Canada's NHL Stars Streak to 12th Consecutive Victory
by Andrew Podnieks, February 13, 2026
Photo: Andre Ringuette/IIHF
In a thrilling display of offensive prowess, Canada's NHL stars secured a commanding 5-1 victory over Switzerland, extending their remarkable winning streak to 12 games. This impressive run dates back to their undefeated 2014 campaign and the final four matches of the Vancouver Olympics.
The victory further enhanced Sidney Crosby's impressive record in international competitions, improving his best-on-best record to an astonishing 23-2, including triumphs in the 2016 World Cup and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Canada now leads Group A with a perfect 2-0 record and six points. They can secure the top spot on Sunday with a win over France. Meanwhile, Switzerland will face Czechia earlier that day in a crucial battle for second place and a superior position in the re-seeding before the Qualification Round.
The dynamic duo of linemates Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon showcased their chemistry, each contributing a goal and two assists. McDavid praised MacKinnon's skills, revealing his admiration for his teammate's playing style and their shared understanding of each other's movements on the ice.
But the game ended on a somber note. A collision between Tom Wilson and Kevin Fiala along the boards resulted in Fiala suffering a significant injury, as he had to be carried off on a stretcher. This unfortunate incident cast a shadow over the victory.
Canada's defender Drew Doughty expressed satisfaction with the team's performance but acknowledged the Swiss team's strength. He emphasized the need to continue building on their success and believed there was even more potential to unlock.
Concern for Fiala's well-being was evident as Doughty expressed his desire to check on the injured player. Philipp Kurashev, despite the loss, recognized Canada's quality and the need to minimize mistakes against such a formidable opponent.
The arena in Santagiulia was a sea of red and white, with passionate fans from both nations. On the ice, the players delivered an extraordinary display of hockey, with Canada, the favorites, creating numerous high-quality scoring opportunities.
The game's intensity was evident from the opening minute when Shea Theodore's quick shot hit the crossbar behind Akira Schmid's shoulder. Nino Niederreiter responded with a great chance of his own, only to be denied by Logan Thompson's last-second save.
Canada's power play proved to be a force, as MacKinnon set up McDavid for the opening goal with a precise cross-ice pass. McDavid's patience paid off as he waited for Schmid to commit before scoring.
Mitch Marner's creativity nearly led to another goal, but his pass to Sidney Crosby resulted in a backhand shot that hit the goalie's skate and stayed out.
McDavid's vision was on full display as he set up Thomas Harley for Canada's second goal. However, Switzerland responded with a power play goal of their own, as Pius Suter capitalized on a rebound off the crossbar.
Canada's defensive prowess was notable, as they hadn't conceded a goal since the 2014 Olympic quarter-finals against Latvia, shutting out the USA and Sweden en route to gold, and Czechia just a day prior.
Early in the second period, MacKinnon's speed and precision set up Macklin Celebrini for a quick goal, showcasing the team's depth.
Crosby provided a crucial insurance goal in the third period, redirecting Marner's pass to extend the lead. MacKinnon sealed the deal with the final goal, but it was McDavid's dazzling moves that set up the highlight-reel play.
McDavid attributed the team's success to their understanding of the systems and the coaching staff's guidance, as well as the solid goaltending they've received.
