How are Avs players doing at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
How are Avs players doing at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina has reached a fever pitch as the men’s ice hockey tournament moves into the high-stakes knockout stages. For fans of the Colorado Avalanche, the tournament has been a showcase of elite talent, with eight members of the roster representing five different nations. As the NHL takes a mandatory break, these superstars have traded their Burgundy and Blue sweaters for national colors, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. From the dominant performance of Team Canada to the emotional return of Gabriel Landeskog for Sweden, the Avalanche players have been central figures in the most talked-about storylines of the Games so far. As of February 18, 2026, all eight participants have found the back of the net, proving that the Avalanche's depth is not just a league-wide asset but a global one.
Team Canada Dominance Fueled by Avalanche Trio
Team Canada entered the 2026 Winter Olympics as the heavy favorite, and they have certainly lived up to the billing, finishing the preliminary round with a perfect 3-0 record and a staggering +17 goal differential. At the heart of this juggernaut is the Avalanche trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews. These three have seamlessly transitioned their chemistry from Denver to the international stage, providing Canada with a level of speed and skill that has overwhelmed opponents.
Nathan MacKinnon has been a force of nature, recording two goals and five points through the first three games. His ability to maintain his trademark explosive speed while playing alongside other superstars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby has made Canada's top six nearly impossible to defend. MacKinnon’s performance in the preliminary finale against France was particularly noteworthy, where he contributed an assist and played a physical, high-energy game despite taking a heavy hit late in the contest that briefly gave fans a scare.
On the blue line, Cale Makar has been predictably brilliant. After a slightly quiet start in terms of goal scoring, Makar found the net in the 10-2 blowout against France, ensuring that he joined the list of every Avalanche participant to score in the tournament. He currently sits with one goal and four assists for five points, ranking him among the top-scoring defensemen in Milan. Meanwhile, Devon Toews has been the ultimate reliable partner, leading the tournament in plus/minus at +8 and chipping in his first Olympic goal during the preliminary rounds. The defensive stability provided by Makar and Toews has allowed Canada’s forward groups to attack with reckless abandon, knowing the back end is secure.
European Stars and the Emotional Return of Gabriel Landeskog
While Team Canada has grabbed the headlines, other Avalanche players are making significant impacts for their respective nations. Perhaps the most emotional story of the entire 2026 Winter Olympics is the presence of Gabriel Landeskog as the captain of Team Sweden. After a grueling multi-year recovery from knee surgery, Landeskog’s journey to Milan is a testament to his resilience. While Sweden’s preliminary round was somewhat turbulent, finishing third in their group, Landeskog has been a steadying influence, contributing a power-play goal and providing the leadership that has defined his career with the Avalanche.
In terms of pure statistical dominance, Martin Necas of Team Czechia has been one of the most productive players in the entire tournament. Necas has carried his stellar NHL form into the Olympics, recording two goals and three assists for five points through the prelims. His dominance was on full display in a heart-wrenching OT loss to Switzerland, where he sniped the game-tying goal with just over two minutes remaining. Necas has been the engine of the Czech offense, though he now faces the daunting task of a quarterfinal rematch against his Avalanche teammates on Team Canada.
The Finnish contingent, consisting of Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Kiviranta, has also seen success. Finland secured the No. 4 seed and a bye to the quarterfinals after bouncing back from an early loss to Slovakia. Lehkonen, known for his big-game heroics, has four points in three games, while Kiviranta has made the most of his ice time with two goals. Their two-way reliability has been a staple for a Finnish squad that thrives on structure and opportunistic scoring.
Team USA and the Quest for Gold
Brock Nelson, the lone Avalanche representative for Team USA, is carrying on a profound family legacy in Milan. Following in the footsteps of his uncle Dave Christian (1980 Gold) and grandfather Bill Christian (1960 Gold), Nelson has been a vital middle-six center for the Americans. Team USA finished as the No. 2 seed overall, just behind Canada on goal differential. Nelson’s two-way play has been instrumental in the U.S. shutting down opposing top lines, and he has chipped in three points in three games.
The Americans have looked fast and disciplined, and Nelson’s experience has been a calming factor for a younger roster. As the tournament enters the knockout phase, the potential for a USA vs. Canada showdown looms large, which would pit Nelson against the MacKinnon-Makar-Toews trio. For Avalanche fans, this presents a "win-win" scenario, though it guarantees that some of their favorite players will see their gold medal dreams end before the final day.
What’s Next: The Quarterfinal Matchups
As the tournament shifts to the elimination rounds, the internal rivalries among the Avalanche roster will take center stage. The quarterfinals feature several mouth-watering matchups where teammates will become enemies for 60 minutes:
- Canada (MacKinnon, Makar, Toews) vs. Czechia (Necas): A high-stakes rematch of the opening game where Canada's depth will be tested by a surging Martin Necas.
- USA (Nelson) vs. Sweden (Landeskog): A battle of traditional powers that will see one of the Avs' most veteran leaders eliminated.
- Finland (Lehkonen, Kiviranta) vs. Winner of Switzerland/Italy: The Finns will look to use their structural advantage to reach the podium once again.
The 2026 Winter Olympics have already proven to be a resounding success for the Colorado Avalanche organization. With all eight players scoring goals and several leading their respective teams in points and ice time, the "Olympic break" has been anything but a rest for these stars. As they compete for the ultimate international prize, Avalanche fans back in Denver are watching with a mix of pride and anxiety, hoping for gold medals and, above all, a healthy return to NHL action on February 25. Regardless of who takes home the gold, the impact of the Avalanche on the world stage in Milan has been undeniable.
How are Avs players doing at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
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