Connor Hellebuyck just wrapped up a performance for the ages, celebrating Olympic gold with Team USA in Italy, Florida, and even at the White House. Now, he's back with the Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets, sitting at 13th place, are facing an uphill battle to make the playoffs.
Jack Hughes, who scored a generation-defining Golden Goal and hasn't stopped grinning since Sunday, has returned to the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils are in a similar boat, sitting at 15th place and 11 points out with 25 games remaining. It's a tough road ahead for them too.
Auston Matthews, who captained the U.S. Olympic team to gold in Milan, is back with the Maple Leafs. He's coming off a career-defining moment with a gold medal around his neck.
The Leafs are 12th in the standings, with a daunting 25 games to play in 49 nights. It’s almost a sprint to the finish line for them.
As the NHL regular season resumes, the excitement of Olympic triumphs meets the grind of league play. The pace is relentless, with teams playing every other day on average, totaling seven games every two weeks.
This season is wide open, with no dominant teams, making the path to the Stanley Cup unpredictable. It’s a whirlwind schedule where anything can happen.
The big question is how these Olympic stars will fare on teams outside the playoff picture. Take Macklin Celebrini with the San Jose Sharks, for example.
They’re close to a playoff spot, but can Celebrini lead them there? After leading the Olympics in scoring, does he have enough left in the tank?
Imagine being 19, in your second pro season, fresh off an Olympic high, and now facing the rest of the NHL season. It’s a test of endurance and skill, and fans will be watching closely.