The Florida Panthers are making waves at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, with seven of their players in the hunt for medals. As the tournament heats up, six of these Panthers are set to hit the ice today, aiming for a spot in the gold medal game.
All seven players will at least have a shot at bronze, but the real prize is gold, and a win on Friday secures their place in the championship showdown.
This morning's action kicks off with a clash between Canada and Finland at 10:40 a.m. ET, broadcast on USA Network and Peacock.
The Panthers are well-represented on both sides, with Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, and Sam Bennett skating for Canada, while Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola suit up for Finland. These teammates, who have celebrated Stanley Cup victories together, now find themselves on opposing sides in a battle for Olympic glory.
Lundell captured the sentiment perfectly, saying, “We’re brothers. We’ve been playing for years together.
We’ve been winning together. But this is a different mindset.
Now we’re enemies. Now we’re on different sides.”
Following this intriguing matchup, Team USA faces Slovakia at 3:10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Slovakia has been the surprise package of the tournament, fielding just seven NHL players yet making an impressive run. Despite the odds, they’ve captivated fans with their Cinderella story.
Matthew Tkachuk represents the Panthers on Team USA and is poised for a potential gold medal clash against either Canada or Finland on Sunday. As Tkachuk noted, “Fortunately for us, we’re still here.”
Here’s a quick look at the upcoming schedule:
2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey Schedule:
- Today - Semifinals: Canada vs.
Finland, 10:40 a.m. ET (USA Network, Peacock)
- United States vs. Slovakia, 3:10 p.m.
ET (NBC, Peacock)
- Saturday - Bronze Medal Game: 2:40 p.m. ET (USA, Peacock)
- Sunday - Gold Medal Game: 8:10 a.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
Olympic Results:
- United States (4-0-0): F Matthew Tkachuk (4 GP, 0-5, 5 points)
- Canada (4-0-0): F Sam Reinhart (4 GP; 0-1, 1) F Brad Marchand (2 GP, 0-1, 1) C Sam Bennett (3 GP; 0-1, 1)
- Finland (3-1-0): F Eetu Luostarinen (4 GP; 0-4, 4) D Niko Mikkola (4 GP, 0-3, 3) C Anton Lundell (3 GP; 1-1, 2)
With the stakes higher than ever, today’s games promise to deliver thrilling hockey and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a long-time teammate or a new rival, the Panthers are ready to leave it all on the ice in pursuit of Olympic gold.