The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina delivered a historic conclusion to the men’s ice hockey tournament. With NHL players returning to the Olympic stage, the games featured elite talent and high-stakes drama.
Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Canada
Result: USA 2, Canada 1 (OT)
In a storybook finish, the United States captured the gold medal exactly 46 years to the day after the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” This was the Americans’ first men’s hockey gold since that legendary victory.
The Hero:Jack Hughes scored the “Golden Goal” 1:41 into the 3-on-3 overtime period, sliding the puck through the legs of Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington.
The Wall: U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was the game’s standout performer, making 41 saves on 42 shots. His performance was highlighted by a desperate “stick save” in the third period that kept the game tied.
Key Moments: * Matt Boldy opened the scoring for the U.S. early in the first period.
Canada’s Cale Makar equalized late in the second period on a feed from Devon Toews.
Canada played without captain Sidney Crosby, who was sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Tournament MVP: Despite the loss, Connor McDavid was named Tournament MVP, leading all scorers with 13 points.
46-Year Drought Ends in Milan, Italy.
Bronze Medal Game: Finland vs. Slovakia
Result: Finland 6, Slovakia 1
One day prior, Finland secured their place on the podium with a dominant performance over Slovakia, marking their fourth straight Olympic medal in tournaments featuring NHL players.
The Surge: The game was tightly contested until the third period, when Finland exploded for four goals to break it open.
Top Performers: * Sebastian Aho opened the scoring and finished the tournament as Finland’s leading goal scorer.
Erik Haula scored the eventual game-winner in the second period.
Goaltender Juuse Saros was stellar, stopping 30 of 31 shots to stifle the Slovakian offense.
The Consolation:Tomáš Tatar scored the lone goal for Slovakia, who finished fourth for the second consecutive Olympics.
It is finally happening. For the first time in 12 years, NHL players are back on the Olympic stage, and the script couldn’t be more perfect. On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the hockey world will stop as Canada and the United States face off for the Men’s Ice Hockey Gold Medal.
Here is everything you need to know heading into this “Battle of the Ages.”
Game Info & How to Watch
Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
Time: 8:10 AM ET / 2:10 PM Local (Milan)
Venue: Santagiulia Arena, Milan, Italy
How to Watch: NBC/Peacock (USA), CBC/Sportsnet/TSN (Canada)
How They Got Here
Both teams come into the final undefeated, but their paths through the semifinals looked very different.
Canada (3-2 win vs. Finland): It was a nail-biter. Down 2-0 in the second period and playing without captain Sidney Crosby (lower-back injury), Canada looked in trouble. However, Shea Theodore tied it in the third, and Nathan MacKinnon buried the game-winner with just 35.2 seconds left to avoid overtime.
USA (6-2 win vs. Slovakia): The Americans took the “scenic route” through a stressful OT win against Sweden in the quarters, but they dismantled Slovakia in the semis. Jack Hughes scored twice, while Dylan Larkin, Jack Eichel, and Brady Tkachuk also found the net in a dominant performance.
Canada and the United States epic Gold Medal clash.
Key Matchups & Storylines
1. The Crosby Question
Sidney Crosby’s status is the biggest story in Milan. He missed the semifinal after an injury in the quarterfinal against Czechia. Coach Jon Cooper has hinted he is a “game-time decision,” but if the “Golden Goal” hero of 2010 can skate, expect him to be out there for what could be his final Olympic game.
2. The Next Generation: McDavid vs. Matthews
While the 2010 final was about Crosby and Miller, 2026 is about Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. Both captains are in their prime, representing the absolute pinnacle of the sport. McDavid has been the engine for Canada, while Matthews has been a physical and tactical force for the U.S.
3. Ending the Drought
The U.S. is chasing history. They haven’t won Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” For this generation of Americans, this is also a chance for revenge after losing to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final exactly one year ago today.
Comparison at a Glance
Feature
Team Canada 🇨🇦
Team USA 🇺🇸
Top Scorer
Nathan MacKinnon
Jack Hughes
Goaltender
Jordan Binnington
Connor Hellebuyck
Power Play
Clinical (led by Makar/McDavid)
Explosive (led by Fox/Hughes)
Last Gold
2014 (Sochi)
1980 (Lake Placid)
Recent Result
Won 4 Nations Final (2025)
Won 4 Nations Round Robin (2025)
Based on the semifinal rotations and the latest injury reports from Milan, here is how the lines are expected to look for the Gold Medal Game.
