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Daniel Chavkin
Canada’s preliminary round games finished with a battle against France on Sunday, and the Canadians dominated the French by a score of 10-2.
While France was scrappy early, Canada took full control of the game as the contest went along. Canada had 10 goals from nine different scorers, while Jordan Binnington was barely tested in net on the other end.
During the game, Sidney Crosby collected a goal and two assists, which helped him break the record for most points by a Canadian in Olympic games that featured NHL players. Other players who scored for Canada included Macklin Celebrini twice, Connor McDavid, Tom Wilson, Cale Makar and Devon Toews, among others.
Canada’s blowout should clinch the top spot in the knockout stage, as the United States needs to beat Germany by 10 to surpass them. Now, Canada will get two days off and a bye before returning to action on Wednesday.
France, meanwhile, ends group play at 0-3 and tied for last with Italy in the standings. However, the French will win the tiebreak over Italy and be seeded 11th.
The Sporting News tracked live scores, updates and highlights from the Olympic men’s ice hockey matchup between Canada and France. Here are the full updates from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker | Viewer's guide | Day-by-day schedule
1:07 p.m.: Canada closes out a blowout win, which should give them the top seed in the knockout stage.
12:59 p.m.: Things have gotten chippy as Canada is not happy with France’s big hits. MacKinnon heads to the box next after retaliation.
12:54 p.m.: Wilson gets into a fight with Crinon, who hit MacKinnon high earlier. Both players get seven minutes of penalties, which will end their games.
12:51 p.m.: GOAL! Canada reaches double digits with a 10th goal, coming on a Celebrini shot that Horvat might’ve tipped.
12:47 p.m.: Nathan MacKinnon takes a big hit that leads to an interference call on France.
12:46 p.m.: GOAL! Brandon hagel becomes the ninth Canadian to score as he finished another odd-man rush chance.
12:36 p.m.: GOAL! A strong Canada shift ends with a Bo Horvat goal for the fourth line.
12:31 p.m.: GOAL! France answers right back for its second goal past Binnington, as Treille gets the score.
12:29 p.m.: GOAL! Connor McDavid scores immediately scores on the new goalie Keller for Canada’s 7th goal.
12:28 p.m.: We are back with the third period, as Canada is 20 minutes away from an undefeated preliminary round. France has made a goalie change in the break.
12:10 p.m.: The period ends with Canada’s continued pressure, taking a five-goal lead into the break.
12:07 p.m.: GOAL! Now Crosby scores as Canada is pouring it on.
12:06 p.m.: GOAL! Celebrini puts one past Junca on the penalty shot, his third goal of the Olympics.
12:05 p.m.: Celebrini is taken down on a breakaway, so he will be rewarded a penalty shot.
12:01 p.m.: Canada keeps getting chances, as this game could be an even bigger blowout.
11:54 a.m.: GOAL! Cale Makar scores 15 seconds into the power play, extending the lead to 4-1.
11:53 a.m.: Another France penalty leads to Canada’s third power play of the game.
11:48 a.m.: Junca saves a great chance from Harley, then Hagel hits the post. Canada’s pressure is strong here as the shot total increases to 23-6.
11:44 a.m.: France kills off the penalty despite pressure from Canada’s power play. The lead remains at two.
11:41 a.m.: Canada is headed to another power play after France takes a hooking call.
11:35 a.m.: France gets a few looks but can’t score on the advantage.
11:34 a.m.: The second period is underway, with France hoping to capitalize on a power play.
11:15 a.m.: GOAL! Mark Stone produces a shorthanded goal just three seconds before the period ends. France will start the second period with time left on the power play.
11:13 a.m.: With 1:11 left in the period, Canada is called for a penalty. France will get its first man advantage.
11:10 a.m.: Canada gets another chance on a breakaway, but Junca stops Mark Stone to keep the deficit at one.
11:05 a.m.: Shots are 13-4 in favor of Canada so far, as France hasn’t been able to have any sustained possessions.
10:57 a.m.: GOAL! The scoring barrage continues, with Devon Toews scoring on a two-on-one pass from Sidney Crosby.
10:55 a.m.: GOAL! France answers right back, as Douay scores on a rebound of his own.
10:54 a.m.: GOAL! Wilson buries the rebounder to open the scoring.
10:53 a.m.: Canada has a couple of really good looks on the power play, but is unable to cash in as Junca stands strong.
10:49 a.m.: Canada gets the first power play of the game as France is called for holding.
10:47 a.m.: The play is a little tentative early, with both sides felling each other out a bit.
10:43 a.m.: A strong start for Canada, who controls play early and gets the first four shots on goal of the game.
10:40 a.m.: We are underway in Milan-Cortina! Canada looks to clinch the best record in the preliminary rounds.
10:33 a.m.: Canada has the goal differential lead over the U.S., which is notable in case those teams both finish undefeated after today.
Next 2 games today in Milan are fascinating. First place overall (and likely avoiding Sweden in QF) up for grabs.
Assuming Canada and the U.S beat their opponents (France and Germany), goal differential will settle #1 seed.
Canada is +9
USA is +7
AKA incentive to run up score pic.twitter.com/xxdEPY2SzL
10:07 a.m.: France’s lineup will feature 12 forwards and eight defenseman as they look to pull off the major upset.
France 🇫🇷 lineup vs. Canada 🇨🇦
IN ▲ Jordann Perret
IN ▲ Thomas Thiry
OUT ▽ Aurelien Dair
OUT ▽ Enzo Cantagallo
🥅: Julian Junca ✅ starts in net. pic.twitter.com/vQORNDb1mL
9:44 a.m.: Here is how Canada will line up vs. France. Binnington gets the start in net while Marchand and Morrissey sit for a second-straight game.
Our Sunday best. 🇨🇦
Nos habits du dimanche. 🇨🇦#MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/Fu1fWA3qu5
9:10 a.m.: The Group A standings are set regardless of this game’s result, as Canada will finish first and France will finish last. Canada is still playing to clinch the No. 1 overall seed, though.
Dean Kukan with his first Olympic goal to win it in overtime for Switzerland.
Final Group A standings, regardless of what happens in CAN/FRA:
1-Canada
2-Switzerland
3-Czechia
4-France
Canada’s final preliminary round matchup against France will begin at 10:40 a.m. ET from Milan-Cortina.
CBC will have coverage of the Canada vs. France game in Canada, while CNBC will have the game in the United States. Additionally, the game can be live streamed on CBC Gem or Peacock.
Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.