Team Canada is making a statement early in the men's Olympic hockey tournament - and it's a loud one. With back-to-back dominant wins, including a 5-1 rout of Switzerland on Friday, the Canadians are flexing the kind of firepower that makes them a clear medal favorite.
The offensive engine is running smoothly, and it’s being driven by the stars you’d expect. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon have been electric through two games, with both putting up three-point performances against Switzerland.
McDavid opened the scoring early in the first, then turned playmaker with assists on goals by Thomas Harley and MacKinnon. MacKinnon, for his part, capped the night with the final goal and added two assists of his own.
It was the kind of performance that reminds you just how dangerous this duo can be when they’re clicking - and right now, they’re in sync.
Rookie phenom Macklin Celebrini has also made his presence felt, adding another layer to an already stacked forward group. The 18-year-old hasn’t looked out of place for a second, playing with poise and creativity that belie his age. If Canada keeps rolling, Celebrini could become one of the breakout stories of the tournament.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. On the blue line, Canada is missing a key piece. Defenseman Josh Morrissey, a steady presence for the Winnipeg Jets and a vital part of Canada’s back end, sat out the Switzerland game after suffering a lower-body injury in the opener against Czechia.
Head coach Jon Cooper kept his cards close to the vest when asked about Morrissey’s status. He confirmed that Morrissey will miss Sunday’s matchup against France but didn’t go as far as ruling him out for the rest of the tournament. That’s a sign that the injury, while enough to sideline him short-term, isn’t necessarily tournament-ending.
Canada will head into the quarterfinals after facing France, and if Morrissey’s recovery stays on track, there’s a real chance he could be back in the lineup for the elimination rounds. His return would be a big boost for a Canadian defense corps that, while solid, leans on Morrissey’s mobility and puck-moving to transition quickly and efficiently.
For now, though, Canada’s high-octane offense is doing more than enough to carry the load. With McDavid and MacKinnon leading the charge and Celebrini adding youthful spark, this team looks every bit the contender it was expected to be. The next stop is France, but all eyes are already on the quarterfinals - and beyond.