Team Canada: The “Crosby” Pivot
The big story remains Sidney Crosby. While he missed the semifinal against Finland, he skated in a private session Friday and is considered a “game-time decision.” If he plays, he likely slides back into the middle, shifting Nick Suzuki back to a depth/scratch role.
Line
Left Wing
Center
Right Wing
Line 1
Macklin Celebrini
Connor McDavid (C)
Tom Wilson
Line 2
Brandon Hagel
Nathan MacKinnon
Sam Reinhart
Line 3
Mitch Marner
Sidney Crosby (GTD)
Mark Stone
Line 4
Brad Marchand
Nick Suzuki
Sam Bennett
D-Pair 1
Devon Toews
Cale Makar
D-Pair 2
Josh Morrissey
Drew Doughty
D-Pair 3
Shea Theodore
Travis Sanheim
Starting G
Jordan Binnington
Note: If Crosby cannot go, Nick Suzuki will likely center the third line between Marner and Stone, as he did in the 3-2 win over Finland.
Team USA: Rolling Four Lines
Coach John Hynes has found lightning in a bottle with the Hughes-Larkin connection. One minor concern is Tage Thompson, who left the semifinal early for “precautionary reasons,” but early reports from the U.S. camp suggest he’ll be ready for the final.
Line
Left Wing
Center
Right Wing
Line 1
Matthew Tkachuk
Auston Matthews (C)
Jack Eichel
Line 2
Jack Hughes
Dylan Larkin
Kyle Connor
Line 3
Brady Tkachuk
J.T. Miller
Matt Boldy
Line 4
Jake Guentzel
Vinny Trocheck
Tage Thompson
D-Pair 1
Quinn Hughes
Brock Faber
D-Pair 2
Zach Werenski
Charlie McAvoy
D-Pair 3
Jaccob Slavin
Adam Fox
Starting G
Connor Hellebuyck
🔑 Strategic Keys
The Power Play: Canada’s top unit (McDavid, MacKinnon, Celebrini, Reinhart, Makar) has been lethal, but the U.S. penalty kill has not allowed a single goal all tournament (15-for-15). Something has to give.
Defense Scoring:Zach Werenski and Quinn Hughes are both on pace to set Olympic records for points by a defenseman. Canada’s forwards will need to be diligent in their back-checking to neutralize the American “active D” style.
The Netminders: This is the most anticipated goalie duel in years. Binnington is a “big game” hunter, but Hellebuyck is the reigning Vezina (and potentially Hart) winner playing at the peak of his powers.
Prediction
Canada has the edge in experience and “clutch” history, but the U.S. currently looks like the faster, more cohesive unit through the knockout rounds. If Hellebuyck stands tall and Canada is without a 100% healthy Crosby, the Americans might finally break the 46-year gold medal drought.
In the eighth Olympic final meeting between these two titans, the United States reclaimed gold in a thrilling come-from-behind victory.For much of the game, it looked as though Canada’s defensive grit would carry them to another title.
The Breakthrough: After a scoreless first period, Canada’s Kristin O’Neill broke the deadlock just 54 seconds into the second frame with a clinical short-handed goal.
The Equalizer: With the clock winding down and the U.S. goalie pulled, captain Hilary Knight—playing in her final Olympic Games—tipped in a shot from Laila Edwards with just over two minutes remaining in regulation.
The Golden Goal: At 4:07 into the 3-on-3 overtime period, Megan Keller maneuvered past the Canadian defense and tucked the puck home, securing the third gold medal in U.S. women’s hockey history and ending Canada’s reign.
United States reclaimed gold in Milano Cortina
Women’s Bronze Medal Game: Switzerland vs. Sweden
Final Score: Switzerland 2, Sweden 1 (OT)
History repeated itself in the bronze medal match as Switzerland defeated Sweden to claim their first Olympic medal since 2014. In a poetic twist, the hero of the Sochi Games returned to the spotlight.
Regulation Battle: Sweden took the lead in the second period via a “missile” from Mira Jungaker, but the Swiss responded quickly with an equalizer from Sinja Leemann.
The Hero:Alina Müller, who scored the bronze-clinching goal as a 15-year-old in 2014, did it again.With just 50 seconds left in overtime, Müller fired a laser into the net to ignite a massive Swiss celebration.
The greatest rivalry in women’s sports returns to the ultimate stage. On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Canada and the United States will meet in the gold medal game of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
This matchup marks the 7th time in 8 Olympic tournaments that these two nations have battled for gold. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the puck drop.
Game Info & How to Watch
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 19:10 CET (Local) / 1:10 PM ET / 10:10 AM PT
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Broadcast: USA Network/Peacock (USA), CBC/TSN (Canada)
The State of the Rivalry
While Canada enters as the defending Olympic champion (Beijing 2022), the United States arrives as the heavy favorite based on recent form.
