Canada Dominates France in Olympic Hockey, McDavid Sets New Scoring Record

Milano Santagiulia Arena witnessed a dominant performance by Canada’s men’s ice hockey team on Sunday, February 15, 2026, as they defeated France 10-2. The victory secures a perfect 3-0-0-0 record in the preliminary round and positions them favorably for the top seed in the knockout stage. The game was highlighted by Connor McDavid setting a new Olympic record for points in a single tournament.

McDavid Reaches Historic Milestone

Canada’s captain, Connor McDavid, continued his exceptional form, collecting two assists early in the game to reach a tournament-leading eight points. This tied him with Jonathan Toews for the most points ever in a single Olympic hockey tournament. He didn’t stop there, adding a goal in the third period to surpass Toews and take sole possession of the record with nine points in just three games (two goals, seven assists and 13 shots on goal). ESPN noted McDavid’s relentless drive, treating each game like a Stanley Cup Final.

Binnington Faces Scrutiny After Allowing Goals

While Canada’s offense shone, goaltender Jordan Binnington’s performance drew some criticism. After a shutout against Czechia in the tournament opener, Binnington allowed two goals on eight shots against France. The first goal came shortly after Canada took the lead, a rebound allowed directly into the slot. The second goal fluttered under his arm in the final frame. ESPN reported this performance raised questions about who Canada will start in net during the knockout stage.

Canada’s All-Around Excellence

Canada’s victory wasn’t solely reliant on its star players. The team demonstrated a comprehensive skillset, with contributions from forwards and defensemen, on the power play, and even a penalty shot conversion by Macklin Celebrini. Tom Wilson completed an Olympic Gordie Howe hat trick, adding a fight to his goal and assist. Nine different Canadian players scored in the game: Tom Wilson, Devon Toews, Mark Stone, Kale Makar, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Bo Horvat, Brandon Hageland, and two goals from Macklin Celebrini.

Mark Stone Shines as Top Player

Mark Stone was recognized as the top player of the game for his consistent and impactful performance. ESPN highlighted Stone’s intelligence with the puck, his positioning, and his instincts, exemplified by his assist on Crosby’s goal. He scored a short-handed goal late in the first period, giving Canada a 3-1 lead.

Looking Ahead: Goaltending Decision Looms

With the preliminary round complete, Canada now faces the knockout stage. A key decision for coach Jon Cooper will be determining the starting goaltender. Logan Thompson also delivered a strong performance against Switzerland, adding to the debate between him and Binnington. Cooper has been a staunch advocate for Binnington, but the coach must prioritize the best chance for success as the stakes increase.

Overall Team Grade: A

Canada receives an overall team grade of A for its dominant performance through three games. The team has lived up to its pre-tournament billing as a gold medal favorite, showcasing speed, skill, and defensive prowess. They have secured a likely top seed in the knockout round with a +17 goal differential.