The key storyline for the Vegas Golden Knights this week is the Olympic Break, with no NHL games until Feb. 25.
The focus shifts entirely to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, where a significant portion of the Golden Knights’ roster (and coaching staff) has departed to represent their respective nations.
The Olympic Exodus
The NHL season has officially paused. The Golden Knights have sent eight players and head coach Bruce Cassidy (assistant coach for Team Canada) to Italy. This is a massive representation, meaning the “Vegas style” of play will be heavily featured in the tournament.
The headline story is Jack Eichel (USA) vs. Mark Stone (CAN). The two captains of the Golden Knights are on opposite sides of the biggest rivalry in hockey.
VGK vs. VGK: The preliminary round features direct clashes between teammates, most notably Canada (Stone, Shea Theodore, Mitch Marner) facing Czechia (Tomas Hertl) on Feb. 12.
The “Battered Roster” & Healing Time
For the players not going to Italy, this break is a medical necessity. Vegas entered the break limping, having lost five of their last six games before a rebound win against the Vancouver Canucks.
William Karlsson remains out with a lower-body injury (expected back in March).
Brandon Saad and Colton Sissons are sidelined until after the Olympic break.
The break provides a critical two-week window for these depth pieces to heal without missing game action.
Golden Knights Olympic Players
PlayerPositionCountryMark StoneForwardCanadaMitch MarnerForwardCanadaShea TheodoreDefenseCanadaJack EichelCenterUSANoah HanifinDefenseUSATomas HertlCenterCzechiaRasmus AnderssonDefenseSwedenAkira SchmidGoalieSwitzerland
Golden Knights Olympic Schedule This Week
DateTime (ET)MatchupVGK Players InvolvedWed, Feb 113:10 PMSweden vs. ItalyRasmus Andersson (SWE)Thu, Feb 126:10 AMSwitzerland vs. FranceAkira Schmid (SUI)10:40 AMCzechia vs. CanadaTomas Hertl (CZE) vs. Mark Stone, Mitch Marner, Shea Theodore (CAN)3:10 PMLatvia vs. USAJack Eichel, Noah Hanifin (USA)Fri, Feb 136:10 AMFinland vs. SwedenRasmus Andersson (SWE)3:10 PMCanada vs. SwitzerlandStone, Marner, Theodore (CAN) vs. Akira Schmid (SUI)Sat, Feb 143:10 PMUSA vs. DenmarkJack Eichel, Noah Hanifin (USA)Sun, Feb 156:10 AMSwitzerland vs. CzechiaAkira Schmid (SUI) vs. Tomas Hertl (CZE)10:40 AMCanada vs. FranceStone, Marner, Theodore (CAN)3:10 PMUSA vs. GermanyJack Eichel, Noah Hanifin (USA)
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