Panthers Make Their Mark as Olympic Hockey Gets Underway in Milano Cortina
The puck has officially dropped at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, and if Day 1 of the men’s hockey tournament is any indication, we’re in for a wild ride. Group B opened with a pair of intriguing matchups-and four Florida Panthers players were right in the thick of it.
Let’s break down how the action unfolded and where the Panthers fit into the early storylines.
Slovakia Stuns Finland with Third-Period Surge
Final: Slovakia 4, Finland 1
The first upset of the tournament came early, as Slovakia pulled off a statement win over a Finnish squad loaded with NHL talent. After two tight periods left the game knotted at 1-1, Slovakia exploded with three unanswered goals in the third to seal a 4-1 victory.
Juraj Slafkovsky, the Canadiens’ young star and former No. 1 overall pick, looked every bit the part of a tournament game-changer. He tallied two goals and added an assist, putting his stamp on the game in a big way. In net, Samuel Hlavaj-still a prospect in the Wild system-turned away 38 shots in a lights-out performance that kept Finland’s offense frustrated all afternoon.
From a Panthers perspective, three key contributors suited up for Finland:
- Anton Lundell logged 16:21 of ice time but was held off the scoresheet.
- Eetu Luostarinen played 15:51 and, like Lundell, couldn’t generate any points.
- Niko Mikkola led all three in ice time with 20:24 and held steady defensively, but also finished without a point.
For a Finnish team that prides itself on structure and discipline, this was a wake-up call. They’ll need more from their top-end talent-and that includes their Panthers trio-as the tournament progresses.
Sweden Rolls Over Italy in Commanding Win
Final: Sweden 5, Italy 2
Sweden came out flying and never looked back, outshooting Italy by a staggering 60-22 margin en route to a 5-2 win. This one was all about control-possession, pace, and poise-and the Swedes had it in spades.
One Panther who wasted no time making his presence felt: Gustav Forsling. The smooth-skating defenseman was all over the ice, picking up a goal and an assist while finishing with a team-best +3 rating. He looked comfortable jumping into the rush and was equally sharp in his own zone.
Sweden didn’t just win-they made a statement. And with Forsling playing at this level, they’ve got a real weapon on the back end.
What’s Next for the Panthers at the Olympics
The action continues with two more must-watch matchups featuring several more Florida names:
- Czechia vs. Canada - *10:40 a.m.
ET (USA, CBC)*
- Canada’s lineup includes Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Sam Reinhart, who’s coming off a career year with the Panthers.
Keep an eye on Reinhart’s role-he’s expected to be a key piece on special teams and in the top six.
- Latvia vs. United States - *3:10 p.m.
ET (USA, SN, CBC)*
- Matthew Tkachuk suits up for Team USA, bringing his trademark mix of grit and skill to the red, white, and blue.
- On the other side, Uvis Balinskis and Sandis Vilmanis will look to help Latvia punch above its weight. Balinskis, in particular, has shown flashes of two-way upside with Florida this season.
Bottom Line
Day 1 of Olympic hockey brought drama, surprises, and some promising performances from Panthers players on the world stage. With more games coming fast, the spotlight is only getting brighter-and the Panthers’ international contingent is just getting started.