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Auston Matthews was the best player in the United States during the preliminary round
Ice Hockey

Auston Matthews was the best player in the United States during the preliminary round

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The Olympic men’s hockey tournament was presented as both an opportunity and a referendum for Auston Matthews. Matthews was named captain of the United States shortly before the tournament began, tasked with leading his country to its first men’s gold medal since 1980. After battling through a persistent upper body injury for almost two years, the Olympics were seen as an opportunity for Matthews to reclaim his status as one of the world’s best players, and a greater opportunity to appear on the biggest stages.

With the preliminary round completed, Matthews has quickly established himself as the best player in the United States. Matthews was tied for fifth place at the end of the preliminary round, recording three goals and five points in three games. The 28-year-old dominates in all facets of the game, and he also appears off the scoresheet.

Mike Kelly of the NHL Network tracked Matthews’ stats, with the Maple Leafs captain ranking seventh in puck battle wins, third in closing shots, eighth in closing passes and first in expected goals. Matthews uses the entirety of his frame, speed, size and defensive instincts to take over games for the United States, while creating at an elite level for wingers Jake Guentzel and Matt Boldy.

Auston Matthews leads all players in goal chances and ‘Grade A’ chances through 3 matches. Ranks third in closing shots and goals…

“He’s been great all tournament. You guys put a lot of pressure on him for no reason,” Guentzel said of Matthews after Sunday’s 5-1 win over Germany. “He’s just an incredible player and plays in all situations.”
Matthews has skated with greater lateral speed and explosion after Christmas, trends his Maple Leafs teammates took note of through January. Over the opening month and turn of the 2026 calendar year, Matthews has once again emerged as one of the NHL’s leading goal scorers at 5-on-5, and those qualities have certainly translated to the international stage through three games.

It will be exciting to see if Matthews can continue this form throughout the elimination round and take on William Nylander and Sweden on Wednesday. Canada has emerged as the favorite by more than 17 goals in the preliminary round, but the United States is the most likely team to beat the defending 4 Nations Face-Off champions. Connor McDavid was the tournament’s best player, but Matthews wasn’t far off, and his excellent tournament so far resumes on Wednesday, another step towards an elusive gold medal.

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