NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 22, 2026
**UPDATE**
The United States defeated Canada 2-1 on an overtime goal by Jack Hughes to win gold in Olympic Men’s hockey.
Matt Boldy opened the scoring in the first period for the United States. Canada tied the game in the second on a goal by Cale Makar. In the overtime frame, Zach Werenski stripped Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon of the puck and passed it to Hughes, who fired a wrister past Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington. USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 shots for the win.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to Team USA on a hard-fought victory to claim Olympic gold for the first time since 1980. Canada had plenty of chances to win, but Hellebuyck stood tall between the pipes, including a couple of game-saving stops on Connor McDavid and Devon Toews.
Canada and the United States face off for gold in Olympic Men’s hockey, Finland defeats Slovakia to take the bronze, and the latest NHL news in the Morning Coffee Headlines
NHL.COM: It’s the matchup that was inevitable as Canada and the United States will face off in the gold medal game in Olympic Men’s hockey. The puck drops at 8 am ET today.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I will update this post with the final score and a game recap later today.
SPORTSNET: Canadian captain Sidney Crosby skated with his teammates in practice on Saturday, but he remains a game-time decision whether he’ll play in this contest. Crosby suffered a lower-body injury in the quarterfinal game against Czechia and missed Friday’s semifinal win over Finland.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Crosby can’t play, Nick Suzuki will replace him at center while Connor McDavid takes over as team captain, as he did in the semifinal against Finland.
ESPN: USA winger Brady Tkachuk stirred the pot a bit on Saturday regarding the rivalry between the two hockey nations.
“There’s hatred there,” Tkachuk said. “I mean, they’ve been the top dog. They’ve been the best for the last bunch of years, and for us, we want to be in that position, be the best. So it’s going to be a game where I think a lot of guys could say, this is the biggest game that they’ve ever played in.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk’s comments reflect his teammates’ determination to win their country’s first Olympic gold in Men’s Hockey since 1980. However, his remarks also show the respect they have for their opponent.
Finland defeated Slovakia 6-1 in the bronze medal game on Saturday. Erik Haula scored two goals, and Joel Armia had a goal and two assists as the Finns pulled away from the Slovaks with four unanswered third-period goals, with the final two being empty-netters. Tomas Tatar replied for Slovakia.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A solid bounce-back performance by Finland after blowing a two-goal lead to Canada in the semifinal on Friday. The Finns had to do it without scoring winger Mikko Rantanen, who missed this game with a lower-body injury.
Speaking of the Finns, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice dismissed a rumor that several of their players wanted him to coach their team in this tournament. “I got a bunch of texts. Silliness,” Maurice said, suggesting tongue-in-cheek that the source of the rumor got him mixed up with Panthers assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu.
Maurice reminded everyone that he was born in Canada and is a U.S. citizen. “I think I’ll just stay in Fort Lauderdale for these tournaments. It’s worked out just fine.”
As for the Slovaks, this wasn’t the result they were hoping for. However, for a team with only seven NHL players on their roster, it still exceeded expectations and silenced its critics. Young stars such as Juraj Slavkovsky of the Montreal Canadiens, Dalibor Dvorsky of the St. Louis Blues, and Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils played well against the world’s best, which should make them better NHL players. They’re also an inspiration for young Slovak hockey players.
FLAMES NATION: The Calgary Flames activated forwards Blake Coleman and John Beecher off injured reserve on Friday.
THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks prospect forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki requires season-ending shoulder surgery. He’s split this season between the Canucks and their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche will have a new ECHL affiliate. They will join forces with the New Mexico Goatheads in 2026-27.
NHL.COM: Former NHL forward and long-time minor-league star Guyle Fielder passed away on Saturday at the age of 95.
Fielder played only nine regular-season games and six playoff games in the NHL between 1950-51 and 1957-58 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings. However, he had a long and successful career at the minor-pro level, holding the record for most points (1,929) and games (1,487) in 22 minor-pro seasons from 1951-52 to 1972-73
In the old Western Hockey League, Fielder was a nine-time scoring champion and six-time league MVP. He also spent 15 seasons in Seattle with the Bombers, Americans, and Totems, leading them to three WHL championships.
The Seattle Kraken have an annual Guyle Fielder Award, honoring the Kraken player who best exhibits the qualities of perseverance, hustle, and dedication to hockey. Yanni Gourde was the first recipient, with Jaden Schwartz winning it in the last three seasons.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Fielder’s family, friends, and the Kraken organization.
USA! USA!! USA!!! 👍😁
No Crosby for Canada.
If you go back to 4 nations and the premeditated fights in 1st game and eventual Canada victory…. Another loss in Olympics and Ottawa missing playoffs might push Brady Tkachuk to want a trade. A USA victory and his comments might push fans to turn on him.
You New Yorkers sure got Brady envy.
They will join forces with the New Mexico Goatheads in 2026-27.
That had to be a fun thing to type.
It certainly was!
Solid game. US hung on. Hellybuck was the difference. MacKinnon needed to bury that wide open net. Canada dominated play, but a great goalie can always be a difference maker in hockey. Hopefully Brady and Sanderson bring the mojo back to the sens for a final SC playoff push.
McDavid denied again!!!!
It was a great game. Three things.
#1 Hellebucyk played the game of his life allowing the USA to hang around and get the win.
#2 The complete domination of most of the game by Canada over USA (except the scoresheet where it matters) was stunning to me. I expected a very even game, in both possession and chances. By the eye test it was anything but.
#3 I understand the requirement and need to close games quickly however I was not a fan of 4 on 4 and I like 3 on 3 even less. It is worse than a shoot in imo. But them are the rules.
All in all congrats to the Americans. Enjoy the bragging rights that come with the win.
Final thoughts after the Olympics,could the Hughes brothers end up in Minnesota instead of NJ? If Fitzgerald sees he might be fired he could take care of his Boston connection in Bill Guerin! Mcavoy should change his Boston uniform number from 73 to 25! His Olympic number!
Hellebucyk was the difference. Almost like a flip of the script from 4 nations last year? ….
MacKinnon failed to make sure he beat werenski to that puck, bang it’s in the back of your net
I don’t like 3 on 3 exhibition for a gold medal but those are the rules.
Tommy boy,if they played 5-5 they still might be playing.5-5 they play not to lose. 3 on 3 they play to win. Look who was on the ice for Canada.Makar,Mcdavid and Mackinnon. Not a bad group!
Not big on 3 on 3 right away. Perhaps they should have 10-minutes 5 on 5… then 10-min 4 on 4, and then 3 on 3.
Ideally it’s 5 aside until the fat lady sings.
Great game – a great day for hockey
Indeed… and around the world.
I was watching a German network, and the announcers excitement was tremendous. They did a great job covering the game and promoting hockey.