Olympic Men's Hockey Starts Today. How to Watch, Which Florida Panthers to Root For

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The 2026 Winter Olympic men's hockey tournament kicks off today in Milan, Italy, with several Florida Panthers players representing their home countries. Team Finland features Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola, while Gus Forsling will suit up for Sweden. The United States team includes Matthew Tkachuk, though Seth Jones had to withdraw due to injury. In total, the Panthers have 10 players competing in the Olympics, the most of any NHL team.

Why it matters

The Olympics provide a global stage for hockey players to showcase their skills and compete for the ultimate prize - a gold medal. For the Florida Panthers, having 10 players represent their countries is a testament to the team's depth and talent. This tournament will be an opportunity for these Panthers to gain valuable international experience and raise their profiles on the world stage.

The details

The men's hockey tournament opens today with several key matchups. At 10:40 a.m., Team Finland faces off against Slovakia, while Sweden takes on Italy at 3:10 p.m. All games will be streamed on Peacock in the United States. The tournament runs through February 22nd, with the gold medal game scheduled for that date.

• The men's hockey tournament opens today, February 11, 2026.
• Team Finland plays Slovakia at 10:40 a.m. today.
• Sweden faces Italy at 3:10 p.m. today.
• The tournament runs through February 22, 2026, with the gold medal game on that date.

What’s next

The tournament will continue with group play over the next several days, leading up to the playoff rounds and the gold medal game on February 22nd.