The Athletic Hockey Show

Episode: Men’s Olympic qualifiers recap | Instant Reaction
Date: February 18, 2026
Hosts: Max Bultman, Jesse Granger
Guest: Arpin Basu (live from Milan)

Overview

This episode of The Athletic Hockey Show provides an immediate reaction after the Men’s Olympic hockey quarterfinal qualifiers. The hosts break down the day’s games, discuss key storylines and upcoming matchups, and analyze goalie decisions, standout players, and tactical nuances. With Arpin Basu joining live from Milan, the show offers expert insight and banter, setting the stage for a tantalizing quarterfinal slate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. “It Was Chalk”—Favorites Advance (02:41–04:05)

• Summary: All top teams advanced with no major upsets, setting up “prime time matchups” for the quarterfinals:

  • Canada vs. Czechia
  • Slovakia vs. Germany
  • Finland vs. Switzerland
  • USA vs. Sweden

• Quote:

  “It was chalk. We're getting the matchups that we expected and frankly the matchups that we wanted…basically the best eight countries in the world playing.”
  — Max Bultman (02:50)

2. Goaltending Decisions Are Crucial (04:05–06:14, 16:42–17:58, 22:25–25:37)

• Czechia:

  • Started Lukas Dostal, seen as their best option, but with strong backups (Vejmelka and Vladar).
  • Debate on whether Dostal plays again back-to-back given the depth and goaltending fatigue.

• Sweden:

  • Played Jacob Markstrom; the hosts debate whether Philip Gustafsson, perceived as the superior goalie, will start the next game.

• General Analysis:

  • Importance of both talent and rest (“back to back” games for goalies complicates optimal choices).
  • For Czechia, Dostal’s unpredictable, explosive style is seen as the one “Trump card” for upsetting powerhouse Canada.

• Quotes:

  "Personally, I would go Gustafsson if it was up to me. Not because the back-to-back. I just like Philip Gustafsson more. But Markstrom has made a case to be the guy in this tournament."
  — Jesse Granger (05:42)

  "If I was Czechia...I'd be surprised if they put Vejmelka in for his first action in the Olympics after sitting on the bench for this whole time..."
  — Jesse Granger (23:17)

  “You have to play [Dostal] even if he's a little bit tired…he's the best card you have to play, better than anyone on Canada's roster.”
  — Max Bultman (24:45)

3. Czechia’s Complicated Upset Bid vs. Canada (06:14–12:34)

• Analysis:

  • Czechia hasn’t hit full stride; key stars David Pastrnak and Tomas Hertl have lacked impact.
  • Losing Radek Faksa (injury) is a major blow for their two-way centerman depth.
  • Success for underdog teams needs goaltending excellence, special teams opportunities, and stars stepping up.

• Canada’s Depth:

  • The “other” shutdown line of Sidney Crosby, Mark Stone, and Mitch Marner is highlighted as more effective defensively than the marquee McDavid-MacKinnon line.
  • Any Canada line is a mismatch for Czechia’s depth, especially without full NHL-level depth.

• Quotes:

  “We have not seen the best version of David Pastrnak yet. And if you can bring that tomorrow, that would obviously help their chances a great deal.”
  — Arpin Basu (07:27)

  “Any line on Canada is gonna have no problem against any line on Czechia…down the lineup is where they're going to have the most trouble.”
  — Arpin Basu (11:49)

4. Recipe for an Olympic Upset (10:27–11:18; 12:34–13:20)

• Key ingredients:

  • Elite goaltending
  • Drawing major penalties
  • Stars capitalizing on limited chances
  • Unexpected performances from non-NHL/depth players

• Canada’s “embarrassment of riches”:

  • Emphasis on how the depth makes upsets difficult.

5. Finland vs. Switzerland – Chemistry Over Star Power (12:34–15:57)

• Both Teams:

  • Characterized by strong internal chemistry and defined identities from years of playing together.
  • Finnish League and Swiss League produce strong, well-drilled squads even when lacking overwhelming star power.

• Swiss Secret Sauce:

  • Domestic league players raise their game; Swiss League seen as the most competitive league in Europe.
  • Swiss confidence driven by two consecutive World Championship final appearances.