Preliminary Statement: In their group-stage meeting on February 10, the U.S. delivered a historic 5-0 shutout against Canada. It was the largest margin of victory in their Olympic history and the first time Canada has ever been shut out in an Olympic game.
The “Poulin Factor”: Canada played that preliminary loss without captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who was sidelined with an injury. She returned for the playoffs and recently became the all-time leading Olympic goal scorer (20 goals) during Canada’s 2-1 semifinal win over Switzerland.
U.S. Dominance: The Americans have been flawless, outscoring opponents 31-1 through six games. They are currently on a record-breaking shutout streak of over 331 minutes, led by goaltender Aerin Frankel, who has three shutouts in this tournament alone.
Clash of the titans
Players to Watch
Team
Player
Why They Matter
USA
Aerin Frankel
Has allowed only one goal all tournament; the backbone of the U.S. defense.
USA
Caroline Harvey
The tournament’s top-scoring defenseman; elite at transition and power-play puck movement.
CAN
Marie-Philip Poulin
Known as “Captain Clutch” for scoring in four different Olympic gold medal games.
CAN
Anne-Renée Desbiens
Will need a legendary performance to match the U.S. fire-power and keep Canada in the game.
Historical Context
Olympic Gold Medals: Canada (5), USA (2).
Recent History: The U.S. has won seven straight games against Canada dating back to the 2025 World Championships.
The Streak: The only time these two did not meet in the final was 2006—also held in Italy—when Sweden upset the U.S. in the semifinals.
The Bottom Line: The U.S. looks invincible, but Canada specializes in winning the one game that matters most. With Poulin back in the lineup and the “underdog” tag firmly on their backs, the Canadians will be looking to spoil the American’s perfect run.
Based on recent performances in the preliminary rounds and the semifinals in Milan, here are the projected starting lineups and line combinations for the gold medal game.
The big news for Canada is the return of Marie-Philip Poulin to the top unit after she missed time earlier in the tournament. For the U.S., they are expected to stick with the “Minnesota Line” and the dominant goaltending of Aerin Frankel.
Team Canada Projected Lineup
Head Coach Troy Ryan has leaned into veteran experience while rewarding the scoring touch of newcomer Daryl Watts.
Unit
Left Wing
Center
Right Wing
Line 1
Emma Maltais
Marie-Philip Poulin
Natalie Spooner
Line 2
Daryl Watts
Sarah Nurse
Sarah Fillier
Line 3
Emily Clark
Blayre Turnbull
Laura Stacey
Line 4
Julia Gosling
Kristin O’Neill
Brianne Jenner
Defense Pairings
Left Defense
Right Defense
Pair 1
Jocelyne Larocque
Renata Fast
Pair 2
Ella Shelton
Erin Ambrose
Pair 3
Claire Thompson
Sophie Jaques
Starting Goaltender:Ann-Renée Desbiens (Confirmed as the primary starter for medal games).
Team USA Projected Lineup
Coach John Wroblewski has kept his forward lines remarkably consistent throughout their record-breaking shutout streak.
Unit
Left Wing
Center
Right Wing
Line 1
Alex Carpenter
Tessa Janecke
Hilary Knight
Line 2
Kendall Coyne Schofield
Taylor Heise
Abbey Murphy
Line 3
Hannah Bilka
Kelly Pannek
Grace Zumwinkle
Line 4
Joy Dunne
Kirsten Simms
Britta Curl-Salemme
Defense Pairings
Left Defense
Right Defense
Pair 1
Megan Keller
Laila Edwards
Pair 2
Caroline Harvey
Haley Winn
Pair 3
Lee Stecklein
Cayla Barnes
Starting Goaltender:Aerin Frankel (Currently on a historic Olympic shutout streak).
Lineup Notes to Watch
The Goalie Duel: This game features a battle between the veteran Desbiens, who has been in this pressure cooker many times, and Frankel, who has been mathematically the best goalie in the world over the last two weeks.
Canada’s “Bottom Six”: Interestingly, Canada’s 4th line (O’Neill, Jenner, Gosling) has been more productive than their top lines at times during this tournament. Watch for them to get extra shifts if the top guns are neutralized early.
U.S. Blue Line Offense: Unlike Canada, the U.S. gets a massive portion of its scoring from the defense, specifically Caroline Harvey. Canada will likely task the Turnbull/Stacey line with shadowing her to prevent clean breakouts.
