USA vs. Canada for Gold? 2026 Olympics Ice Hockey Semi-Finals Preview & Odds
The 2026 Winter Olympics have delivered an unforgettable men's ice hockey tournament, highlighted by the long-awaited return of NHL players for the first time since Sochi 2014 . As we head into the final medal games, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion. Here is your complete guide to the schedule, the superstar players, and what to expect in the gold and bronze medal matches.
🏒 The Road to the Podium: Medal Match Schedule
All times are local Central European Time (CET). Here is the schedule for the final two days of competition:
| Match | Date | Time (CET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze Medal Game | Saturday, 21 February | 20:40 | Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena |
| Gold Medal Game | Sunday, 22 February | 14:10 | Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena |
How to Watch: Fans can catch all the action live on official broadcasters. In the U.S., tune into NBC Olympics and Peacock; in Canada, watch on CBC, Bell Media, and Rogers Media; and in the UK, coverage is on Discovery+ and BBC Sport .
⛸️ Semi-Final Showdowns & Star Players to Watch
The tournament has been building towards a climax, with the semi-finals featuring a mix of perennial powerhouses and resilient underdogs. Olympic champion and NHL Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist shared his insights exclusively with Olympics.com, noting the incredible intensity: three of the four quarter-final games were decided in overtime .
Semi-Final 1: Canada vs. Finland
The Heavy Favorite: Canada entered the tournament as the odds-on favorite to win their 10th gold medal, with betting markets giving them a 45-56% chance to win it all . Their roster is a "who's who" of NHL talent, led by Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and the legendary Sidney Crosby, who is aiming for his third Olympic gold . Lundqvist notes that while Canada struggled at times against the Czech Republic, their "star quality and speed" make them the team to beat .
Player to Watch: Keep an eye on 19-year-old Canadian forward Macklin Celebrini. Lundqvist called him the most impressive player so far, saying, "he is becoming [a superstar] himself and just very entertaining to watch" .
The Resilient Challenger: Finland, the defending Olympic champions from Beijing 2022, are known for their never-say-die attitude . After a late comeback against Switzerland in the quarters, they will rely on structure and stars like Sebastian Aho to counter Canada's firepower .
Semi-Final 2: USA vs. Slovakia
The Gold Medal Hopefuls: The United States is seeking its first gold medal since the iconic "Miracle on Ice" in 1980 . With a 28-29% chance to win gold, they are Canada's biggest threat . Their strength lies in a formidable defense, led by Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, and the best goalie in the world, Connor Hellebuyck .
Player to Watch: For the U.S., captain Auston Matthews leads a high-powered offense that includes stars like Jack Eichel and Matthew Tkachuk .
The Tournament's Dark Horse: Slovakia has been the surprise package of the Olympics. Lundqvist describes their run as "impressive," crediting their discipline, strong team chemistry, and belief in each other . They will need to play a perfect, structured game to upset the U.S. .
🏅 Gold Medal Favorites: Odds and Analysis
Here’s how the top contenders stack up according to recent betting odds and predictions:
📅 Quick Guide to the Tournament Format
For new fans, here’s a quick breakdown of how the tournament works:
Groups: The 12 teams were divided into three groups of four for the preliminary round .
Group A: Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, France
Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Group C: United States, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Knockout Stage: The top teams from the group stage advanced to a single-elimination bracket, leading to the semi-finals and medal games .
The excitement is palpable as we head into the final weekend. Will Canada's star power prevail, or can the U.S. end its 46-year gold medal drought? Don't miss a second of the action
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