Men’s hockey at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics officially dropped the puck this week, marking the first time NHL players have competed at the Games since 2014. Over the opening two days, familiar medal favourites asserted themselves, while a handful of nations used speed, structure and momentum to stay competitive early.
With group play underway and nine days remaining before medals are decided, the opening results have already shaped expectations for what lies ahead.
Here is a full breakdown of the men’s hockey action from the first two days of Olympic competition.
Men’s Hockey: Day One (Wednesday, Feb. 11)
Slovakia vs Finland
The tournament opened with its first surprise, as Slovakia handed Finland a convincing 4-1 loss in Group B play. Slovakia controlled the pace early, attacking off the rush and forcing turnovers through the neutral zone.
Finland struggled to recover after conceding the opening goal and never fully established its physical game.
Positive (Slovakia): Confidence and speed translated into sustained offensive pressure.
Negative (Slovakia): Depth scoring remains an unanswered question.
Positive (Finland): Goaltending limited further damage.
Negative (Finland): Slow starts and defensive lapses proved costly.
Sweden vs Italy
Sweden spoiled Italy’s Olympic men’s hockey debut on home ice with a 5-2 win, using experience and discipline to secure a comfortable victory. Italy showed early energy but had difficulty generating high-danger scoring chances.
Positive (Sweden): Veteran leadership and structured play.
Negative (Sweden): Defensive breakdowns created avoidable chances.
Positive (Italy): Strong crowd support and effort level.
Negative (Italy): Limited scoring depth against elite competition.
Men’s Hockey: Day Two (Thursday, Feb. 12)
Canada vs Czechia
Canada opened its Olympic tournament in dominant fashion, overwhelming Czechia 5-0 with pace, depth and sustained zone time. The Canadians rolled four lines, controlled special teams and dictated play for most of the game.
The performance reinforced Canada’s status as one of the gold medal favourites entering Milano Cortina.
Positive (Canada): Elite forward depth and transition speed.
Negative (Canada): Goaltending remains largely untested early.
Positive (Czechia): Organized defensive structure.
Negative (Czechia): Struggled to generate offence under pressure.
United States vs Latvia
The United States began its tournament with a strong showing, pulling away from Latvia with balanced scoring and physical play. Latvia stayed competitive early but faded as the Americans found their rhythm for a 5-1 win.
Positive (USA): Balanced lineup contributions and puck control.
Negative (USA): Defensive miscues remain a concern.
Positive (Latvia): Competitive effort through two periods.
Negative (Latvia): Depth issues surfaced late.
Germany vs Denmark
Germany earned an important early 3-1 victory, capitalizing on timely goals and disciplined defensive play. Denmark had its chances but struggled to generate consistent pressure once trailing.
Positive (Germany): NHL talent delivered in key moments.
Negative (Germany): Limited offensive depth.
Positive (Denmark): Goaltending kept the score close.
Negative (Denmark): Difficulty creating high-quality chances.
Early tournament outlook
After two days of action, several trends are already emerging. Canada and Sweden look composed and deep, capable of controlling games at both ends of the ice. The United States has flashed offensive potential but will need defensive consistency as competition stiffens.
Finland’s opening loss places added pressure on its remaining group games, while Slovakia’s early success positions it as a potential spoiler. Germany’s win keeps it firmly in the qualification conversation, while teams like Latvia, Denmark and Italy will need near-perfect performances to advance.
With group standings beginning to take shape, the margin for error will shrink quickly. Seeding battles, qualification games and eventual quarterfinal matchups loom, meaning every point will carry added weight.
As the tournament moves deeper into the preliminary round, expect top teams to tighten defensively, stars to log heavier minutes and underdogs to push the pace in search of crucial wins. With NHL talent back on Olympic ice, the men’s hockey tournament has already delivered on its promise — and the most important games are still ahead.
