Team USA Takeaways: U.S. Men's Hockey Takes Down Germany 5–1, Advances to Quarterfinals

The U.S. is moving on to the playoffs at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Auston Matthews scored two goals for Team USA on Sunday. | Erick W. Rasco / Sports Illustrated

Team USA men’s hockey finished up preliminary round play at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday afternoon, taking down Germany 5–1 to advance to the playoff round of the games in Milan.

Officially the No. 2 seed in the men's hockey playoffs after going an undefeated 3–0 in Group C, the U.S. earned a first-round and will wait to take on the winner of Sweden vs. Latvia on Tuesday.

RELATED: How to Watch Team USA Hockey at the 2026 Olympics: Live TV and Streaming Guide

Here are some takeaways from Sunday’s win over Germany:

Putting Connor Hellebucyk back in net was the right answer

Connor Hellebuyck was phenomenal in net for Team USA on Sunday. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

With Jeremy Swayman in net on Saturday afternoon against Denmark, the U.S. the first period trailing 2–1—and while the Bruins' goalie ultimately kept his team in it on their way to a 6–3 victory, the slow start likely didn’t sit well for the Red, White, and Blue.

On Sunday, Team USA went back to starter Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes and it proved paramount, with the tender stopping 23 of Germany’s 24 shots on the way to a 5–1 win.

Team USA’s penalty kill will keep them in it

Quinn Hughes and Team USA were outstanding at killing penalties on Sunday. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Speaking of Hellebuyck, both he and Team USA’s penalty kill were phenomenal while short-handed on Sunday afternoon.

Despite taking on a bit of water in the second period with two penalties from Jack Eichel (tripping) and Zack Werenski (slashing), the U.S. was able to work through their mistakes and kill both. Additionally, after Matthew Tkachuk was put in the bin for unsportsmanlike conduct in the third-period, they answered the bell once again.

In total, Team USA was 3-for-3 killing penalties against Germany on Sunday.

Believe it or not, U.S. has a real chance at the gold medal

Team USA can win the whole thing. | Mike Segar/Reuters via Imagn Images

Understanding that Team Canada—an absolute wagon—stands in their way, the U.S is playing outstanding hockey right now, and they'd only have to play the Habs once on their way to winning the whole thing.

That’s ultimately my main takeaway from this one on Sunday vs. Germany: If Team USA plays with the type of firepower they did throughout the preliminary round, there’s no reason to think that they can’t leave Milan with the gold medal.

FINAL: Team USA 5 – Germany 1

Here’s our live blog from the game:

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