Canada has started the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on fire. They won the first game 5-0 against Czechia and followed it up with a 5-1 victory versus Switzerland yesterday. This pushes their current streak to 12-straight victories in Olympics involving NHLers, outscoring their opposition 48-13. Simply incredible. There has been some minor lineup news, that we will get to later. In contrast, there is one storyline really starting to catch fire. Let’s dive in.
Canada’s Hockey Greatness Coming Together at 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics
Rarely in hockey history can all-time greats play together. For fans of Canadian hockey, you have to go back to the 1987 Canada Cup Final. Late, only 1:26 remaining in fact in the deciding game against the U.S.S.R, on a three-man rush with a very gifted offensive-defenceman Larry Murphy on the wing, Wayne Gretzky had no intentions on passing the puck across. Instead, the Great One fed the puck back to Le Magnifique Mario Lemieux who propelled the puck high on goaltender Sergei Mylnikov.
It is a shame as a hockey fan, that was the only best-on-best competition that we were gifted with the magic of Lemieux and Gretzky. It isn’t unlike the recent stretch we had experienced, with no best-on-best competition between 2016’s World Cup of Hockey, until the 2025 4 Nations tournament. One player on this year’s Olympic team who has seen multiple best-on-best tournaments is Sidney Crosby.
Even during Sidney Crosby’s remarkable run of success wearing the Canadian Maple Leaf, he hasn’t found that magical spark with a player around his age, and anywhere near his skill. Maybe you could make an argument for Patrice Bergeron. But let’s be honest, as dominant as a two-way player as Bergeron was, he wasn’t at the elite offensive level that Crosby was at, and you could argue, even still isn’t far off today.
Consider even the 2002 Canadian Olympic team. That was one that had Lemieux on it, but never had such a strong connection of players, in their prime. That roster was loaded with all-time greats, such as Joe Sakic or Eric Lindros, but many of them would’ve been considered past their prime, or even yet to hit it. Jarome Iginla could’ve fit that description of being at his prime, and an elite sniper. Conversely, guys like Simon Gagne or Ryan Smyth wouldn’t have been considered a Hall to his Oates. (Or hockey’s edition Brett Hull and Adam Oates).
Let’s Discuss What We Are Seeing Unfold Before Our Very Eyes
This brings us to this year’s Canadian Olympic team. We had seen glimpses of it on the Canadians number one power play. That alignment tracks back to the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The power play strike by Canada that saw Connor McDavid feed Sidney Crosby, who went behind the back, backhand to an open Nathan MacKinnon, 1-0. It truly was a spectacle for the ages.
Then, yesterday. What happened in the Switzerland game, may seem insignificant enough, but perhaps it is…destiny. Late in the first period of Friday’s game, Tom Wilson was seen as though apparently something was wrong. Whether it was equipment related or just feeling an ache, in any case, he skated to the bench. Being so late in the period, head coach Jon Cooper just wanted his next best player out there. Any guesses, who get’s the shoulder tap?
That’s right, Nate Dog, Nathan MacKinnon. And maybe, as they say, the rest is history. So, MacKinnon had replaced Wilson out there with McDavid and Celebrini. That line was actually the next to strike. Not long after a penalty kill on a Shea Theodore infraction, Cooper was loading up with the line. Off a beautiful little backhand dish from MacKinnon, a one timer from Macklin Celebrini would find room short side in the second period of play. Additionally, in the third period the line would link up again. MacKinnon would be the beneficiary of a dogged forecheck by Celebrini, a great high-speed play by Connor McDavid, finished off in mostly an empty net by MacKinnon. They trio has totaled five goals and eight asissts…through two games, sensational.
History In the Making
It is a changing of the guard of sorts for Canada. Crosby (38) may finally be willing to pass the torch onto the next generation. That being led by his good friend MacKinnon, as well as McDavid, and we would be remised if we didn’t include superstar defenceman Cale Makar. Moreover, it appears as though Celebrini is making a case to be that next one up, you know, down the road. But like the Lemieux and Gretzky connection, and now we are seeing it with McDavid and MacKinnon who were Team North America teammates back in 2016, you are only going to get so many chances. You have to make the absolute most out of all of them. Get it boys, the time is now!
Statistically, the connection with McDavid and MacKinnon checks out. Their speed, explosiveness, and ability to find gaps in the opposing defence, truly puts them ahead of their time. Some people just have that unexplainable connection. If we go back to the start of the 2020-21 season, their 82-game average scoring pace is off the charts. McDavid would go for 46 goals, 93 assists, for a total of 139 points. Meanwhile, MacKinnon is also out-of-worldly at 45 goals, 81 assists, and 126 points.
Now, Canada Lineup News for the Olympics Ice Hockey
In terms of a lineup note for Canada, ahead of their final preliminary game against Team France tomorrow, head coach Jon Cooper did provide some details. He said that Josh Morrissey wouldn’t be able to go for that game. However, he made it clear that he hasn’t been ruled out for the tournament. Travis Sanheim has filled in the roster in Morrissey’s absence.
Other lineup news saw Brad Marchand watch game two versus Switzerland yesterday. That allowed Carolina Hurricane forward Seth Jarvis to draw into the lineup. You know Marchand is chomping at the bit to get back in there. Perhaps Cooper sits someone else, so players are only being sat out once in the preliminary round.
Jon Cooper say Josh Morrissey won’t play next game vs France but was clear in saying he’s not ruled out of the tournament.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 13, 2026
However the tournament goes for Canada, we have witnesses lots of magic, thus far. If Cooper keeps MacKinnon and McDavid together, along with Celebrini, they are a threat to score every time they hit the ice. The speed and skill, it truly is their time. Will anyone be able to stop them? We will have to wait until the medal rounds to find out.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
