Love it or hate it, it’s time for Olympic Hockey

Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Sweden defenseman Victor Hedman (77) plays the puck near goalie Filip Gustavsson (32) against Team Canada in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn ImagesFor some members of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a much-needed break in the regular season gets underway today. The NHL is officially shut down for the next few weeks as the attention of the hockey world shifts to Italy and the 2026 Winter Olympics. After 12 years, NHL players are back for a best-on-best tournament (minus, of course, the Russians) and the players are excited to be heading overseas for a chance to earn a gold medal, as well as locker room bragging rights.

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