Germany Olympic teammates Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stutzle go back to NHL foes
leon draisaitl and Tim Stutzle were household teammates one month ago at the Olympics; now they face each other again on NHL ice. Draisaitl scored a power-play goal in a 5-4 loss to the Sharks on Saturday (ET) and remains hot since the Olympic break. The rematch frames a short turnaround from international duty to club rivalry as both men return to heavy roles.
Leon Draisaitl: Olympic leader and recent power-play producer
Leon Draisaitl served as a central figure for Team Germany at the Olympics and was voted to be flag bearer in the opening ceremonies. Back in club play, he scored a power-play goal on five shots in the 5-4 defeat at SAP Center on Saturday (ET). Over three games since the Olympic break he has five points, including three on the power play, and the 30-year-old now stands at 31 goals and 85 points with 37 power-play points, 170 shots on net and a plus-12 rating across 58 appearances.
From Olympic foxhole to opposing lines
One month ago they were side by side guiding Team Germany to the quarter-final round; that Olympic run ended with a 6-2 loss to Team Slovakia. Drafted third overall in 2020, Tim Stutzle has returned to a first-line centre role with his NHL club while Draisaitl filled that position for Team Germany during the Games. The quick pivot from shared uniforms to opposing jerseys underlines how international tournaments can realign NHL matchups almost immediately.
Immediate reactions and what it means next
“He was awesome, he was a great leader. I knew him from before, but obviously not as well as now, spending every day with him, ” said Tim Stutzle, 24, forward, Team Germany, reflecting on his time with Draisaitl at the Olympics. The observation highlights what teammates took from the short but intense tournament and how that experience translates into respect — even when the scoreboard separates them again.
Looking ahead, both players face a slate of challenging opponents. Draisaitl will need to sustain the post-Olympic scoring surge as his club heads into a run of high-calibre matchups. Stutzle, re-established in a top-line centre role, will return to his NHL team duties immediately following the break. Expect coaches to lean on both veterans for heavy minutes and special-teams work as the schedule tightens.
Saturday’s split between Olympic partnership and NHL rivalry captures a rapid cycle in modern hockey: one month on the same line, the next month on opposite sides. The immediate storyline remains centered on production and adjustment — and the next chapter will test whether the momentum leon draisaitl carried out of the Olympics can keep driving results when league competition resumes.
