Canada vs. Switzerland: What to Watch as Men’s Olympic Hockey Heats Up
Team Canada rolls into Day 3 of men’s hockey at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with serious momentum after a commanding 5-0 win over Czechia. Connor McDavid didn’t waste any time making his Olympic debut one to remember, leading a Canadian squad that looked every bit the powerhouse it was expected to be.
But now comes a different kind of test - Switzerland. And while the casual fan might assume this is a walkover, history tells us otherwise.
A Closer Rivalry Than You Think
Canada has the edge in Olympic matchups against Switzerland, winning two of their three previous meetings. But zoom out to the broader international stage, and things get a little tighter. In 27 total contests, Canada holds a 16-11 edge - not exactly the lopsided dominance you might expect from a traditional hockey superpower.
Even more telling? In World Championship play, the two nations are dead even. That’s not a fluke - it’s a sign that Switzerland can hang with the best when it matters.
NHL-Caliber Firepower on the Swiss Side
Canada’s roster is stacked with household names, but Switzerland isn’t just showing up to play spoiler - they’re bringing legit NHL talent to the ice.
- Kevin Fiala, a consistent 20-goal scorer for the Los Angeles Kings, enters this matchup with 18 goals and 40 points in 56 games this NHL season. He’s a dynamic winger who can burn defenders in transition and punish mistakes.
- Nico Hischier, captain of the New Jersey Devils, is right there with him - 19 goals, 42 points in 57 games. He’s responsible in all three zones and brings the kind of two-way game that can frustrate even elite opponents.
- Roman Josi, the Nashville Predators’ all-world defenseman, is having another strong year with 39 points in 45 games. He’s going to log heavy minutes against Canada’s top forwards, and while that might limit his own offensive output, his presence on the ice is a stabilizing force for the Swiss blue line.
Add in names like Timo Meier and Nino Niederreiter, and you’ve got a Swiss team that’s not just experienced - they’re dangerous.
What Canada Needs to Do
Canada’s depth is its biggest weapon. When you can roll out lines featuring Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Macklin Celebrini, and Cale Makar, you’re coming at opponents in waves. And that relentless pressure is exactly what wore down Czechia in the opener.
Against Switzerland, the formula doesn’t change much - keep the tempo high, force mistakes, and stay out of the penalty box. The Swiss thrive on structure and discipline.
They limit their own errors and wait for you to make one. But if Canada can dictate the pace and keep the puck in the offensive zone, it’s going to be tough for Switzerland to hold the dam.
Special teams could be the difference-maker. Canada’s power play is loaded with high-end skill and already looks lethal. If Switzerland takes penalties - and especially if they get caught chasing in their own end - it could be a long night.
The Bottom Line
Switzerland isn’t a team to overlook. They’ve got the NHL talent, the structure, and the experience to push Canada. But if Canada plays to its identity - fast, skilled, and relentless - they should come out on top and move one step closer to Olympic gold.
Still, this one won’t be handed to them. Switzerland has proven time and again that they can rise to the occasion. Canada will need to bring the same intensity they showed in Game 1 - because anything less could open the door for an upset.