Kevin Fiala opens Switzerland’s Olympic bid with assist, eyes Friday test vs Canada

Kevin Fiala wasted no time getting on the board at the Winter Olympics, picking up an assist and finishing plus-two in Switzerland’s tournament opener on Thursday morning Eastern Time. With the quick-turn group slate, Switzerland pivots immediately to a headline matchup against Canada on Friday afternoon.

Fast start for Switzerland’s playmaker

The Swiss forward registered an assist in Thursday’s early window against France, a tidy opening statement for a player counted on to drive offense against deep international blue lines. The plus-two line underscores Fiala’s positive on-ice swing in all-situation play during Switzerland’s first outing, a valuable box-check in a short group stage where every shift can tilt seeding.

Reading Thursday’s numbers

Beyond the point, the plus-two rating offers a compact snapshot of impact: when Fiala was out there, Switzerland outscored its opponent. In a tournament that compresses games and travel into a tight schedule, early contributions like this can stabilize roles and set rhythm for a team aiming to climb the group ladder. Switzerland doesn’t need gaudy totals from its forwards every game—timely touches and strong possession minutes can be just as decisive.

Next up: Canada on Friday at 3: 10 p. m. ET

Switzerland’s next test arrives swiftly against a Canadian side that opened with a 5-0 win over Czechia on Thursday. Canada leaned into veteran steadiness on the back end after Josh Morrissey exited the opener, with a seasoned defender sliding into elevated minutes and helping drive clean exits and zone keeps alongside Thomas Harley. With Cale Makar and Devon Toews also eating big minutes, Switzerland’s forwards—Fiala included—will see a mix of speed, puck denial and quick counterpunching from Canada’s defense corps.

For Switzerland, the formula is straightforward, if demanding: manage Canada’s forecheck, value the first pass, and make the most of limited looks. Fiala’s ability to turn small pockets of space into chances will be central to creating odd-man sequences and drawing penalties, the kind of moments that can reshape a tight game.

Switzerland’s group slate and ET viewing windows

The Swiss schedule stacks early alarms with a marquee matinee for viewers on the East Coast:

• Thursday, Feb. 12, 6: 10 a. m. ET: Switzerland vs. France (completed)
• Friday, Feb. 13, 3: 10 p. m. ET: Switzerland vs. Canada
• Sunday, Feb. 15, 6: 10 a. m. ET: Switzerland vs. Czechia

With two games arriving within roughly 48 hours, bench management and special-teams efficiency loom large. Banking early points can ease the path into the knockout round; dropping into chase mode means leaning harder on top forwards and inviting fatigue. Switzerland’s early finish from Fiala helps frame the stakes heading into Friday.

Kings connections across the Games

Fiala is one of five players from his NHL club rostered at these Olympics. Alongside the Swiss winger, the group includes representatives for Canada on defense and in goal, a forward for Sweden, and a forward for Finland. That cross-team presence has already intersected with Thursday’s results: Canada’s blue line showed its depth in the opener, and Fiala posted his first point for Switzerland. The intertwining storylines continue Friday when Switzerland meets Canada at 3: 10 p. m. ET, a matchup that will pit Fiala directly against several familiar NHL faces.

Bottom line: Switzerland has its playmaker rolling, and a swift step up in competition is next. If Fiala’s opening touch is a sign of what’s to come, Friday’s clash could be a statement opportunity in a short tournament that rewards immediacy.