The 2026 Winter Olympics have brought the heat to the ice, and men’s hockey has been nothing short of electric so far. Team Canada is steamrolling through the competition, fresh off a commanding 10-2 win over France that punched their ticket to the quarterfinals. But while Canada’s dominance is grabbing headlines, there's plenty of intrigue for Toronto Maple Leafs fans-even if no Leafs are skating for the red and white this time around.
Three Leafs have made their way to the Olympic stage, representing other hockey powerhouses: Auston Matthews is suiting up for Team USA, while William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson are donning the Tre Kronor for Team Sweden. With the quarterfinals looming, let’s break down how each of them has fared so far-and what might be coming next.
Auston Matthews: Captain America Is Delivering
If anyone came into these Olympics with something to prove, it was Auston Matthews. The Leafs’ franchise center has long been one of the NHL’s most prolific regular-season scorers, but questions have followed him about his ability to rise to the moment when the stakes are highest.
His performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off-three assists in three games, no goals-didn’t exactly quiet that narrative. But in this Olympic tournament?
Matthews is flipping the script.
Through three preliminary games, Matthews has put up three goals and two assists, leading Team USA in goals and sitting tied for third in points across the entire tournament. His two-goal, one-assist performance against Germany-arguably the toughest opponent in their group-was a statement. This isn’t just Matthews doing damage against weaker competition; he’s showing up when it matters.
What’s stood out beyond the numbers is how complete his game has looked. Offensively, he’s been assertive and creative.
Defensively, he’s been responsible and engaged. With the U.S. sweeping their preliminary games and locking in the No. 2 seed behind Canada, Matthews is looking every bit the “Captain America” figure fans hoped he’d be.
For Leafs fans, it’s hard not to wonder: could this Olympic fire carry over to the NHL postseason? That’s a question for another day. For now, Matthews is locked in, and Team USA is rolling.
William Nylander: Quiet Start, But Don’t Count Him Out
William Nylander also came into the Olympics looking to bounce back from a quiet 4 Nations showing, where he failed to score and chipped in just two assists. And while he’s been somewhat quiet again through the prelims-one goal and one assist in three games-there’s still reason to believe he could break out.
Team Sweden doesn’t have quite the same firepower as Canada or the U.S., and that’s shown in their offensive numbers. Their scoring efficiency sits at 7.33%, compared to Latvia’s 9.33%, their opponent in the qualifying round. But Sweden’s power play has been sharper, converting at a 25% clip, and Nylander remains one of their most talented weapons.
Nylander has built a reputation for elevating his game in big moments-something Leafs fans have seen firsthand. And he’s always been passionate about representing Sweden on the international stage.
While the early stat line isn’t eye-popping, this is the kind of tournament where one game can change everything. If Sweden gets past Latvia and sets up a quarterfinal clash with Team USA, all eyes will be on a potential Matthews vs.
Nylander showdown.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Veteran Presence, Limited Role
Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s inclusion on Team Sweden raised some eyebrows when the roster was announced. At this stage of his career, he’s not the dynamic blue-liner he once was, but he’s found a second wind with the Leafs this season and earned his Olympic call-up after Jonas Brodin was sidelined with injury.
His role with Sweden has been limited, though. Ekman-Larsson didn’t see the ice at all in Sweden’s 5-2 win over Italy, and in the other two preliminary games, he logged no points, no shots on goal, and picked up two penalty minutes. He’s clearly not being leaned on as a key contributor, but as a veteran presence in the locker room and a steady hand when called upon, he’s doing what’s asked.
This may very well be Ekman-Larsson’s final Olympic appearance, and while he’s not making headlines, he’s soaking in the moment. For a player who’s battled through injuries and ups and downs in recent years, just being part of this team is a meaningful capstone to an international career.
Looking Ahead: Leafs on a Collision Course?
If Sweden gets past Latvia in the qualifying round, we could be in for a marquee quarterfinal matchup: Team USA vs. Team Sweden, Matthews vs.
Nylander. It’s the kind of best-on-best showdown that Olympic hockey is built for-and a treat for Leafs fans who’ll get to watch two of their stars go head-to-head on the sport’s biggest stage.
The quarterfinals begin Wednesday, and with the way the tournament’s shaping up, we’re just getting started. Team Canada may be the juggernaut, but the drama is far from over-and the Leafs’ Olympic trio could still have plenty to say before the medals are handed out.