Darzins (LAT, 2014)<\/p>\n

\u2013 Marian Hossa (SVK, 2014)<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u2013 Roman Cervenka (CZE, 2014)<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u2013 Jarome Iginla (CAN, 2010)<\/p>\n

Most assists<\/p>\n

3 \u2013 Pavel Datsyuk (RUS, 2014)<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u2013 Eric Staal (CAN, 2010)<\/p>\n

Most points<\/p>\n

3 \u2013 Alexander Radulov (RUS, 2014)<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u2013 Pavel Datsyuk (RUS, 2014)<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u2013 Eric Staal (CAN, 2010)<\/p>\n

Most saves<\/p>\n

47 \u2013 Edgars Masalskis (LAT, 2010)<\/p>\n

41 \u2013 Andrei Mezin (BLR, 2010)<\/p>\n

36 \u2013 Pat Grotnes (NOR, 2010)<\/p>\n

32 \u2013 Edgars Masalskis (LAT, 2014)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

TEAMMATES, NOW RIVALS: SWEDEN MEETS LATVIA IN WIN-OR-GO-HOME OUTING<\/p>\n

Team Sweden finished atop the podium the last time the men\u2019s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games were held in Italy, capturing gold in Torino in 2006, and now have a date with Team Latvia to determine which country will go head-to head with No. 2 seed Team USA in the quarterfinals. Tuesday, the third-ever meeting between the two countries at Olympic Games featuring NHL players and first beyond the round robin (2014 RR<\/a> & 2006 RR<\/a>), features a handful of NHL teammates on opposing sides.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

* Erik Karlsson (0-3\u20143) is one of three Swedish players who competed in the last head-to-head meeting between the two countries in Olympic Games featuring NHL players (also Gabriel Landeskog and Oliver Ekman-Larsson). The Penguins defenseman, with 4-7\u201411 in nine career Olympic outings, needs one assist to tie Chris Pronger (1-8\u20149 in 25 GP), Marek Zidlicky (6-8\u201414 in 17 GP) and Tomas Kaberle (3-8\u201411 in 22 GP) for the third-most assists by a blueliner in Olympic tournaments with NHL participation. Kimmo Timonen (3-10\u201413 in 30 GP) and fellow countryman Nicklas Lidstrom (4-10\u201414 in 20 GP) top the list.<\/p>\n

* Lightning forward Zemgus Girgensons (0-4\u20144) suited up for Latvia during the 2014 Winter Olympics \u2013 a tournament that witnessed his country enter the Qualification Playoffs as the No. 11 seed en route to a victory against Team Switzerland<\/a> (Girgensons had 0-1\u20141). His five career assists (1-5\u20146 in 8 GP) in Olympic Games with NHL involvement are the third most by a Latvian skater, behind Aleksandrs Nizivijs (4-8\u201412 in 13 GP) and 1995-96 Stanley Cup champion Sandis Ozolinsh (1-7\u20148 in 11 GP).<\/p>\n

POINT PRODUCERS ON FULL DISPLAY FOR CZECHIA VS. DENMARK<\/p>\n

Avalanche forward Martin Necas (2-3\u20145) and Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers (1-2\u20143) spotlight the third game of the qualification playoffs round, with the winner of this matchup facing No. 1 seed Team Canada in the quarterfinals. Tuesday\u2019s contest marks Team Czechia and Team Denmark\u2019s third all-time meeting at the Olympics but first with NHL participation and first in the knockout stage.<\/p>\n

* Ehlers (1-2\u20143), the highest scoring Danish player in NHL history in terms of goals<\/a>, points<\/a> and assists<\/a>, is fresh off a game-winning goal for his country in the final game of Group C action \u2013 Team Denmark\u2019s first-ever victory in Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players. Ehlers\u2019 current teammates, Morten Poulsen and Markus Lauridsen were crucial for the country during the 2022 Winter Olympics as each forward helped the country advance to the quarterfinals with goals against Team Latvia.<\/p>\n

