The preliminary round of the men’s ice hockey tournament in the 2026 Winter Olympics is in the books. The Tampa Bay Lightning have their reps overseas, either already bound for the quarterfinals or vying for a spot in the qualification playoff.
Let’s take a look at where each player representing the Lightning and their home country stands as they get set for the knockout stage. We’ll look at each player according to country.
United States: Jake Guentzel
The Lightning’s top-line winger has a single goal to his name in the Olympics thus far. However, it came at a clutch time as the United States battled to stay ahead of Denmark on Saturday.
The Danes had put themselves within a goal, 4-3, heading into the final period of play. The Americans needed a response, and Jake Guentzel had it in the early minutes of the period. He corralled a pass by Matthews in front of the net and fired to the back of the net to give his team the cushion they needed to finish off the game. The United States went on to win 6-3.
At the end of the preliminary round, the United States sit at 3-0-0-0, the only team, other than Canada, to make it out of this stage undefeated. They’ll play the winner of Sweden vs. Latvia on Wednesday.
Canada: Brandon Hagel
Brandon Hagel found the back of the net for the first time when he helped Canada run up the score on France on Sunday. It was the first time he made his way onto the scoresheet. In the final minutes of the third period, he helped put the finishing touches on the curbstomping by scoring the ninth of 10 goals scored by Canada.
Canada finished the preliminary round 3-0-0-0, and in first place in Group A. They’ve advanced to the quarterfinals, the second round of the knockout stage. They’ll face the winner of the matchup between Czechia and Denmark on Wednesday.
Sweden: Victor Hedman, Pontus Holmberg
It’s been a solid performance for the Lightning captain so far in the Olympics. Victor Hedman has tallied a goal and an assist for his home country. The goal came with an empty net as the Swedes put the dagger in against Italy to open Olympic play on Feb. 11.
In the game against Slovakia on Saturday, he assisted on the go-ahead goal by Elias Pettersson to make it 3-2. Sweden went on to win 5-3.
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On the flipside, Pontus Holmberg has been quiet on the scoring front. He’s yet to get himself on the scoresheet. He’ll have a chance to get his moment when Sweden takes on Latvia in the qualification round. That game will take place on Tuesday.
Despite a 2-0-0-1 record, Sweden finished in third place in Group B during the preliminary round. They’ll take on Latvia on Tuesday, looking to advance to the quarterfinals.
Denmark: Oliver Bjorkstrand
Oliver Bjorkstrand has made his way onto the scoresheet for Denmark once so far in Olympic play. He assisted on a goal by Nikolaj Ehlers to extend Denmark’s lead over Latvia to 3-0. They’d go on to win 4-2.
Denmark fights to stay alive as the tournament enters the knockout stage. They just need to get past Czechia in the qualification round on Tuesday.
Slovakia: Erik Cernak
So far, Erik Cernak has yet to get himself on the scoresheet for Slovakia. He’s heading to the quarterfinals with his home country after a first-place finish in the preliminary round (Group B). They’ll play the winner of the game between Germany and France on Wednesday.
Latvia: Zemgus Girgensons
Zemgus Girgensons has had one of the better performances by a Lightning player so far in the Olympics. He’s tallied four points so far, all assists, in three games played. His efforts played a major role in Latvia’s upset over Germany on Saturday. Two of his assists came in the game, including a game-tying score and a go-ahead.
Latvia finished the preliminary round 1-0-0-2. They have at least one more shot in the aforementioned matchup against Sweden.
Switzerland: JJ Moser
Like Girgensons, JJ Moser has been making the most of his chance to play on the world stage. He’s picked up four points through three games, tallying a goal and three assists.
Two of those assists came in the overtime win over Czechia on Sunday. His other two points came in the win over France to open Olympic play on Feb. 12. Switzerland will take on Italy in the qualification round on Tuesday, with the winner playing Finland on Wednesday.
Three of the teams in the quarterfinals have a member of the Lightning helping them in the hunt for a gold medal.
