Sidney Crosby’s ‘Golden Goal’ in 2010. T.J. Oshie’s shootout masterclass in 2014. Dominik Hasek’s dominance in 1998. Over the years, there have been many spectacular moments in the winter olympics when the National Hockey League is involved. Now, just under a few weeks until the Milano-Cortina games begin, the NHL returns to the Olympic stage for the first time in 12 years.
In 2026, the NHL’s top stars feature in what the league hopes to be a success. In 2018 and 2022, the NHL did not send their players to the Olympics, with Russia and Finland taking gold in the two previous Olympic Winter Games.
The NHL takes a pause beginning later this week before the international-rostered players take their flights to join their comrades in Italy ahead of the first men’s hockey games on Feb. 11.
Over half-way through the 2025-26 NHL season, there have been surprises galore. With top teams underperforming, ‘lower’ teams exceeding expectations, rookies showing off their skills, and a renaissance in some beloved veterans, this hockey season has had it all.
Pacific Division:
Vegas continues to add to their stacked roster, recently acquiring Rasmus Andersson from Calgary, and are locked in a battle for first place with Edmonton. The Anaheim Ducks started out hot, but their streak fizzled, but they’re only a few points away from catching up to the Golden Knights.
Macklin Celebrini has been on another planet this season, leading a lowly-thought-of San Jose Sharks team in the midst of a battle for a playoff spot. Rounding out the rest of the division are Seattle, Calgary and Vancouver.
Central Division:
The NHL’s top team this season in the Colorado Avalanche have been lights out, losing only six games in regulation. The Minnesota Wild, after acquiring Quinn Hughes have been great as well. The Dallas Stars and Utah Mammoth are locked in a battle for third place in the division.
The Winnipeg Jets have been possibly the most disappointing team in the league this season, sitting near the bottom of the NHL standings. The St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators are really no different than a season prior.
Metropolitan Division:
Overall, the Metropolitan has been by far the most competitive this season. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been a massive surprise, sitting in second place despite being thought of as contenders to finish near the bottom of the league.
Elsewhere in Philadelphia, a hot start has fizzled out as the Flyers have found themselves in a slide since the beginning of January. New head coach Rick Tochett has turned the locker room around though. Carolina unsurprisingly leads the division, with a number of great players continuing their great form.
Washington continues to be competitive. In New York, the Rangers have been quite disappointing, and are beginning the early phases of a slight rebuild. On Long Island, the Islanders have been very good, with rookie Matthew Schaefer the front-runner for the Calder Trophy.
Atlantic Division:
The Florida Panthers have been quite disappointing, but they’ve had many key contributors including Sasha Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk both out long-term with injuries. Elsewhere in the Sunshine State, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been great, but are locked in a battle for first place with the Detroit Red Wings.
Buffalo is on an absolute heater as of late, while Montreal started out well but have been in a bit of a rut, despite having one of the deeper rosters in the NHL. Ottawa and Toronto have been short of greatness for their fans in Ontario, while the Boston Bruins have been sub-par, but have the players to make at least a first-round playoff appearance.
With the Olympic Games coming very shortly, the NHL will be on pause from Feb. 6 to Feb. 25, when teams come back to play ahead of the trade deadline in early March. From there, it’ll be all hands on deck as contenders aim their sights towards Lord Stanley’s Cup.
