Olympic Hockey: Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin Power Team USA Past Denmark Despite Shaky Start
When the puck dropped on Saturday’s Olympic matchup between Team USA and Denmark, it didn’t take long to realize this wasn’t going to be a smooth ride for the Americans. Despite a roster loaded with NHL talent, including some of the brightest names in the game, the U.S. found itself trailing early-and not just because Denmark came out with energy. Goaltending woes nearly derailed the night, but the Americans had a pair of Vegas Golden Knights ready to steady the ship.
Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin each found the back of the net, helping lead Team USA to a 6-3 win that was more grind than glide. Add in goals from Brady Tkachuk, Matt Boldy, Jack Hughes, and Jake Guentzel, and the Americans had enough firepower to overcome a rocky start.
But make no mistake: this game was a reminder that even the most talented teams need their stars to rise when things get messy. And that’s exactly what Eichel and Hanifin did.
Jack Eichel Steps Up-Again
There are a few things you can count on in hockey: playoff beards, line changes, and Jack Eichel showing up when it matters. Saturday’s performance was another chapter in what’s becoming a defining Olympic run for the Golden Knights center. Eichel tallied a goal and an assist, firing six shots on net and playing with the kind of urgency and poise that Team USA needed after a sluggish start.
What stood out wasn’t just the production-it was the way Eichel took control of the game. Whether he was working off the faceoff or carving through the neutral zone, he was in command.
His chemistry with the Tkachuk brothers continues to evolve into something dangerous for opponents. That line isn’t just clicking-they’re generating chances at a pace that can stack up against any top unit in the tournament, including Canada’s star-studded lines.
Eichel’s ability to elevate his game under pressure isn’t new to Vegas fans. They saw it during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when he made his postseason debut and didn’t flinch. Now, on the Olympic stage, he’s doing it again-this time in red, white, and blue.
Noah Hanifin Adds Offensive Punch from the Blue Line
It’s not every day you see a defenseman jump into the play and finish with the confidence of a top-six forward, but Noah Hanifin did just that. Midway through the second period, the Boston-born blueliner joined the rush and buried a shot past Denmark’s Mads Sogaard, giving the U.S. a 4-2 lead and a bit of breathing room.
Hanifin’s offensive instincts were on full display. He finished with three shots on goal and played with a noticeable edge, stepping up in the offensive zone and staying aggressive along the boards. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t always show up in the box score but makes a big difference over 60 minutes-especially when your goaltending isn’t bailing you out.
And let’s talk about that for a second. Jeremy Swayman had a rough outing.
There’s no sugarcoating it. He even allowed a long-range goal from Nick Jensen in the first period-one that left the U.S. trailing 2-1 and searching for answers.
That’s where players like Hanifin come in. He’s been in this spot before, especially during a 2025-26 NHL season where he’s had to cover for inconsistent netminding.
His ability to stay composed and contribute offensively gave the Americans a much-needed lift.
A Wake-Up Call in a Win
Yes, Team USA walked away with the win, but this wasn’t a flawless performance. Falling behind early to Denmark isn’t the script you want to follow when the medal rounds are looming. The Americans were out of sync in the opening frame, and if not for the offensive push from their Vegas duo, this game could’ve gone sideways.
Still, the takeaway here is that when the U.S. needed a response, their stars answered the call. Eichel played like a captain-in-waiting, and Hanifin showed why he's one of the more underappreciated two-way defensemen on the roster. That kind of leadership-both vocal and by example-is what separates contenders from pretenders in tournament hockey.
The road ahead only gets tougher. But if Saturday was any indication, Team USA has the kind of high-end talent and resilience that can carry them deep.
They’ll need to clean up the defensive lapses and get steadier goaltending, no doubt. But when you’ve got players like Eichel and Hanifin leading the charge, you give yourself a chance.
And in the Olympics, that’s all you can ask for.