After more than a decade, the NHL’s participation brings true best-on-best hockey to the Milan Cortina Olympics. Stars like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Leon Draisaitl and David Pastrnak will finally chase Olympic gold.[1] Every nation fields a compelling roster, from powerhouses to underdogs, each with unique storylines and pivotal X factors.
These intangibles or breakout performers could swing games, groups and medals. From home crowds in Italy to goaltending battles among favorites, here’s a deep dive into the one player or element per team that might make the difference.
Italy: Leveraging home soil and fan fervor
Italy hosts the tournament but lacks NHL depth, prioritizing familiarity over experience. The electric atmosphere from passionate soccer-style supporters could spark overperformance. Imagine arenas rocking like during a Serie A derby, fueling the squad against stronger foes like Slovakia or Germany.
Outstanding goaltending and timely luck might secure upsets. Italy’s camaraderie shines, building belief in miracles. A medal run seems distant, but competitive showings grow the fanbase and hint at future potential. Read more on Olympic previews here.
This boost transcends talent gaps. Crowds have lifted lesser teams before, like in past Worlds. Italy’s resolve, amplified by roars, keeps pucks out and hearts in.
France: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare’s veteran resurgence
France leans on one NHLer amid youth, but 41-year-old Pierre-Edouard Bellemare anchors with 700 games and two Cup Final runs. Finding youth’s fountain ignites him alongside Alexandre Texier. Key faceoffs, penalty kills and net-front grit target stars like Pastrnak or McDavid.
Bellemare’s defensive reliability shines in prelims. No offensive wizard, he frustrates top lines. Close games hinge on his poise.
France faces steep odds, but Bellemare’s leadership elevates. Playing with Texier rekindles fire. His role exemplifies veteran impact in underdog bids.
Latvia: Goaltending as the great equalizer
Latvia boasts three netminders with pedigree: Kristers Gudlevskis’ Olympic chops, Elvis Merzlikins and Arturs Silovs, fresh off an AHL Calder Cup win. Facing shot barrages, they provide stability.[1]
Pesky forecheck and junior success pair with stellar stops for scares. Quarterfinal upsets loom if lightning strikes.
North American goalies handle prelim loads. High-volume saves keep Latvia striking distance.
National spirit thrives here. Goaltending turns good teams great.
Denmark: Wingers Ehlers and Bjorkstrand ignite
Frederik Andersen dominates pipes, rivaling all but USA. Yet scoring wingers Nikolaj Ehlers and Oliver Bjorkstrand drive success. Elevated roles demand rush creation, cycles and power-play magic.
Ehlers’ speed visions chances; Bjorkstrand snipes. Andersen’s closes enable wing wizardry.
Group escape relies on their output. NHL minutes pale to Olympic burdens.
Denmark’s fate ties to this duo’s firepower.
Slovakia: Young guns lead the charge
Simon Nemec, Juraj Slafkovsky and Dalibor Dvorsky form Slovakia’s future core. Nemec’s OT prowess, Slafkovsky’s power-forward game and Dvorsky’s dekes dazzle.
Bigger roles than NHL clubs test them. Nemec breaks games from blue; Slafkovsky grinds offensively.
Dvorsky’s shootout snarl adds edge. Youth fuels deep runs.
Slovakia’s medal hopes rest here.
Germany: Leon Draisaitl’s superstar dominance
Hart contender Draisaitl towers, end-to-end threat with Tim Stutzle. 25+ minutes nightly, he offsets depth limits.
Best on ice vs. Latvia/Denmark, game-breaker vs. USA. Goaltending pairs perfectly.
Minute management preserves peak. Germans upset powers if he erupts.
Switzerland: New Jersey Devils trio steps up
Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Jonas Siegenthaler echo Devils’ style. Siegenthaler shuts down behind Roman Josi; Hischier Selke-level matches top foes.
Meier powers through for Fiala setups. Faceoff wins launch attacks.
Medal push demands their best vs. Canada/Czechia.
Czechia: Lukas Dostal’s Vezina form returns
Dostal’s early-season brilliance suits Czech defense. High-danger mastery outshines Vladar/Vejmelka.
Ducks’ chaos preps him for onslaughts. Starter role backstops medals.
Quarterfinal exits loom sans him.
Finland: Juuse Saros without Barkov
Saros steals sans Aleksander Barkov, behind Aho/Hintz/Lundell. Elite at best, world-class backbone.
Staunch D elevates him. Medal contender status holds.
Sweden: Elias Pettersson rediscovers form
Injuries test depth; Pettersson must power-play shine. Tre Kronor magic awakens him.
Nylander/Forsberg/Zibanejad reliable; he boosts gold quest.
United States: Goaltending trinity shines
Hellebuyck, Oettinger, Swayman demand Vezina play sans Caufield/Robertson. Low-score blueprint needs stellar nets.
Ups/downs define them. Gold or bust via pipes.
Canada: Superstars at peak powers
McDavid/MacKinnon/Crosby/Makar dominate; depth leaves Bedard home. Big moments seal it.
Binnington wildcard if starter.
The tournament’s drama peaks through these X factors. Whether underdogs stun or favorites falter, Milan Cortina promises hockey history. Watch how these elements unfold—medals await the breakthroughs. Roster grades and snubs.[2]
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.