Olympic-Bound Captains Shine as NHL Gears Up for Milano Cortina 2026
With the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina now less than three weeks away, a trio of NHL captains bound for Italy gave fans a taste of what’s to come - and they did it in winning fashion. Sidney Crosby, Clayton Keller, and Dylan Larkin each played pivotal roles in leading their teams to victory on Wednesday night, adding fuel to the excitement as the hockey world turns its eyes to the international stage.
Let’s break down what went down on the ice, and how these Olympic-bound leaders are heating up at just the right time.
Crosby Climbs the Record Books as Penguins Leapfrog the Islanders
Sidney Crosby continues to add to his legacy - and this time, he did it on the road, where he's been historically great. With an assist in the Penguins’ win, Crosby notched his 785th career road point, passing none other than Mario Lemieux for the eighth-most in NHL history. That’s no small feat, especially when you consider the names he’s now rubbing shoulders with in the record books.
More importantly for Pittsburgh, the win helped them jump ahead of the Islanders in the Metropolitan Division standings. The Penguins are finding their rhythm at a crucial moment, and their captain is once again setting the tone. Crosby may not have filled the stat sheet, but his presence and playmaking continue to be the heartbeat of a team looking to make a serious push - both in the NHL and on the Olympic stage.
Keller’s Late-Game Heroics Fuel Utah’s Historic Comeback
Clayton Keller delivered one of the most dramatic performances of the night - and maybe of the season. With less than a minute left in regulation, Keller tied the game with the latest equalizer in franchise history.
He wasn’t done. In overtime, he buried the game-winner, completing Utah’s second three-goal comeback win in club history.
Keller’s clutch effort helped Utah extend its point streak to seven straight games at home - a mark not seen since the Kings pulled off the same feat in March 2023. The Missouri native is playing with confidence and poise, and his reunion with fellow St.
Louis Jr. Blues products Matthew and Brady Tkachuk in Italy is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing storylines for Team USA.
Larkin Matches Fedorov, Red Wings Match Lightning
Dylan Larkin is on a mission - and he’s bringing the Red Wings with him. Detroit’s captain scored in overtime to secure a win over Toronto, logging his 12th career OT goal and tying Sergei Fedorov for the most in franchise history. That’s elite company for Larkin, who continues to evolve into one of the league’s most reliable closers.
The win also allowed Detroit to pull even with Tampa Bay atop the Atlantic Division. And here’s a fun bit of history: the Red Wings swept a season series against the Maple Leafs (minimum four games) for just the second time ever.
The last time? Back in their 62-win campaign in 1995-96.
That’s the kind of momentum Larkin and the Wings are building - and they’re doing it with a blend of speed, structure, and star power.
NHL Launches Olympic Records Hub Ahead of Milano Cortina
As anticipation builds for Milano Cortina 2026, the NHL has launched a comprehensive new section on Records.NHL.com dedicated to its Olympic history. The site now features deep dives into stats, game-by-game results, and recaps from each of the five Olympic tournaments that featured NHL players: 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014.
Among the highlights is a celebration of Sidney Crosby’s legendary “Golden Goal” from 2010 - a moment etched in Canadian sports history. Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu also get their due, with Selanne leading all NHL Olympians in goals (17) and points (32), and Koivu topping the assists list with 18. Team Finland, fittingly, leads the medal count among NHL-participating nations with four.
The site also spotlights standout performances from blueliners, including Nicklas Lidstrom and Marek Zidlicky, who share the lead for career points by a defenseman (14), and Erik Karlsson, who in 2014 became the only defenseman to finish an Olympic tournament as the scoring leader - tying Phil Kessel with eight points.
It’s a treasure trove for fans and media alike, and it’ll only grow richer as the 2026 Games unfold.
Thursday Night Spotlight: Kane Chasing History in Minnesota
Looking ahead to Thursday, all eyes will be on Patrick Kane as the Red Wings visit the Wild on ESPN. Kane is just three points shy of passing Mike Modano for the most points by a U.S.-born player in NHL history - and the setting couldn’t be more fitting. Modano, who spent his first four seasons with the Minnesota North Stars and now works with the Wild, will be in the building at Grand Casino Arena.
Kane already has 55 career points against the Wild and needs just one more to leap past longtime teammate Jonathan Toews for sixth-most all-time versus Minnesota. It’s a storyline dripping with history, and if Kane reaches the milestone Thursday night, it’ll be a full-circle moment for American hockey.
Aho Stays Hot, Bussi Stands Tall
Also on the Thursday slate: Sebastian Aho and the Hurricanes host the Blackhawks on ESPN+. Aho extended his multi-assist streak to three games in Monday’s win - tying a career high - and continues to drive Carolina’s offense with his elite vision and playmaking.
Goaltender Brandon Bussi also turned heads in that game, making a highlight-reel save on Tage Thompson that had ESPN’s Ray Ferraro - a former Whaler turned broadcaster - singing his praises. Bussi’s emergence has added a layer of depth to a Carolina team that’s dominating puck possession and spending serious time in the offensive zone.
With the Milano Cortina Games just around the corner, the NHL’s stars are stepping up - and giving fans a preview of the world-class talent set to hit the Olympic ice. Whether it’s Crosby’s consistency, Keller’s clutch gene, or Larkin’s leadership, these captains are making their mark. And if Wednesday night is any indication, the best is yet to come.