Canada and France to Face Off in Olympic Men's Hockey

Both teams have already secured spots in the playoff round of the 2026 Winter Olympics hockey tournament.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The group stage of the 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament comes to a close today with a matchup between Canada and France. Team Canada enters the game with a 2-0 record and a guaranteed spot in the quarterfinals, while France has already clinched a spot in the playoff qualification round despite an 0-2 record. The game is scheduled to start at 10:40 a.m. ET and will be broadcast on CNBC.

Why it matters

This game is the final contest of the group stage, but the playoff positions for both teams have already been determined. The outcome will not affect their advancement, but it will provide an opportunity for both squads to fine-tune their play ahead of the knockout rounds.

The details

Canada has been dominant in the tournament so far, outscoring opponents 9-1 in their first two games. Connor McDavid has led the way with three points in each contest. France, on the other hand, has struggled, going 0-2 in the round-robin. However, the team has already secured a spot in the playoff qualification round.

  • The game is scheduled for Feb. 15, 2026 at 10:40 a.m. ET.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics will conclude with the closing ceremony on Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

The players

Connor McDavid

The star forward for the Canadian national team and the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL.

Alexandre Texier

The French forward who plays for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to fine-tune our game and build momentum heading into the playoff rounds.”

— Connor McDavid (New York Post)

“Making the playoff qualification round is a big accomplishment for our team, but we want to show we can compete with the best in the tournament.”

— Alexandre Texier (New York Post)

What’s next

The winner of the Canada-France game will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between the second-place team from Group B and the third-place team from Group A on February 17.

The takeaway

This game provides a preview of the talent and competitiveness that fans can expect to see in the upcoming playoff rounds of the 2026 Winter Olympics men's ice hockey tournament.