Connor Mcdavid named Olympics MVP; connor mcdavid leads Canada
connor mcdavid was voted most valuable player and best forward at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 after posting 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in six games. The Edmonton Oilers captain, who served as Team Canada captain for the final two games in place of an injured Sidney Crosby, broke a record shared by Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu (11 each) at the 2006 Torino Games for most points at an Olympics with NHL participation.
Connor Mcdavid's tournament haul
McDavid finished the tournament with 13 points — two goals and 11 assists — in six games, surpassing the 11-point mark set by Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu at the 2006 Torino Games. The Oilers captain filled the captain's role for Team Canada in the final two games after Sidney Crosby was sidelined with an injury. McDavid's NHL season totals remain 96 points (34 goals, 62 assists) in 58 games, numbers that lead the league and have him contending for his sixth Art Ross Trophy and fourth Hart Trophy.
Hellebuyck's decisive performance
Connor Hellebuyck turned in a 41-save outing that earned him best goaltender honors and helped give Team USA its first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 Lake Placid Games in a 2-1 overtime win against Canada. The Winnipeg Jets goalie broke Ryan Miller's gold-game saves mark (36 at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics) in a gold medal game with NHL players. In the final he stopped McDavid on a breakaway in the second period, made a desperation stick save against Devon Toews in the opening minutes of the third, and finished the tournament 5-0-0-0 with a 1. 18 goals-against average and a. 956 save percentage.
Hellebuyck called the experience surreal: "It's a dream come true. I love this group. We had so much fun over here, we grinded, we battled. This is some of the best and most fun hockey ever played. It still hasn't truthfully sunk in. Who knows how long it's going to last? It's surreal. " Hellebuyck is the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner and, in league play, is 13-16-7 with a 2. 79 GAA and a. 900 save percentage.
Quinn Hughes and tournament defense
Quinn Hughes, voted best defenseman, scored in overtime to give the U. S. a 2-1 quarterfinal win against Team Sweden. He finished the tournament with eight points (one goal, seven assists), tying Sweden's Erik Karlsson (2014 Sochi Olympics) and Brian Rafalski of the U. S. for the most by a defenseman in a single tournament. Hughes praised Hellebuyck's work in the final: "Hellebuyck was insane. You saw the looks they had. Canada's an insane team out there. The game's never been faster. It's never been more skilled. And they've got some special players, Hall of Famers, all over their team. " Hughes and the Minnesota Wild return to the NHL with a visit to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday holding the first wild card in the West.
Jack Hughes' golden goal and history
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes scored the golden goal 1: 41 into overtime in the final, delivering redemption for a 3-2 OT loss to Canada in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 20, 2025. He and Sidney Crosby are the two players to score in OT of an Olympic gold-medal game with NHL players. Jack Hughes reflected on the moment: "The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong. We have so much support from our players. I'm so proud of the Americans today. USA Hockey, brotherhood, means so much. " After 46 years, the Americans sit atop the hockey world once again.
Sidney Crosby's decision and aftermath
Sydney Crosby did not play in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics gold medal match. The Canadian captain explained his choice: "I just didn't feel like I was able to play. I didn't think I'd be in that position after the Czech game. I think our medical staff was incredible and, unfortunately, I wasn't able to go. You saw that game, it was incredible hockey. It was a tough decision. In your head, you always want to be out there and find every way possible, but not at the expense of what needs to be done. " The decision was framed as an effort to preserve his health; Coach Jon Cooper still had a wealth of talent on offense with players such as Macklin Celebrini, Connor Mcdavid, and Nick Suzuki. Crosby skated alongside his teammates to receive the Olympic silver medal. He added: "It might have crossed my mind. But ultimately, it was about what's best for our group and what gives us the best chance to win. And it becomes pretty clear at that point if I'm not able to go, then I'm not going to compromise our team or put myself out of that. It might have crossed my mind, but ultimately, that's not how you make your decision. " On the loss he said: "It's just disappointment. I think for numerous reasons, it's not fun when you lose, regardless of how it happens or the outcome. I just feel for the entire group and the entire situation. " The coverage noted that this may have been the final time that Crosby will don the Canada maple leaf on his chest, and added: "Hopefully, he is able to recover soon so that the Penguins' Stanley Cup hopes remain alive. " Bill Price wrote about Crosby's explanation in the context of the tournament coverage.
NHL return schedule and standings impact
The Edmonton Oilers return from the Olympic break with a visit to the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. The Winnipeg Jets visit the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, trailing the Ducks by 11 points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference, one season after winning the Presidents' Trophy with an NHL-high 116 points. The Minnesota Wild visit the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday holding the first wild card in the West. McDavid's NHL-leading 96 points (34 goals, 62 assists) in 58 games remain central to Edmonton's season, and Hellebuyck's regular-season record sits at 13-16-7 with a 2. 79 GAA and a. 900 save percentage.
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The Olympic tournament left McDavid with the MVP trophy and best forward honors for Canada, Hellebuyck with best goaltender and gold with the U. S., and Quinn Hughes with best defenseman as the U. S. claimed the top prize.