* Necas (2-3\u20145), featured in the NHL\u2019s YouTube series, \u201cMy World<\/a>,\u201d which highlights some of the game\u2019s brightest international stars, entered the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 averaging the highest points-per-game pace in his career<\/a> (1.19 P\/GP) and has continued his offensive production with Team Czechia. He needs one point to tie Vinny Prospal (4-2\u20146 in 2006) for the third most by a Czechia player in a single Olympic tournament featuring NHL players, trailing only Martin Straka (2-6\u20148 in 2006) and Jaromir Jagr (2-5\u20147 in 2006).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

SWITZERLAND EYES MORE OFFENSE FROM THE DEFENSE AGAINST HOST ITALY<\/p>\n

Devils teammates Timo Meier (3-1\u20144) and Nico Hischier (0-1\u20141), as well as Predators captain Roman Josi (1-2\u20143) lead their club into a showdown with the host country as Team Switzerland and Team Italy collide for an opportunity to face No. 4 seed Team Finland in the quarterfinals. This will be their second meeting at an Olympics with NHL participation after the two countries skated to a 3-3 draw in the round robin<\/a> of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n

* Josi, featured in the NHL\u2019s YouTube series, \u201cMy World,<\/a>\u201d which highlights some of the game\u2019s brightest international stars, has his sights on guiding Switzerland to its third-ever appearance in the quarterfinals of an Olympic Games featuring NHL players following 2010<\/a> and 2006<\/a>. The Predators captain has helped Team Switzerland produce 3-8\u201411 from their defensemen at Milano Cortina \u2013 their most in a single Olympic tournament with NHL involvement.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

* Team Italy goaltender and Ducks prospect Damian Clara has faced a tournament-high 95 shots as he looks to backstop the home country to their second-ever win in Olympic Games featuring NHL players after the Azzurri defeated Austria during the 1998 preliminary round<\/a>. Team Italy looks to become the fourth host country to advance to at least the quarterfinals of a tournament that featured NHL skaters following Team Russia (2014), Team Canada (2010) and Team USA (2002).<\/p>\n

GERMAN STARS LEAD CLUB INTO SECOND HEAD-TO-HEAD CLASH WITH TEAM FRANCE<\/p>\n

Senators forward Tim St\u00fctzle (4-0\u20144), who shares the tournament lead in goals, and Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (1-2\u20143) headline a matchup between Team Germany and Team France in the Qualification Playoffs \u2013 the second-ever meeting between the two countries in Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players (also 1998 PRLM<\/a>). Team France eyes its first quarterfinals berth including NHL involvement, while Team Germany has its sights on its second (2002 at USA<\/a>). The winner of this contest will face No. 3 seed Team Slovakia in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

* Louis Boudon (2-1\u20143 in 3 GP) has been a regular contributor to France\u2019s offense throughout the tournament and can become the country\u2019s third different skater to score three or more goals in a single Olympic competition featuring NHL players. He would join Philippe Bozon (5 in 1998 & 3 in 2002) and Maurice Rozenthal (4 in 2002).<\/p>\n

* St\u00fctzle, featured in the NHL\u2019s YouTube series, \u201cMy World<\/a>,\u201d which highlights some of the game\u2019s brightest international stars, has found the back of the net for Team Germany in every contest to begin the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He can become the fourth player to score in four straight Olympic games involving NHL players, alongside Slovakia\u2019s Marian Hossa (4 GP in 2006), Finland\u2019s Teemu Selanne (4 GP in 2006) and Sweden\u2019s Mats Sundin (4 GP in 2002). Of note: Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini can also do so with Canada.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

QUICK CLICKS<\/p>\n

* Olympic qualifying playoffs discussed by NHL.com staff<\/a><\/p>\n

* Team USA played smart to earn Olympic quarterfinal bye<\/a><\/p>\n

* Tom Wilson has been \u2018outstanding\u2019 on, off ice at Olympics for Team Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

* Juraj Slafkovsky evolves into \u2018grown man\u2019 for Team Slovakia in 2nd Olympic appearance<\/a><\/p>\n

* Leonardo Genoni thriving for Team Switzerland at Olympics despite never reaching NHL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Related<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Eight countries are set to take to the ice Tuesday during the Qualification Playoffs of the men\u2019s hockey…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":485248,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[556],"tags":[64,63,575,85],"class_list":["post-485247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nhl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/485247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=485247"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/485247\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/485248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=485247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=485247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=485247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}