{"id":460028,"date":"2026-02-16T19:12:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T19:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/460028\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T19:12:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T19:12:18","slug":"how-the-canadiens-fared-in-the-olympic-round-robin-the-hockey-writers-montreal-canadiens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/460028\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Canadiens Fared in the Olympic Round Robin – The Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Olympic group stage always reveals early narratives, contenders separating themselves, underdogs rising, and individuals either thriving or surviving in the spotlight. For the Montreal Canadiens, four players represented their respective nations in vastly different circumstances, Juraj Slafkovsky<\/a> (Slovakia), Nick Suzuki (Canada), Alexandre Texier<\/a> (France), and Oliver Kapanen (Finland). After three games, their tournaments couldn\u2019t look more different.<\/p>\n

Juraj Slafkovsky\u00a0<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one Canadien who owned the round robin, it was Slafkovsky. Slovakia finishing first in Group B ahead of Finland and Sweden was one of the biggest surprises of the opening stage, and Slafkovsky was at the heart of it. In three games, he posted three goals and three assists for six points<\/a>, tied for second overall in tournament scoring after group play.<\/p>\n

\"JurajFeb 11, 2026; Milan, Italy; Juraj Slafkovsky of Slovakia celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates against Finland in men\u2019s ice hockey group B play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Four years ago, Slafkovsky announced himself to the hockey world with a dominant Olympic performance that ultimately propelled him to first-overall status in the NHL Entry Draft. Fast forward, and he\u2019s once again putting his country on his back in high-pressure international competition.<\/p>\n

What stands out isn\u2019t just the production, it\u2019s the timing. Slafkovsky has delivered in key moments, driving play physically, protecting pucks down low, and using his size to create space against elite competition. Slovakia doesn\u2019t boast the depth of Canada or Sweden, which makes his impact even more significant. He\u2019s the engine.<\/p>\n

For Montreal fans, this is the best-case scenario. Slafkovsky isn\u2019t just producing, he\u2019s leading. If Slovakia is going to medal again, it will likely be because their 6-foot-3 power forward continues to dominate the way he has in the group stage.<\/p>\n

Nick Suzuki\u00a0<\/p>\n

Suzuki\u2019s stat line won\u2019t jump off the page. One goal<\/a> in three games isn\u2019t what you expect from a top-line NHL centre, especially one playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Brandon Hagel. But context matters, and Suzuki\u2019s role with Canada isn\u2019t offense-first.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s lineup is loaded with scoring talent. Suzuki isn\u2019t being asked to drive offense every shift, he\u2019s being trusted to stabilize it. His defensive awareness, reliability, and ability to read elite opponents have quietly made him a valuable piece of Canada\u2019s structure.<\/p>\n

Related: 3 Potential Trade Partners for the Canadiens at the 2026 Trade Deadline<\/a><\/p>\n

Playing with MacKinnon means handling high-speed transitions and matching against other nations\u2019 best lines. Suzuki has been strong in support, covering defensively and allowing MacKinnon to attack aggressively. His positioning in the neutral zone and his work on the backcheck have helped Canada control possession, even when he\u2019s not filling the scoresheet.<\/p>\n

Is one goal ideal? No. But in a short tournament, coaches value reliability just as much as flash. If Canada goes deep, Suzuki\u2019s two-way presence will matter more than a flashy stat line.<\/p>\n

Alexandre Texier\u00a0<\/p>\n

For Texier, this tournament has been about survival. France entered the Olympics as heavy underdogs, and the group stage reflected that reality. Three losses, all by significant margins, made for a tough opening stretch. As the lone NHL player on the roster, Texier carried enormous expectations, and the burden showed.<\/p>\n

He finished the round robin at minus-8, a harsh number but one that needs proper context. When a team struggles collectively, plus\/minus can snowball quickly, especially for players logging heavy minutes against top competition.<\/p>\n

Has it gone smoothly? No. But this experience still holds value. International tournaments can expose weaknesses, pace management, defensive reads, puck decisions under pressure. For Texier, this is a measuring stick.<\/p>\n

France may not be advancing with momentum, but for Texier, the tournament isn\u2019t only about wins and losses. It\u2019s about competing against the best and bringing those lessons back to Montreal.<\/p>\n

Oliver Kapanen\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kapanen\u2019s Olympic story has been about waiting. The 22-year-old Finnish forward played just one of Finland\u2019s three group stage games. He was a healthy scratch in Game 1, then missed time due to isolation protocols after his roommate Anton Lundell fell ill<\/a>. Not exactly the way you draw it up.<\/p>\n

Still, even limited participation in an Olympic environment carries immense developmental value. Practicing with NHL-calibre players, sitting in meetings with veteran leaders, experiencing tournament pressure, that exposure matters for a young player still carving his identity.<\/p>\n

Finland\u2019s lineup is structured and competitive, and breaking into that rotation isn\u2019t easy. Kapanen\u2019s lone appearance may not have yielded a major statistical impact, but being trusted even in a depth role speaks to how Finland views him.<\/p>\n

From Slafkovsky\u2019s star turn to Suzuki\u2019s quiet reliability, from Texier\u2019s uphill battle to Kapanen\u2019s developmental exposure, the Olympic round robin highlighted how different roles shape different outcomes. For the Canadiens, this is encouraging.<\/p>\n

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