Slovakia vs Germany: Olympic Hockey Quarterfinal Preview & Key Takeaways
The men’s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 saw intense qualifying playoff action on Tuesday. Team Germany secured a decisive 5-1 victory over Team France, while Team Switzerland dominated Team Italy with a 3-0 win. Team Czechia narrowly defeated Team Denmark 3-2, and Team Sweden proved too strong for Team Latvia, winning 5-1. NHL.com is providing on-site coverage, and here are five key takeaways from Day 7 of the tournament.
Markstrom Shines for Sweden
Jacob Markstrom continues to impress for Team Sweden, delivering consecutive quality starts. While his status for Wednesday’s quarterfinal against Team USA is uncertain due to the possibility of playing on back-to-back nights, he’s firmly established himself as coach Sam Hallam’s preferred goaltender. Markstrom made 20 saves in the 5-1 win against Team Latvia and 29 saves in a 5-3 win against Team Slovakia. A late goal against Slovakia forced Sweden into the qualification round, but Markstrom’s consistency has been crucial.
In contrast, Filip Gustavsson has appeared less steady, allowing three first-period goals in his two starts. Hallam opted for Jesper Wallstedt as the backup on Tuesday, potentially to keep Gustavsson fresh for the U.S. game, but it’s clear Markstrom is the go-to goalie in high-stakes situations.
Czechia’s Strategic ‘Loss’ to Canada
In a surprising revelation, Team Czechia admitted their 5-0 loss to Team Canada in the preliminary round was a deliberate strategy. Martin Necas and Tomas Hertl jokingly explained that they believed beating Canada twice in the same tournament would be impossible, so they conceded the first game to improve their chances in a potential rematch. “Exactly, that was our plan, because we say we can’t probably beat Canada in same tournament twice,” Hertl said. “So we give them the first win. So now it’s our turn.”
Switzerland’s Solid Performance
Switzerland advanced to the quarterfinals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Italy. They dominated the shot count (51-20), capitalized on the power play (2-for-5), and secured a perfect penalty kill record (2-for-2). Goalie Leonardo Genoni recorded his second shutout of the tournament. Despite Finland being the favorites, Switzerland’s recent form and consistent play make them a formidable opponent. Swiss captain Roman Josi acknowledged Finland’s strength, stating, “If you look at that track record, I think that they are [the favorite]. I mean, they have an amazing team….”
Germany’s Lethal Line: Draisaitl, Peterka & Stutzle
Team Germany’s 5-1 win against Team France showcased the potent combination of Leon Draisaitl, JJ Peterka, and Tim Stutzle on the same line. Peterka scored his first Olympic goal as a result of their synergy. This line will be pivotal in Wednesday’s quarterfinal against Team Slovakia. Nico Sturm highlighted Draisaitl’s exceptional puck-protection skills and ability to create scoring opportunities, calling the line “as lethal as he gets.”
Team Updates & Lineup Decisions
Both Canada and the United States held practices on Tuesday, with all players appearing healthy. For Canada, the question remains whether Brad Marchand will return to the lineup for their quarterfinal against Czechia. For the U.S., defenseman Charlie McAvoy practiced without a full face guard, while forward Brock Nelson continued to wear one, leaving coach Mike Sullivan with key lineup decisions to make before facing Sweden.
Stay tuned for continued coverage of the Men’s Hockey action at the Olympic Winter Games. You can find more information on NHL.com.
