The group stage of the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament is in the books, and the knockout rounds are set to begin in Milan. Team USA and Team Canada, as expected, have looked dominant out of the gate-and if the bracket holds, we could be headed for a North American showdown for gold. But there’s been no shortage of surprises, with Slovakia stunning Sweden and Finland to win Group B, and a few teams still trying to find their footing.
The Vegas Golden Knights have been front and center throughout the opening round, sending eight Olympians to represent their countries. From veteran leadership to clutch performances, the Knights' players have made their presence felt on the international stage. Here’s a breakdown of how each of them fared in group play.
Mark Stone (Team Canada)
Mark Stone has looked every bit the captain-both for Vegas and now for Canada. Slotted alongside Mitch Marner and Sidney Crosby, Stone’s two-way game has shined, and he’s been one of Canada’s most consistent forwards through three games.
He’s tallied two goals and four points so far, with his best outing coming in a 10-2 rout of France. In that game, Stone logged a goal and two assists, including a shorthanded tally that made him the oldest Canadian skater ever to score short-handed in Olympic play. That’s a milestone that speaks not just to his longevity, but to how well he reads the game.
Canada locked up the tournament’s top seed and will face the winner of Czechia vs. Denmark in the quarterfinals.
Jack Eichel (Team USA)
Jack Eichel is making the most of his Olympic debut, and he’s doing it in style. Centering the Tkachuk brothers-Matthew and Brady-has brought out the best in Eichel, who’s logged a goal and four points through three games.
But it’s not just the numbers. Eichel delivered one of Team USA’s signature moments so far in their comeback win over Denmark.
With the Americans trailing 2-1 in the second period, Eichel won two crucial offensive-zone faceoffs, set up Brady Tkachuk for the tying goal, and then scored the go-ahead goal himself. That swing changed the tone of the game-and possibly the tournament-for Team USA.
Now the second seed, the Americans await the winner of Sweden vs. Latvia in the quarters.
Mitch Marner (Team Canada)
Marner’s playmaking has translated seamlessly from the NHL to the Olympic stage. With four assists in three games, he’s been the engine on his line with Stone and Crosby, showing off the kind of chemistry that usually takes months-not days-to build.
From the opening game against Czechia, Marner was in sync with his linemates, setting up a highlight-reel goal that set the tone for Canada’s 5-0 win. His ability to find space and create off the rush has made him one of Canada’s most important offensive pieces.
Noah Hanifin (Team USA)
Hanifin may have started the tournament as Team USA’s seventh defenseman, but he hasn’t played like it. In a blue line group loaded with offensive talent-Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski, Brock Faber-Hanifin has quietly carved out a key role.
He scored the game-winning goal against Denmark and added a secondary assist in the win over Germany. Hanifin’s mobility and poise with the puck have made him a reliable option, and he’s proving he belongs in the rotation when the games tighten up.
Shea Theodore (Team Canada)
Theodore’s Olympic campaign hasn’t gotten off to the explosive start some expected. With just one assist through three games, he’s yet to fully find his rhythm offensively.
That said, his role is growing. After Josh Morrissey went down with an injury, head coach Jon Cooper bumped Theodore’s minutes, trusting the veteran to help stabilize the blue line. If Theodore can tap into the offensive upside he’s shown with Vegas, he could become a difference-maker in the medal rounds.
Tomas Hertl (Team Czechia)
It’s been a frustrating start for Hertl and the Czechs. Through three games, the veteran forward has yet to record a point, though he’s tied with David Pastrnak for the team lead in shots on goal with nine.
The effort is there, but the finishing touch hasn’t followed. With Czechia facing Denmark in a must-win game on Tuesday, they’ll need Hertl to break through if they want to keep their Olympic hopes alive.
Rasmus Andersson (Team Sweden)
Sweden’s group-stage performance hasn’t lived up to expectations, and Andersson’s tournament has mirrored that. The defenseman has gone pointless in two appearances and was a healthy scratch in Sweden’s 5-3 win over Slovakia.
That decision raised some eyebrows, especially after Sweden conceded a late goal that cost them the group. Whether Andersson draws back into the lineup against Latvia remains to be seen, but if he does, he’ll be looking to make a statement and help Sweden get back on track.
Akira Schmid (Team Switzerland)
Schmid got his Olympic start against a buzzsaw in Team Canada-and while the scoreboard wasn’t kind, the performance had its silver linings. He stopped 34 of 39 shots for an .872 save percentage, the best mark of any goalie to face Canada so far.
He even had a highlight-reel moment, stoning Sidney Crosby on a breakaway-one for the personal scrapbook, for sure. Whether Schmid gets the nod again is unclear, but Switzerland will need a strong showing against host Italy on Tuesday to earn a shot at Finland in the quarters.
As the tournament shifts into elimination mode, the stakes rise-and so does the intensity. For the Golden Knights' Olympic contingent, the group stage was just the beginning. Now comes the pressure, the drama, and the chance to chase hockey’s ultimate international prize.