Sebastian Aho finally shakes off his Olympic goose egg with a pair of goals, leading Finland's NHL-heavy lineup in a demolition of host Italy that sets a new benchmark for blowouts in these games. The Hurricanes star links up seamlessly with linemates like Teuvo Teravainen and Artturi Lehkonen, turning what was a quiet tournament start into a statement performance amid a barrage from guys like Kaapo Kakko and Mikael Granlund.

Artturi Lehkonen battles like the Avs grinder he is, but Slovakia crashes the party with a shocking upset over the defending champs. NHL stars like Juraj Slafkovsky light it up for the Slovaks while Finland's big guns misfire despite outshooting them silly. This early Olympic jolt has Group B scrambling, as Finland stares down a must-win against Sweden with their gold repeat dreams dangling.

Artturi Lehkonen delivers a two-goal masterclass while Nathan MacKinnon notches his 700th NHL assist to lead the Avalanche past the Sharks 4-2. MacKinnon's milestone underscores his generational playmaking in a season where Colorado chases redemption after recent playoff heartbreaks. This win bolsters their Pacific push, but sustaining momentum against elite competition remains the real test for a Cup-or-bust roster.

Old Finnish pals Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen reunite on the international stage, facing Slovakia with plenty of chemistry to exploit. Years of shared shifts in Denver translate to Olympic mischief, where their size and skill could overwhelm early opponents. Teammates lean on this duo to set the tone for Finland's medal hunt.

Sebastian Aho steps up as alternate captain for Finland, joining Mikael Granlund and Mikko Rantanen in the leadership core as they chase another Olympic gold in Milano Cortina. The Hurricanes star, fresh off wearing the 'A' for Carolina and at the 4 Nations Face-Off, reunites on the ice with old linemate Teuvo Teravainen alongside Artturi Lehkonen in early practices.

Artturi Lehkonen continues his quiet dominance with a two-goal night, while Nathan MacKinnon notches his 700th assist in a gritty road win for the Avalanche over the Sharks. Colorado's top line looks unstoppable as they build momentum heading into the Olympic break, with MacKinnon's milestone underscoring why he's the league's engine. This victory keeps the Avs firmly in the Central mix, where every point counts with the trade deadline looming.