Panthers Trio Eases Into Olympic Action as Canada Rolls Past Czechia
The Florida Panthers have the most players of any NHL team competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, but in Canada’s dominant 5-0 win over Czechia to open their tournament, three of those Panthers didn’t exactly log heavy minutes.
Sam Reinhart, Brad Marchand, and Sam Bennett all dressed for Team Canada in Milan, but their roles were more complementary than central in this one. Still, with Canada cruising to a shutout victory, there’s little reason for concern-either for the national team or for fans back in South Florida.
Let’s break down how the Panthers' trio fared in Canada’s Olympic debut.
Reinhart Finds a Familiar Spot on the Power Play
Among the three, Reinhart saw the most ice time, skating 19 shifts for a total of 10:01. He didn’t find the scoresheet but managed a shot on goal and finished with a plus-1 rating. His bump in minutes came largely from his role on Canada’s top power-play unit, where he slotted into a familiar bumper position between the circles-an area where he’s thrived with the Panthers.
Reinhart’s usage suggests that while he may be on the fourth line at even strength, he’s still trusted in high-leverage offensive situations. That’s a good sign for Canada’s depth and a reminder of the versatility he brings to any lineup.
Marchand Chips In with a Helper
Brad Marchand, skating alongside Reinhart on the fourth line with Bo Horvat at center, logged 15 shifts and 9:29 of ice time. He made his mark in the second period, notching the primary assist on Horvat’s goal that pushed Canada’s lead to 3-0. Marchand also recorded two shots on goal and, like Reinhart, finished with a plus-1.
While the minutes were limited, Marchand’s ability to contribute offensively in a depth role is exactly what makes Canada so dangerous. When your fourth line is generating goals, you know the roster is stacked.
Bennett Eases In with Light Minutes
Sam Bennett had the lightest workload of the trio, skating just 11 shifts for 7:19. He didn’t have a consistent spot in the rotation and was used more situationally throughout the game. Bennett registered one shot on goal but didn’t factor into the scoring.
It’s not uncommon in tournaments like this for coaches to ease certain players in, especially when the team is in control. Bennett’s limited usage likely says more about Canada’s depth than it does about his individual performance.
A Win-Win for Canada and the Panthers
From a Panthers perspective, this is about as ideal as it gets. Three key forwards are getting the Olympic experience without being overworked-something Florida will appreciate as the NHL playoff push looms. The less wear and tear, the better for a team that’s counting on all three to be major contributors down the stretch.
And for Team Canada? A five-goal shutout win in the opener is exactly the kind of statement you want to make.
The Canadians rolled four lines, got production from across the lineup, and didn’t have to lean too heavily on any one group. That’s the blueprint for success in a short tournament.
Next up, Canada faces Switzerland, who also started strong with a 4-0 win over France. It’ll be interesting to see how the coaching staff manages ice time in that matchup, especially if it’s more competitive than this one.
But for now, Canada’s off to a flying start-and the Panthers’ trio is along for the ride, contributing in their own efficient, low-mileage way.