Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell open up about their Olympic ride with Team Sweden, from Karlsson's dazzling assists and heavy minutes to Rakell's first taste of the big stage. Both Penguins stars admit the quarterfinal heartbreak against the U.S. stings, but they cherish the moments with family amid Italy's tight schedule. As they shift focus back to Pittsburgh, where Crosby's injury status looms large, their reflections hint at the fire fueling the stretch run.

Erik Karlsson takes his usual off day to break down the week's chaos from the Sharks' locker room, where the vets know every whisper matters more than the scores. He dishes on the trade buzz circling the league and those quiet front-office moves that flip contenders overnight. With the deadline looming, Karlsson's take carries extra weight for a guy who's seen every kind of deal go down.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby returns from Italy with a silver medal and a nagging injury that sidelined him for Canada's gold-medal showdown against a golden Team USA. Arturs Silovs thrilled back home after stonewalling Leon Draisaitl's 10 shots in Latvia's upset over Germany, while the Penguins' Olympic contingent - including Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell - brings fresh legs and stories from the brightest stage.

NHL Network's crew dives deep into Day 9 of the Milano Cortina men's hockey tournament, where teams like Sweden steamroll Latvia 5-1 behind Erik Karlsson's insights and Czechia flexes its power play with David Pastrňák pulling strings. Hosts Gardner and Rupp break down the blistering speed and strength on display - faster than anything we see in the NHL - while spotlighting Connor McDavid chasing Olympic points legends like Teemu Selanne.

Team USA rolls into the quarterfinals unbeaten, but Sweden's NHL-heavy lineup just steamrolled Latvia 5-1 with Zibanejad, Nylander and Landeskog each notching a goal and assist to punch their ticket. Erik Karlsson's been preaching this showdown since puck drop in Milan, calling it the challenge they came for after Sweden dodged an early flight home.

Penguins fans have four guys lighting it up in Italy, with Sidney Crosby already dishing two helpers as Team Canada's captain in their opener against Czechia. Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell suited up for Sweden in a tough loss to Finland, while Arturs Silovs saw action backing up Latvia in a 5-1 defeat to the U.S., giving up one goal in limited time.