Team Canada has moved into the semifinal stage with its focus now on finishing the job. The group has handled both dominant wins and close games in the tournament. Their latest result showed how they manage pressure late in games. That result now brings more attention to their top players as the competition gets tighter.
Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini Could Create Olympic records
Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini have driven Team Canada’s run at the 2026 Winter Olympics. And both players are now close to major Olympic records.
Canada remains undefeated and sits as the top seed heading into the semifinal against Finland on February 20. The team reached this stage after a 4-3 overtime win against Czechia on Wednesday.
Canada controlled the preliminary round with three wins in three games, outscoring opponents 20-3. They beat France 10-2, Switzerland 5-1, and Czechia 5-0.
The quarterfinal was different, as Canada had to come back late in the third period. Nick Suzuki tied the game with just over three minutes left, and Mitch Marner scored in overtime to complete the win.
READ MORE: NHL World Outraged as Egregious Officiating Oversight Comes to Light in Canada Vs. Czechia
Meanwhile, Canada’s assistant captain, McDavid, has led the tournament in scoring with 11 points in four games. His total includes 10 assists, which set a new Olympic record in a tournament with NHL players.
NHL Public Relations posted that McDavid has recorded multiple points in four straight games and is now in a position to guide Canada to another comeback win. The same post also noted that his streak matches the longest by any player in an Olympics with NHL participation, tying Teemu Selanne in 1998.
This is McDavid’s first Olympic appearance with NHL players, and he has already reached that mark in four games.
Celebrini has also provided good production with his scoring. The 19-year-old leads the tournament with five goals and has nine points in four games.
Insider Chris Johnston shared on X, “Macklin Celebrini picks up his seventh point for Team Canada- matching Evgeni Malkin (Russia, 2006) for the most by a teenager in an Olympic tournament with NHL players.”
Celebrini numbers have placed him alongside Evgeni Malkin in Olympic history.
The quarterfinal game also raised concerns when captain Sidney Crosby left with a lower-body injury. He did not return, but he is not yet ruled out of the tournament
Canada will now face Finland in the semifinal at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, and have to adjust if Crosby misses that game. They will have to rely on their star players, McDavid and Celebrini, alongside other core forwards.
