NHL Enters Olympic Break as Lightning Edge Panthers 6-1 in Final Game Before Milano Cortina 2026

The National Hockey League officially entered its Olympic break on February 6, 2026, following a dramatic seven-game slate on Thursday, February 5, that saw the Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the Florida Panthers 6-1 in the marquee matchup at Benchmark International Arena. The NHL will suspend regular-season play from February 6-24 as over 100 players represent their nations at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, marking the first time NHL players have competed in the Olympics since 2014. Thursday's schedule featured several compelling matchups as teams looked to build momentum before the extended layoff. The Tampa Bay Lightning's dominant performance against their in-state rivals showcased the offensive firepower they hope to unleash when the season resumes on February 25. Other notable results from the final pre-Olympic slate included the Carolina Hurricanes shutting out the New York Rangers 2-0 at Madison Square Garden, demonstrating the defensive structure that has made them Metropolitan Division contenders throughout the season. The Olympic break represents a significant pause in the NHL's regular-season calendar, with teams not returning to action until Wednesday, February 25, when eight games are scheduled. The break allows star players like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon to represent their countries on hockey's biggest international stage, while also providing other NHL players with crucial rest and recovery time during the grueling 82-game schedule. The league instituted a trade freeze ahead of the break to prevent roster manipulation during the Olympic period. Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-2, while the New York Islanders earned a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in other Thursday action. The Ottawa Senators edged the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime, and the Washington Capitals fell to the Nashville Predators in additional games across the league. The final matchup saw the Los Angeles Kings face the Vegas Golden Knights in what many considered the symbolic end of the pre-Olympic schedule, with both teams sending multiple players to represent various nations in Italy. The resumption of NHL play on February 25 will be closely watched as teams assess how their Olympic participants performed and whether any players return with injuries that could impact playoff races. The break comes at a crucial juncture of the season, with playoff positioning tightening across both conferences. Teams that benefited from strong pre-Olympic performances will look to maintain momentum, while struggling franchises hope the reset provides an opportunity to turn their seasons around during the final stretch. For hockey fans, the Olympic break offers a unique opportunity to watch the world's best players compete for national glory before returning to their NHL clubs for the final push toward the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Milano Cortina 2026 men's ice hockey tournament runs from February 8-23, with the NHL's regular season resuming just two days after the gold medal game, creating a compressed schedule that will test player endurance and team depth as the race to the playoffs intensifies.