With the preliminary round of the 2026 Winter Olympics in the rearview, the New Jersey Devils currently have seven players still in the running for gold. After a difficult season, there’s no denying that the team needs to get back on track. And now that they have the fifth-worst odds to make the playoffs (2.3%), it’s important that the Devils refine their style of play immediately after the break.
With that being said, here is an analysis of how the Devils have been performing in the men’s hockey tournament so far, as well as how it can impact the rest of the season.
“Swiss Trio” Making Waves in Milan
Switzerland has 10 NHL players on their roster, and the Devils sent their infamous “Swiss Trio” to Milan — Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler. So far, they’ve made solid contributions, and Team Switzerland has a 2-1-0-1 record, putting them in second place for Group A. After shutting out Italy 3-0, they secured a spot in the quarterfinals.
Meier had the best start to the tournament out of all the Devils, tallying seven points in four games. He’s scored three goals, including one on the power play, with 15 shots on goal and a plus-6 rating. His aggressive, physical style of play has come in handy, with two goals against France and a two-point game in Switzerland’s 4-3 overtime victory against Czechia.
Team Switzerland goes TIC-TAC-TOE for a beautiful goal and the 3-0 lead. 😮💨#WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/1XyARS0aFJ
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2026
Hischier and Seigenthaler are also leading the way. After a three-point game against Italy, which included his first Olympic goal, the Devils’ captain has been phenomenal at generating scoring chances and helping his teammates find the back of the net. Similarly, Siegenthaler has been playing huge minutes for Switzerland, averaging 19:35 per game on the second defensive pairing. He’s proven to be a solid shutdown defenseman, similar to his current role in New Jersey.
With all three players having a significant impact, it can serve to increase the Devils’ confidence for the remainder of the season. “Meier Madness” seems to have come one month early. Hischier remains their top center, and Siegenthaler provides defensive stability.
The Offensive Dominance of Simon Nemec
At 22 years old, Simon Nemec is the youngest defenseman on Team Slovakia, but he’s been invaluable to their success. Unsurprisingly, he’s been offensively dominant, with two primary assists and 10 shots on goal. He’s taken all of his responsibilities in stride, excelling on the top defensive pair alongside Martin Fehervary.
His efforts played a large part in Slovakia clinching Group B, despite losing 5-3 on Saturday. Their goal differential proved to be the deciding factor in securing a bye headed into the quarterfinals, breaking the tie between Sweden and Finland. Then, against Germany, Nemec fired one shot on goal and had 21:51 ice time in their 6-2 quarterfinal victory.
Nemec’s Olympic performance is the cherry on top of what has already been a breakout season. He’s currently on pace for 38 points, which would be a career high. Likewise, he’s cemented himself as a promising offensive defenseman with eight goals, three of which served as the game-winner. If the Devils have any chance of finishing the season with a decent win streak, Nemec’s offensive efforts are expected to play a significant role.
Jack Hughes Shines for Team USA
Hughes might be the only Devil on Team USA, but he continues to prove why he’s considered an elite talent across the NHL. Even averaging 12 minutes per game on the fourth line, he still has three points and a plus-4 rating in three games.
It all started with a two-point game in the United States’ 5-1 win over Latvia. Hughes instantly generated chemistry on the wing of Colorado Avalanche’s Brock Nelson, picking up the primary assist on both of his goals during the second period. He also scored the final goal against Denmark on Saturday, putting the USA up 6-3.
No one could use this confidence boost quite like Hughes. He’s played just 36 games this season, missing time after having hand surgery, along with suffering a lower-body injury right before the break. As long as he can return to New Jersey after the tournament healthy and well-rested, he’ll be expected to contribute on a consistent basis.
Bratt & Markstrom Struggle on Team Sweden
Out of everyone, Bratt and Markstrom are having difficulties on Team Sweden. Initially, Bratt had a solid showing against Italy, with one assist in their dominant 5-2 victory. But things only went downhill from there. In the following game, his ice time was significantly limited, and he was benched in Saturday’s game against Slovakia. He was scratched once more against Latvia, listed as the 13th forward while Team Sweden secured a spot in the quarterfinals.
Bratt has been a dominant force for the Devils all season long, leading the team in assists (28) and ranking second in points (41). Hopefully, his limited ice time at the Olympics will only be a temporary setback, and he can continue to be an offensive juggernaut after the break.
Related: Devils Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines — “Timo Time,” Jesper Bratt Is Benched, and More
Markstrom has been in net only once for Sweden, but their 5-3 victory wasn’t a cause for celebration. Instead, he gave up a late goal in the third period after choosing to play the puck. One turnover later, it allowed Slovakia to move ahead to the quarterfinals. Even after making 29 saves, his Olympic performance is similar to his woes with the Devils — inconsistent and giving up goals in crucial moments. But luckily, he was able to turn things around, with a 5-1 win over Latvia, making a total of 20 saves.
Moving forward, the Devils need Markstrom to work on his confidence under pressure. He’s struggled all season long, with a .882 save percentage (SV%) and a 3.20 goals-against average (GAA). Can he redeem himself in the final stretch of the season?
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