• Quotes:

  “That's our secret sauce, that we have…baked in chemistry already with a lot of these guys, even if they play in the NHL.”
  — Arpin Basu (14:36)

  “Switzerland was my pick to win bronze in this tournament, so I'll look pretty smart if they win the game tomorrow. But they're in pretty tough.”
  — Arpin Basu (15:48)

6. Rest vs. Rhythm: Does It Really Matter? (16:42–19:01)

• Debate:

  • Whether teams who played today are sharper (“in rhythm”) or more fatigued, versus those coming off a bye (“rested”).
  • Arpin Basu dismisses the impact, citing adrenaline and the unique energy of the Olympics.

• Quote:

  “I don't think the team that was off today is going to lack adrenaline tomorrow. It's an elimination game at the Olympics. They haven't been at the Olympics in 12 years… I don't see why, one way or the other, it's going to be a factor in any of the results tomorrow.”
  — Arpin Basu (18:35)

7. Slovakia vs. Germany – The Tournament’s Toss-Up (25:37–28:07)

• Preview:

  • Possible most evenly matched quarterfinal.
  • Slovakia’s run led by Juraj Slafkovský; Germany boasts more star power (Draisaitl, Stützle, Seider).
  • Goalie battle: Grubauer (Germany) “having a career year.”
  • Odds are very close; Slovakia slight favorite at -115 vs Germany -105.

• Quotes:

  “To me that's the one I'm almost the most excited for because I have no idea who's going to win that game.”
  — Jesse Granger (26:21)

  “If I'm Germany, I'm matching Draisaitl up with all four of their lines. Sorry, Leon. You're playing 30-something minutes tonight… If you don't, you're playing all the minutes.”
  — Jesse Granger (27:57)

8. USA vs. Sweden – Gold Medal-Type Clash (30:09–34:21)

• Analysis:

  • Both teams built similarly; USA has slight edge in each department.
  • Sweden’s new line of Lucas Raymond, Mika Zibanejad, and Gabriel Landeskog “looked the best they have all tournament.”
  • US has yet to face elite defensemen; Sweden counters with a blue line of Karlsson, Hedman, Dahlin, OEL.
  • US has started games slowly; risk of Sweden capitalizing if that continues.
  • Importance of goalie Connor Hellebuyck for US in weathering early pressure.
  • “First five minutes” seen as critical.

• Quotes:

  “The US obviously hasn't been tested yet, really…now you go from that to a blue line with Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman…they are stacked on the blue line. Sweden is. And they're defensemen that will make you pay if you're not paying attention to them.”
  — Jesse Granger (31:11)

  “What I keep coming back to though is that I think these two rosters were built in a very similar mold…USA is just a little bit of an upscaled version of what Sweden has.”
  — Max Bultman (32:29)

  “You fall behind one nothing in the first couple minutes…this is a mountain you've got to climb, and Sweden can sit back…”
  — Jesse Granger (33:13)

  “Hellebuyck's been outstanding…he finally looked like the Connor Hellebuyck I've been wanting to see.”
  — Jesse Granger (34:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Arpin on Canada’s depth:

  “What are we even talking about here? Any line on Canada is gonna have no problem against any line on Czechia.” (11:49)

• Max on upsets:

  “One of the axioms from March Madness…when you get a chalk day, the next day tends to bring some chaos. So that will be interesting.” (04:05)

• Jesse on goaltending pressure:

  “He's your best card…even if he's a little bit tired.” (24:45)

• Arpin on Olympic adrenaline:

  “I don't see why…the team that was off today is going to lack adrenaline tomorrow.” (18:35)

• Jesse summing up Germany’s strategy:

  “Sorry, Leon. You're playing 30-something minutes tonight.” (27:57)

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Episode Start & Qualifiers Recap: 02:41–04:05
• Goaltending Decisions (Czechia/Sweden): 04:05–06:14, 22:25–25:37
• Czechia’s Prospects vs. Canada: 06:14–12:34
• Finland vs. Switzerland Analysis: 13:20–15:57
• Rest vs. Rhythm Debate: 16:42–19:01
• Slovakia vs. Germany Preview: 25:37–28:07
• USA vs. Sweden Preview: 30:09–34:21

Final Thoughts

The episode gives a comprehensive snapshot of the Olympic men’s hockey quarterfinals landscape—star players under scrutiny, tactical goaltending choices, dark horse narratives (Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany), and the irresistible heavyweights (Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland). The hosts mix sharp analysis with their trademark dry wit, helping listeners get primed for what promises to be a phenomenal slate of knockout games.

Next Up:
Stay tuned for The Athletic’s nightly live podcasts through the men’s and women’s gold medal games.

Summary by The Athletic Podcast Summarizer