Olympic Hockey Preview: Mens Division

2026 Olympic Men’s Hockey Preview

Olympic hockey is officially back.

After the excitement of last February’s Four Nations Tournament, anticipation for the 2026 Winter Olympics is at an all-time high. With NHL players fully eligible once again, the men’s hockey tournament is shaping up to be the most talent-packed international event we’ve seen in years.

Twelve nations will compete for gold, but as always, a handful of familiar powers sit at the top of the conversation.

The Favorites

Canada (+115)

Canada enters the tournament as the betting favorite, and it’s easy to see why. Their depth is unmatched, their scoring talent is elite, and their roster is loaded with NHL stars who have spent their entire careers chasing Olympic gold.

Expect Canada to come out flying right from puck drop. They combine speed, skill, and experience better than anyone in the field, and over the course of a short tournament, that depth becomes a massive advantage.

United States (+200)

The United States isn’t far behind. Sitting at 2–1 odds, Team USA brings a roster full of NHL talent, but with a noticeably different approach. Rather than simply icing the “best names,” the U.S. prioritized chemistry and role fit, leaving players like Cole Caufield, Jason Robertson, and Adam Fox off the roster.

Where the Americans truly shine is in net. With Connor Hellebuyck, Jeremy Swayman, Jake Oettinger, the U.S. arguably has the best goaltending tandem in the entire tournament. If they can generate offense in big moments, they’ll be firmly in the gold medal conversation.

The Chasing Pack

Finland (+550) & Sweden (+700)

Finland and Sweden remain respected contenders, but both enter the Olympics with lingering questions.

Neither nation made a convincing statement at the Four Nations Tournament. Finland relied heavily on its trademark defensive structure, while Sweden leaned on depth and puck possession. Both were competitive, but neither separated itself from top-tier opponents.

That said, writing either team off would be a mistake. These are programs built for tournament hockey, capable of locking games down and capitalizing on even the smallest mistakes.

Czech Republic (+1400)

Outside of the traditional powers, Czechia stands out as the most dangerous middle-tier contender. With a strong mix of NHL talent and European league experience, the Czechs excel in structured, high-pressure games and have a long history of rising to the occasion on the international stage.

Slovakia (+3300)

Slovakia brings grit, speed, and confidence following recent international success. While they aren’t favorites, they’re exactly the kind of team no top seed wants to see in a knockout game.

Switzerland (+2000) & Germany (+2500)

Switzerland and Germany continue to trend upward thanks to years of investment in player development. Both teams feature disciplined defensive systems and strong goaltending, making them prime upset candidates in single-elimination play—where one hot goalie can change everything.

Group Stage Projections

Group A

  • Canada (3–0)

  • Czechia (2–1)

  • Switzerland (1–2)

  • France (0–3)

Canada cruises through the group undefeated. Czechia keeps things close early but ultimately falls by three or more goals against Canada. France struggles throughout, losing each game by five or more.

Group B

  • Finland (2–1)

  • Sweden (2–1)

  • Slovakia (2–1)

  • Italy (0–3)

Chaos reigns in Group B. Finland wins the tiebreaker in a tight three-way battle at the top. Italy shows some fight—keeping things close against Slovakia—but ultimately goes winless.

Group C

  • United States (3–0)

  • Latvia (2–1)

  • Germany (1–2)

  • Denmark (0–3)

The United States finishes undefeated, but not comfortably. They struggle significantly against Germany, while Latvia delivers a major upset over the Germans. Denmark fails to seriously threaten.

Qualification Round

Teams Receiving Byes:
 Canada, United States, Finland, Czechia

Matchups & Results:

  • Sweden def. Denmark (11–1)

  • Latvia def. Italy (7–2)

  • Slovakia def. France (4–1)

  • Germany def. Switzerland (4–3)

Quarterfinal Predictions

  • Canada def. Germany (6–2)

  • United States def. Slovakia (5–2)

  • Finland def. Latvia (4–1)

  • Sweden def. Czechia (5–3)

Semifinals

  • Canada def. Sweden (3–2, OT)

  • United States def. Finland (4–2)

Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Canada

The Olympic final delivers exactly what hockey fans want: Canada vs. the United States on the biggest stage in the sport.

It’s tight early, but over 60 minutes, Canada’s depth and scoring firepower prove too much to handle. The U.S. pulls the goalie early while trailing 4–2, only to surrender the empty-netter.

Final Score: Canada 5, USA 2

Another classic. Another gold medal for Canada.