Round-robin play has wrapped up at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and for the Los Angeles Kings players representing their home countries, it was a weekend of high stakes, big wins, and one tough injury blow. As the tournament shifts into the elimination rounds, Team Canada and Switzerland-both featuring Kings talent-are headed down very different paths.
Drew Doughty, Team Canada Secure Top Seed with Statement Win
Let’s start with the powerhouse: Team Canada. With veteran defenseman Drew Doughty anchoring the blue line, Canada didn’t just win their group-they dominated it. Capping off group play with a resounding 10-2 win over France, Canada finished with a perfect 3-0-0 record and locked up the No. 1 overall seed heading into the quarterfinals.
Doughty, who’s been a steadying presence on the back end, chipped in an assist on Canada’s opening goal, setting the tone early. The Canadians came out flying and never looked back, scoring at least three goals in every period and generating close to 30 scoring chances with 46 shots on goal. That kind of offensive depth and relentless pressure is what makes this team so dangerous-and why they’ll head into the knockout stage as the clear team to beat.
With the top seed secured, Canada earns a bye straight into the quarterfinals, giving them a valuable extra day of rest and preparation. For a veteran like Doughty, that’s a win in itself.
Switzerland Advances, but Fiala’s Injury Looms Large
On the other side of the bracket, Switzerland clawed their way to a critical 4-3 win over Czechia to close out group play. That victory was enough to secure second place in Group A with a 1-1-0-1 record-good for a spot in the elimination round. But the win came with a shadow hanging over it: the absence of Kevin Fiala.
Fiala, one of Switzerland’s most dynamic forwards and a key piece for both his national team and the Kings, is officially done for the tournament-and the NHL season-after suffering a lower-body injury earlier in Olympic play. He underwent surgery in Italy and is expected to be released from the hospital on Monday, according to Swiss head coach Patrick Fischer.
His absence was felt against Czechia, but Switzerland still found a way to grind out a win. That speaks to the team’s resilience, but let’s be honest-losing Fiala is a massive blow.
He’s a game-changer, a player who can tilt the ice in Switzerland’s favor with a single shift. Without him, the Swiss will need to lean heavily on structure, goaltending, and timely scoring if they hope to keep their medal hopes alive.
What’s Next
For Canada, the quarterfinals await, and with the way they’re rolling, it’s hard to see anyone stopping them right now. The chemistry is clicking, the star power is shining, and the depth is overwhelming. Doughty’s leadership and experience will be crucial as the games get tighter and the stakes get higher.
For Switzerland, it’s all about adjusting to life without Fiala. They’ve shown they can win without him, but the road ahead only gets tougher. If they’re going to make a run, it’ll take a total team effort-and maybe a few surprises along the way.
The Olympic ice is heating up, and the Kings’ players are right in the thick of it. Quarterfinals are up next, and if this weekend was any indication, we’re in for some high-intensity hockey.