The men's hockey tournament at Milano Cortina 2026 shifts into playoff mode after Sunday's prelims wrap-up, and the Canadiens trio of Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky and Oliver Kapanen sits pretty with first-round byes for Canada, Slovakia and Finland. Qualification games Tuesday will reveal their quarterfinal foes on Wednesday, while Alexandre Texier and France fight Germany for survival. Habs fans mark your calendars - these NHL stars chase gold with the league's eyes locked on every shift.

Anton Lundell and Oliver Kapanen sit out for Finland due to illness, thinning their Olympic lineup at a critical juncture. Coaches scramble to adjust lines without these Panthers and Leafs prospects in Milan. The absence tests Finland's depth as group implications loom large.

Finland rolls out an Olympic roster stacked with NHL stars like Miro Heiskanen, Sebastian Aho and Roope Hintz, but captain Aleksander Barkov sits out with his knee injury from the Panthers' season. GM Jere Lehtinen plugged the gaps by adding Kraken sniper Eeli Tolvanen and Habs prospect Oliver Kapanen to keep the leadership flowing without their heart-and-soul center.

Oliver Kapanen emerges as Montreal's breakout story this season, turning heads with mature two-way play that belies his prospect label. The Canadiens' brain trust didn't expect this instant impact, but Kapanen's speed and IQ force top-six consideration amid rebuild woes. His emergence adds intrigue to a Habs lineup blending youth and vets for future contention.

Insiders buzz that the surging Canadiens, sitting pretty in sixth before the Olympic break, circle back to St. Louis for Jordan Kyrou after multiple offseason flirtations. GM Kent Hughes shifts focus from center to top-line winger now that Oliver Kapanen shines, but Kyrou's no-movement clause and $8.125 million cap hit complicate the dance with Doug Armstrong.