The Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026 have brought a surge of excitement to the world of men’s hockey, and Sunday’s Canada vs. France matchup at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena is no exception. For the first time since Sochi 2014, NHL players are back in the Olympic fold, and fans are witnessing a best-on-best tournament that’s already produced its share of drama, dazzling plays, and a few surprises. As the final preliminary round day unfolds, Canada’s men’s hockey team stands firmly atop Group A, undefeated and brimming with star power, while France looks to make the most of their underdog status and lone NHL representative.
Canada’s journey to this point has been nothing short of dominant. They opened their campaign with a resounding 5-0 win over Czechia, followed by a 5-1 dismantling of Switzerland on Friday. Those two victories, achieved with a combined score of 10-1, have not only clinched the top spot in Group A for the Canadians but also secured them a direct bye into the quarterfinals. The game against France, set for 10:40 a.m. EST on Sunday, February 15, 2026, won’t change Canada’s tournament fate, but it’s far from a meaningless contest for head coach Jon Cooper and his talented squad.
“The job is to keep getting better,” Cooper emphasized after Friday’s win over Switzerland. “To come in here and play the back-to-back, we passed that test. We’ve got to pass one more. And then we get a little bit of a break. And you think about the travel, the practices, the games, it adds up. It’s tiring, not only on the body, but on the mind.”
Canada’s roster reads like an NHL All-Star lineup, with captain Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), and Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) anchoring the center positions. Between them, they boast six Hart Memorial Trophies, and their chemistry has been on full display. McDavid, in particular, is on a tear—he’s notched six points through two games and is on pace to challenge the Olympic record of 11 points by an NHL player, a mark jointly held by Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu.
McDavid’s offensive output has been matched by his physicality, something that’s caught the attention of teammates and opponents alike. “We want to play physical, and when he’s leading the way in that category, I think we all notice. I think that shows how badly he wants it,” Crosby said, reflecting on McDavid’s game-changing hits and relentless pursuit of the puck.
Friday’s win over Switzerland was a showcase for Canada’s adaptability. After a first period that saw some defensive lapses, Cooper shuffled his lines, placing McDavid, MacKinnon, and Macklin Celebrini together. The result? A quick goal by Celebrini that swung momentum firmly in Canada’s favor. “I thought in the second we found our game a little bit more, played pretty fast, got that goal from Mack,” Crosby recalled. “I thought from there we had a lot more momentum.”
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. The Canadians have had to adjust on the fly due to injuries and lineup changes. Defenseman Josh Morrissey, a key piece on the blue line, remains sidelined after sustaining an injury against Czechia and will not dress against France. Brad Marchand finds himself a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game, while Jordan Binnington returns as the starting goaltender after Logan Thompson’s strong Olympic debut against Switzerland.
Canada’s depth has allowed them to weather these changes. Travis Sanheim stepped in for Morrissey, and Seth Jarvis filled Marchand’s spot up front. The forward lines have been fluid, with Cooper not hesitating to move pieces around to find the right mix. Nick Suzuki, who shifted back to his natural center position after starting on the wing, highlighted the team’s versatility. “I wouldn’t say it was tough to play the wing,” Suzuki explained. “It’s a little bit different, obviously, but I feel comfortable wherever. I just want to be able to play anywhere in the lineup and have the coaches trust me in different spots.”
On the French side, the story is one of grit and hope. The team’s lone NHL player, Alexandre Texier, has been a bright spot, tallying seven goals and 17 points in 30 games for the Montreal Canadiens this season. The rest of the French roster is drawn from professional leagues across Europe, with veterans like Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Stephane Da Costa providing leadership. While France faces a daunting task against the tournament’s most star-studded lineup, the Olympic stage has a history of upsets and spirited underdog performances.
As the final preliminary games play out, the stakes remain high. Canada and the United States are locked in a battle for the top seed, with goal differential serving as the tiebreaker. Heading into Sunday, Canada holds a plus-9 advantage to the Americans’ plus-7, giving them a slight edge. But with the U.S. set to face Germany later in the day, every goal could prove crucial as the playoff bracket takes shape.
Beyond the numbers and standings, the 2026 Olympics have marked a triumphant return for NHL players, raising the level of competition and bringing global attention back to men’s Olympic hockey. The single-elimination playoff format that follows the group stage means there’s little room for error, and every team—regardless of pedigree—has a shot at glory. The gold medal game, scheduled for February 22, looms large, but for now, all eyes are on the ice in Milan.
Canada’s focus, according to Cooper and his players, remains on improvement and cohesion. “Still a long way to go, and it’s tough in these tournaments when it’s short, and you’re getting guys together, trying to find chemistry, systems, and all those things that go into it. My job as a coach is to let these guys breathe, let them go be hockey players, but understanding that in the end, it’s how many you keep out, and you’ve got to be able to keep them out. And so far so good,” Cooper said, underscoring the delicate balance between structure and creativity at the highest level.
With the quarterfinals already secured, Sunday’s matchup against France offers Canada a final tune-up before the win-or-go-home rounds begin. For France, it’s a chance to test themselves against the world’s best and perhaps write their own Olympic moment. As the puck drops in Milan, fans everywhere will be watching—hoping for heroics, bracing for surprises, and savoring the rare spectacle of the world’s finest hockey talent on the grandest stage.
As the preliminary round draws to a close, both teams know the real challenges are just beginning. For Canada, the quest for gold continues with high expectations and a deep, dynamic roster. For France, pride and opportunity await on Olympic ice. The tournament’s next chapter is about to unfold, and if the early games are any indication, there’s plenty more drama left in Milan.