NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 16, 2026

by | Feb 16, 2026 | News, NHL | 5 comments

Canada secures the top seed in the quarterfinals, the United States clinches first place in Group C, and more from Olympic Men’s hockey in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Canada thumped France 10-2 to earn the top seed in the Olympic Men’s quarterfinals. Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Macklin Celebrini each had three points as the Canadians outshot France 46-14 to finish with a 3-0-0-0 record. Floran Douay and Sacha Treille replied for France (0-0-3-0).

Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby now has 16 points in Olympic competition, setting the Canadian record for most points in the Olympics featuring NHL players. Before this game, he was one point behind Jarome Iginla’s 14 points.

McDavid is the tournament’s leading scorer with nine points in three games. Celebrini is tied with Germany’s Tim Stutzle for the most goals with four. Celebrini also became the first NHL player to score on a penalty shot in the Olympics.

Canadian winger Tom Wilson had a rare Gordie Howe hat trick in Olympic competition. He opened the scoring, collected an assist, and fought France’s Pierre Crinon late in the third period after the latter served a penalty for elbowing Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon in the head. Wilson and Crinon were ejected from the game, but won’t face supplemental discipline.

The United States defeated Germany 5-1 to go 3-0-0-0 and clinch first place in Group C. Auston Matthews scored twice and collected an assist, and Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves for the Americans. Tim Stutzle scored for Germany (1-0-2-0).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, Matthews was the subject of some media criticism about his performance and leadership in this tournament. Teammate Jake Guentzel stuck up for his captain following Sunday’s game. “He’s been great all tournament,” Guentzel said to reporters. “You guys put a lot of heat on him for no reason. He’s just an unbelievable player, and he plays well in all situations.”

An overtime goal by former NHL defenseman Dean Kukan lifted Switzerland to a 4-3 victory over Czechia. Roman Josi and Timo Meier each had a goal and an assist for Switzerland (1-1-1-0). Martin Necas had a goal and two assists for Czechia (1-0-1-1), with his goal sending the game to overtime.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a solid bounce-back effort from the Swiss after losing scoring winger Kevin Fiala to a season-ending leg injury on Friday in their 5-1 loss to Canada. The Los Angeles Kings (Fiala’s NHL club) released a statement on Sunday indicating that he suffered a fracture in his lower left leg and will be re-evaluated at the end of the regular season.

Denmark doubled up Latvia 4-2. Nick Oleson had two goals and an assist, Frederik Andersen made 33 saves, and Nikolaj Ehlers tallied the winning goal for the Danes, who finished the preliminary round 1-0-2-0. Kristaps Zile and Eduards Tralmak replied for Latvia (1-0-2-0).

NHL.COM: The preliminary round has been completed, with Canada, the United States, Finland, and Slovakia each earning a bye to the quarterfinal.

The qualification playoff games will take place on Tuesday, with Switzerland facing Italy, Germany meeting France, Sweden taking on Latvia, and Czechia facing off against Denmark.

The winners of those games will advance to the quarterfinal round on Wednesday.







5 Comments

  1. Congrats to Crosby (16 pts) for the most career Olympic Points.
    But that record might only last for a week. McDavid’s 9 pts in 3 games is already closing in.

    Reply
  2. So far 3 injuries in the Olympics affecting NHL teams, Morrissey,Fiala,Soogard!

    Reply
  3. Soogard is always injured. Its just an ouchy. He’ll be fine. He may not be in the NHL or AHL next year though. Sens have had just enough of this act.

    I think they were hoping he’d be Ben Bishop 2.0.

    Reply
    • Heh. Yeah. It seems he can’t “stretch” in any way, shape or fashion without pulling some muscle … and stretching is sort of a critical ability for a goalie.

      Reply

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