Olympics, outside video games, Panthers 3-peat bid will spotlight 2025-26 season

Canada received the previous 4 best-on-best tournaments. The United States hasn’t received Olympic gold since Lake Placid in 1980 or a best-on-best event because the World Cup of Hockey in 1996. But the United States defeated Canada in Montreal within the 4 Nations Face-Off final season and took its archrival to extra time of the championship sport. That will likely be at the back of the Americans’ minds, pushing them.

“The expectation is to go to Milan and win the gold medal, and I think anything short of that would be disappointing,” stated Jack Eichel, a middle for the Vegas Golden Knights and the United States.

After the Olympics, we’ll go straight into the stretch run and the playoffs. The Panthers have received back-to-back championships and may change into the primary to win three in a row because the New York Islanders received 4 straight from 1980-83. But they’re already going through adversity, beginning the season with out two of their high gamers. Forward Matthew Tkachuk (decrease physique) is out till doubtless December; captain Aleksander Barkov (knee) is out 7-9 months.

The race is huge open. Many groups have a legit shot on the playoffs, together with the one in Utah — taking part in its first season because the Utah Mammoth, after its inaugural season because the Utah Hockey Club. Several have a legit shot on the Cup, together with the Dallas Stars, who will play their first full season with ahead Mikko Rantanen, and the Golden Knights, who’ve added one other famous person in ahead Mitch Marner.

“It’s definitely tough,” Makar stated. “But it makes it more enjoyable when you come out on top.”