In a thrilling display of hockey prowess, Canada’s powerhouse duo, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, each racked up three points to lead their team to a commanding 5-1 victory over Switzerland, securing the top spot in Group A at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. But here’s where it gets even more exciting: this win wasn’t just about the stars—it was a team effort that showcased Canada’s depth and determination. And this is the part most people miss: while the spotlight often shines on the big names, it was Macklin Celebrini’s goal and assist that further solidified Canada’s dominance, proving that the future of Canadian hockey is in good hands. Controversially, the game took a somber turn when Switzerland’s Kevin Fiala was stretchered off the ice after a collision, leaving fans and analysts divided over the intensity of play. Was it a clean hit or a line crossed? We’ll let you decide in the comments.
By Bill Price (@BillPriceNHL), NHL.com Editor-in-Chief
February 13, 2026
Canada’s victory was a masterclass in teamwork and individual brilliance. MacKinnon and McDavid, both registering a goal and two assists, were unstoppable. McDavid, fresh off a three-assist performance against Czechia, continued his Olympic dominance, becoming the first player to tally five or more points in his first two Olympic games featuring NHL players. His wrist shot during a power play and his setup for Thomas Harley’s goal were highlights of the game. Speaking of Harley, the defenseman’s five-hole finish was a moment of pure skill that left the Swiss defense reeling.
Switzerland, however, didn’t go down without a fight. Pius Suter’s power-play goal at 12:42 of the first period broke Canada’s impressive shutout streak, marking the first goal allowed by Canada in an NHL-inclusive Olympics since 2014—a span of 237:01. But Canada quickly responded, with Celebrini’s second-period goal off a no-look backhand pass from MacKinnon restoring their two-goal lead. Sidney Crosby joined the scoring party in the third period, redirecting Mitch Marner’s pass for his first goal of the tournament, while MacKinnon capped off the scoring with a goal assisted by McDavid and Celebrini.
With the win, Canada (2-0-0-0) secures a bye into the quarterfinals, where they’ll face the winner of Group B or C. Switzerland (1-0-1-0) will battle Czechia on Sunday, with the winner potentially earning a bye as well. The tournament format ensures that the three group winners and the next-best team advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight teams enter a single-elimination playoff round starting Tuesday.
But here’s the burning question: Can Canada maintain this level of dominance throughout the tournament, or will other teams find a way to crack their formidable lineup? And what does Fiala’s injury mean for Switzerland’s chances moving forward? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. One thing’s for sure—this Olympic hockey tournament is just getting started, and the drama is already off the charts.
