Olympic Break Ends, and the NHL’s Stars Drive the Playoff Push
Connor Hellebuyck during a game against the Seattle Kraken. Photo credits: Jenn G.
Written By Gina Anton
MILAN — The NHL’s return from its Olympic break ushers back players riding high after standout performances for their countries at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina, and fans are watching closely to see how the momentum from international ice will shape the Stanley Cup chase.
Leading the group is Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers captain and Olympic tournament MVP, who piled up a record-breaking 13 points in six games for Team Canada. McDavid’s dominance included setting a new Olympic mark for points in a single tournament, and he returns to the NHL still a force in the league scoring race.
“I just want to be in Edmonton, playing hockey. I want to get back there again, whatever it takes,” McDavid said after Team Canada’s loss.
Team USA Gold Medal Boost
The USA also had heroes to welcome home. Jack Hughes delivered the dramatic overtime winner in the gold medal game and finished as one of his team’s top producers, giving his New Jersey Devils a potent scoring gear to tap into this spring.
“An exceptional goal, exceptional moment,” New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe said. “So happy for Jack. Once you get to the 3-on-3 you know that it's going to be tailor-made for him to have a big moment like that.”
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was equally impressive between the pipes for the Americans, turning aside an overwhelming number of chances and anchoring the U.S. to its first Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1980. The Connor Hellebuyck performance has Jets fans and coaches buzzing about the boost the team’s postseason hopes could receive if he carries that form forward.
Defense and Depth Shine
Not to be overlooked, Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks emerged as one of the top defensemen in the tournament, and Macklin Celebrini , among the youngest skaters, showed flashes of a generational talent with standout scoring for Canada. Those performances could translate into big moments for their respective NHL clubs in games that often come down to depth contributions.
On the American side, Dylan Larkin, captain of the Detroit Red Wings, returns from the Olympics energized by Team USA’s success. Red Wings coach Todd McLellan expressed pride in Larkin’s performance and said the momentum from the Games will help his team fight during the playoffs.
“We couldn’t be more proud of Dylan and the way he carried himself throughout the tournament,” McLellan said. “He was a factor in a lot of things but ultimately, he won. He played a big role in it. He wasn’t just an auxiliary piece. We’re really proud of him. We’re happy for him. The experience there and the ability to play in big games under pressure like that can only do good things for him.”
Injuries and Adjustments
Despite the brightness, not all Olympic stories end in seamless transitions. Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey will miss significant time due to an injury sustained early in the games, a blow to a Winnipeg club fighting for postseason relevance. Reflecting on Morrissey’s situation ahead of the Olympic final, Canada head coach Jon Cooper acknowledged the difficulty of managing injured players in high-stakes competition
“We want Josh in this game. He helps us with puck moving and everything he does, but in the end, if you're not physically able to do it...” said Cooper
As NHL teams resume regular-season schedules this week, with much of the league’s playoff picture still unsettled, coaches and general managers alike say keeping players healthy and harnessing the confidence built on the world stage will be key.
Some players have returned to their NHL clubs this week visibly energized by the competition and patriotic intensity of international play, while others may need a few games to get back into the rhythm of a long season. But there’s little doubt among coaches that the Olympics added a compelling chapter to what has already been an unpredictable and memorable campaign.
