NHL Stars Head to Olympics; Owen Tippett Hat Trick as Flyers Beat Avs 7-3

Two big stories in hockey this week: NHL players are finally going back to the Winter Olympics for Milan-Cortina 2026, and Owen Tippett recorded his second career hat trick as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche 7-3 in Denver.

NHL Stars Finally Going to the Olympics

A star-studded generation of the world's best hockey players has never had the chance to play in the Olympics—the league skipped 2018 and 2022. That changes in February 2026. The NHL reached a deal to send players to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and names like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Eichel, and many others are set to represent their countries. Men's hockey in Milan begins February 11; the women's tournament starts February 5. Construction and ice conditions at the main arena have been a concern, but test games in January left league and union officials satisfied. For players who grew up expecting to go to the Games, this is the moment they've been waiting for.

Flyers 7, Avalanche 3: Tippett Hat Trick

On Friday, January 23, 2026, the Flyers spoiled Colorado's 25th anniversary celebration of its 2001 Stanley Cup team. Owen Tippett had his second career hat trick plus an assist, and Philadelphia won 7-3 at Ball Arena.

The loss was Colorado's fourth in five games and only its second home regulation loss of the season. Philadelphia went 2-0-1 on a three-game road trip. *Sources: Associated Press (NHL Olympics, Flyers-Avalanche). Fact-checked January 24, 2026.*