{"id":450406,"date":"2026-02-07T16:37:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T16:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/450406\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T16:37:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T16:37:14","slug":"a-toronto-maple-leafs-fans-guide-to-the-2026-winter-olympics-the-hockey-writers-toronto-maple-leafs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/450406\/","title":{"rendered":"A Toronto Maple Leafs Fan’s Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, you\u2019re a Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> fan, eh? It\u2019s been a challenging season, to say the least, filled with ups and downs. More downs than ups, perhaps. Have no fear. The 2026 Winter Olympics are finally here.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a terrific break from the daily grind of the NHL season. Not just for the players, but for us fans, too. Forget about the trade deadline, forget about that first-round pick that the Leafs sent to the Boston Bruins last year, and forget about whether or not the boys will make the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men\u2019s Hockey Tournament<\/a><\/p>\n

For the next few weeks, wrap yourself in your country\u2019s colours, and let your passion fly. In the process, why not keep an eye on your Leafs, who are in the tournament as well?<\/p>\n

Here is your guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics. <\/p>\n

Team USA<\/p>\n

Auston Matthews<\/p>\n

It is a real shame that we have not seen the next generation of superstars in the Olympics. Players like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Auston Matthews<\/a> had been shafted by the NHL\u2019s stubbornness, and then when the league finally relented, COVID hit.<\/p>\n

Matthews will finally join Team USA in their pursuit of a gold medal in Milano Cortina.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a hard season for Matthews. Whether it\u2019s lingering injuries or getting used to playing without Mitch Marner, it\u2019s been a grind. Even so, the 28-year-old has 26 goals and 48 points. Regardless of his inconsistencies, I think we\u2019d all be surprised if he didn\u2019t ramp it up over the next few weeks.<\/p>\n

\"AustonTeam USA forward Auston Matthews (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

When asked in January what he thought the potential of this team was, Matthews didn\u2019t hold back. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think we feel like we\u2019re up there and we should be competing for gold,\u201d Matthews told NHL.com<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s obviously the first Olympics in a while since (NHL players) have been able to play, but you want to consistently be up there, and you want to be obviously the best country in the world. And this is a great opportunity for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his two appearances at the World Junior U-20 Championships<\/a>, Matthews had a combined eight goals and 14 points in 12 games, helping Team USA win bronze in 2016. At the 2016 World Championships, Matthews had six goals and nine points in 10 games. At the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, Matthews had three assists.<\/p>\n

With NHL.com, he spoke a lot about what it will be like to come back with relatively the same team as they had last February. He also spoke about what it will be like to be at the Olympics in general, and he summed it up rather eloquently.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be so cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

Where to Watch Auston Matthews & Team USA<\/p>\n

My assumption is that most of you reading are cheering for Team Canada. Maybe not. Either way, we won\u2019t get a rematch of last year\u2019s 4 Nations\u2019 Gold Medal game unless it\u2019s in the medal rounds, so why root against them?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s when you can catch the Leafs\u2019 captain in action.<\/p>\n

Feb. 12: Latvia vs United States, 3:10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 14: United States vs Denmark, 3:10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 15: United States vs Germany, 3:10 p.m.<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

Team Sweden<\/p>\n

William Nylander<\/p>\n

Much like for Matthews, it\u2019s been a frustrating season for William Nylander, too. His 17 games missed are the most in a single season in his entire career, yet still, he leads the Maple Leafs with 52 points, including 18 goals.<\/p>\n

Like so many other stars heading overseas, it is Nylander\u2019s first opportunity to play in the Olympics, and there\u2019s no doubt he will be leaned on heavily if Team Sweden is going to make a run for gold.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that experience is going to be incredible, and playing with Team Sweden and playing against the best players in the world at an Olympics is something that doesn\u2019t happen too often,\u201d Nylander said at the end of January<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019ll be a first for me, so I\u2019m going to be very excited for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

While he has yet to play in the Olympics, Nylander is no stranger to international hockey. In 30 games in junior tournaments, including two World Junior Championships, Nylander has 18 goals and 46 points, and brought home the gold in 2013 at the U17 tournament. In 27 games in senior tournaments, he has 16 goals and 40 points, bringing home a gold at the 2017 World Championship and a bronze at the 2025 World Championship.<\/p>\n

When asked if anything other than gold would be a disappointment, like it is for Canada, his answer was short and sweet. <\/p>\n

\u201cSame for Sweden.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oliver Ekman-Larsson<\/p>\n

The last few seasons have been a beautiful resurgence for Oliver Ekman-Larsson<\/a> (OEL), and it has earned him an opportunity to represent Team Sweden. Unlike most of his competitors and Swedish teammates, OEL is a returnee to the Olympics, as he was part of the team that won silver in 2014.<\/p>\n

Ekman-Larsson was a top-tier defenseman in the NHL for the first decade of his career, but his career was hanging in the balance after two tough seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, battling his play and his health. In 2023-24, the Florida Panthers took a chance on OEL, and the season ended with him being a stabilizing D-man for a Stanley-Cup-winning team. Now, he has become maybe the most reliable defenseman for the Maple Leafs.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8 OFFICIAL: William Nylander (who was one of the original 6 selections) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have been NAMED to Team Sweden for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan \u2705\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddea<\/p>\n

A huge accomplishment for OEL, who last represented Sweden at the Olympics in 2014 and has been on fire\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/3ZenmKendp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) January 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst off, I\u2019m healthy,\u201d the 34-year-old said when asked about turning around his career<\/a>. \u201cI know that sounds simple, but the fact is, it\u2019s the truth. It was tough in Vancouver not being 100 percent. Secondly, it\u2019s confidence. When things aren\u2019t going your way, and injuries won\u2019t let you play to the level you want, you start second-guessing things. When you get it back, you can start playing more freely and naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like Nylander, OEL is no stranger to international hockey and has won seven medals across 11 tournaments. In junior tournaments, OEL has four goals and 13 points in 12 games. In senior tournaments, he has 11 goals and 44 points in 66 games and has helped the Swedes win three bronze medals, two silvers, and two golds, including back-to-back victories at the 2017 and 2018 World Championships.<\/p>\n

Even though he is on the back nine of a tremendous career, this moment is not lost on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny time you can play for your country, it\u2019s a special thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

When to Watch the Swedish Duo<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re American or Canadian, it\u2019s a bit easier to cheer on a team like Team Sweden. Here is their schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics. <\/p>\n

Feb. 11: Sweden vs Italy, 3:10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 13: Finland vs Sweden, 6:10 a.m.<\/p>\n

Feb. 14: Sweden vs Slovakia, 6:10 a.m.<\/p>\n

*All times EST*<\/p>\n

The Olympics Are Finally Here<\/p>\n

Alright, Leafs fans, enjoy the tournament! Don\u2019t worry, the anxiety-riddled roller coaster that is the Maple Leafs\u2019 2025-26 season will be waiting for you.<\/p>\n

Be sure to check out the incredible coverage here at The Hockey Writers throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n

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