Team Canada Rolls Past France, Clinches Top Seed Ahead of Medal Round
Team Canada left no doubt about who’s in the driver’s seat heading into the Olympic medal round, dismantling France 10-2 in a statement win on Sunday. With that, Canada all but locked up the No. 1 seed, boasting a +17 goal differential-ten goals clear of the United States, which still has one group game left against Germany.
Let’s break down the standout performances from a dominant showing in red and white.
Connor McDavid: A-
France came in with a clear plan: slow down No. 97.
And early on, it worked-at least as well as any team can hope to contain Connor McDavid. The French sat back in the neutral zone, collapsing at their blue line to limit his speed and time with the puck.
They clogged the slot, forcing Canada to work the perimeter.
But McDavid doesn’t need much daylight. By the second period, the pressure cracked.
He began threading passes through tight seams, feeding Macklin Celebrini for a series of one-timers that lit up the offensive zone. Then, just seconds into the third, McDavid and Celebrini connected on a slick give-and-go, slicing through the French defense like it wasn’t even there.
McDavid capped the play with a smooth finish past Antoine Keller’s left pad.
It marked his third straight three-point night-business as usual for the world’s best player, even when the opening minutes are a grind.
Macklin Celebrini: A+
If there were any nerves earlier in the tournament, they’re gone now. Celebrini looks every bit like a player stepping into his own on the world’s biggest stage. He’s demanding the puck, driving the play, and showing off a relentless forecheck that’s giving opponents fits.
Celebrini’s chemistry with McDavid is growing by the shift. He drew three penalties, buried a penalty shot, and added another goal and an assist.
His four total goals make him the tournament’s leader so far, and he’s doing it with a mix of power, poise, and precision. This wasn’t just a good game-it was a breakout performance from a player who’s becoming must-watch every time he hits the ice.
Tom Wilson: A
Wilson’s opening goal was a textbook example of what makes him such a valuable piece in a tournament like this. He won a gritty battle behind the net with a heavy hit, fed Drew Doughty for a prime scoring chance, then crashed the crease to finish off the rebound for his first Olympic goal.
Later, when Nathan MacKinnon took a questionable elbow to the head from Pierre Crinon, Wilson didn’t hesitate-he stepped in and made it clear that kind of hit wouldn’t go unanswered. That’s the full Tom Wilson experience: physical, opportunistic, and fiercely protective of his teammates.
Nathan MacKinnon: A
MacKinnon was flying all game, even if the scoresheet didn’t fully reflect it. He set up Brandon Hagel’s 9-2 goal with a slick feed and could’ve easily had a few more assists if his linemates finished just a bit better.
After taking that elbow from Crinon, MacKinnon flipped the switch. For the final eight minutes, he was a wrecking ball, throwing hits and setting the tone.
He took a bit of a knock on his last hit and grimaced, but postgame he looked fine chatting with Mitch Marner. Safe to say, he’s dialed in for the medal round.
Brandon Hagel: A
Hagel brought the kind of energy that jumps off the screen. He was relentless in the slot, battling for every inch of ice and giving his linemates-MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki-the space they needed to operate.
He chipped in with a goal, rang two off the post, and fired two more on net. Hagel’s engine never stops, and in a lineup full of finesse, his grit stands out in all the right ways.
Nick Suzuki: B
It wasn’t Suzuki’s most impactful outing. He logged just under 14 minutes, finished with three shots, and didn’t find the scoresheet. That said, he’s had stronger performances earlier in the tournament and will be looking to bounce back when the quarterfinals roll around on Wednesday.
Sidney Crosby: A-
Another game, another milestone for Sid the Kid-who, at this point, is more like Sid the Legend. With a goal and two assists, Crosby moved to 16 career Olympic points, passing Jarome Iginla to become the top-scoring Canadian NHLer in Olympic history.
He found Devon Toews trailing on a rush for the 2-1 goal, and later got a fortunate bounce on a pass attempt that turned into Canada’s sixth goal. Crosby now sits second in tournament scoring behind only McDavid. Not bad for a guy who continues to redefine longevity and consistency on the international stage.
With the group stage now behind them, Team Canada looks every bit like the gold medal favorite. Their stars are producing, their depth is showing up, and their chemistry is only getting stronger.
Next stop: the quarterfinals. And if Sunday’s performance was any indication, this team is just getting warmed up.