Matthew Tkachuk labels Connor McDavid breakaway as 'changing of the guard' moment

Connor McDavid came within inches of shifting the momentum in the Olympic gold medal game but a critical save by US goaltender Connor Hellebuyck proved to be the difference in Team USA's 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.

Speaking on the Wingmen podcast, American forward Matthew Tkachuk identified McDavid's second-period breakaway as a pivotal moment that could have altered the trajectory of the final.

"The best player in the world is Connor McDavid. Top to bottom, there's nobody like him. There's probably never been anybody like him in history," Tkachuk said.

"It was kind of like it could've been a changing of the guard in Canada, with Crosby being out and him coming down on the breakaway. If he scores that goal, he's the Canadian hero who gets them back in it, and they ultimately have a good chance at that point."

The sequence that could have changed everything

The sequence came early in the second period with the game tied 1-1. McDavid, who had taken over as Canada's captain after Sidney Crosby's injury earlier in the tournament, found himself alone on a breakaway, the exact scenario that has resulted in countless goals throughout his career.

"He comes down, and Helly just outwaits him, confident, calm, just chill in the crease, and makes an incredible breakaway save that gave us so much mental momentum," Tkachuk continued.

"The best player in the world is coming down on a breakaway, and he just shuts the door on him."

Record-breaking tournament performance

McDavid finished the tournament with a record-breaking 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) in six games surpassing the previous Olympic mark of 11 points held by Finland's Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu from 2006. He was named tournament MVP and Best Forward despite Canada's loss.

However, the Oilers captain was held off the scoresheet in the final unable to solve Hellebuyck, who made 41 saves and was later named goalkeeper of the tournament.

"I thought we played well, I thought we did enough to win," McDavid said later. "Their goalie made some big saves, I thought we also missed some chances. Obviously disappointing, there's no way around it, there's way to sugar coat it. It sucks."

Canada outshot the United States 42-28 in the final and created multiple quality chances but Hellebuyck stood firm. The Jets netminder denied not only McDavid's breakaway but also made a spectacular paddle save on Devon Toews and robbed Macklin Celebrini on another clear opportunity.

Tkachuk's assessment of the McDavid save underscores just how close Canada came to reclaiming momentum in a tightly contested final.

"Oh my gosh, they will be talking about this performance for generations," Tkachuk said of Hellebuyck.

Another final heartbreak for Connor McDavid

For McDavid, the loss was another championship heartbreak after consecutive Stanley Cup Final defeats with Edmonton in 2024 and 2025. Despite the silver medal and individual accolades, the 29-year-old remains without an Olympic gold or Stanley Cup to his name.

"Overall the experience was good," McDavid said. "It was a special group to be a part of, we'll have those memories for a lifetime."

The overtime winner in the gold medal game came off the stick of Jack Hughes at the extra frame, capping a dramatic tournament that saw McDavid's record-breaking performance fall just short of the ultimate prize.