The NHL is set to take center ice in the 2026 Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014, as some stars, including Auston Matthews and more, head to Milan-Cortina.
In the men’s ice hockey competition, Canada is the odds-on favorite to win its first gold medal since 2014. One of the main featured athletes, Sidney Crosby, will be looking to win his third gold medal since being the only player from that special 2014 Olympic team.
In the last two previous Olympics in 2018 and in 2022, NHL players didn’t join rosters of there respected home team nations. One of the teams that will not be competing in these Olympics is Russia, due to imposed sanctions by the International Olympic Committee, stating that Russia violated the Olympic charter when it invaded Ukraine back in 2022.
The United States team, with the two sets of brothers ( Quinn and Jack Hughes, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk ) Plus Auston Matthews and in net Connor Hellebuyck, will look to claim its first medal since 2010 were Team USA won silver back in Vancouver. But we are hoping to strive for gold this year since the 1980 at lake placid Olympics with the famous Miracle on Ice team.
We take a look now at the odds for each team as the mens olympic ice hockey tournament began on Wednesday. The Gold Medal Game is scheduled for Feb.22.
2026 Olympic Men’s Hockey Odds
Odds By Draftkings, Subject to change
Soren’s Best Selections:
My Top Medal Contenders:
Canada:
Canada has a very good chance of winning the gold medal in Milan-Cortina. The three main reasons they can win gold are that they have elite NHL talent on their team, like Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, and Mitch Marner, to name a few key standout athletes. The second reason is that they have depth at every line. They are loaded in every position on the ice, from elite scorers, two-way forwards, top-pairing defensive men, and star-talented goalies. The last reason is that they have big game experience. Canadian players on this team are dealt with high-pressure environments, such as the Stanley Cup playoffs, world juniors, and, of course, the Olympics.
United States:
Another contender that has a great chance to win gold is Team USA. The three main reasons why they have a chance to win gold are as follows: first, because of the strong goaltending. Team USA has always produced top-tier goalies, and in a short tournament like the Olympics, even when the offense lines do not produce as much, they can always rely on a good goaltender to carry them through elimination games. The second main reason is their speed and transition game. Team USA’s players have improved from the last winter Olympics by possessing speed and being quick in transition to create scoring chances and stretch the defenses out more. The last reason is that they always carry the underdog mentality in games where they are down; they will always try to find a way to win the game when it matters most.
Sweden:
The last contender that has a good chance of Winning gold is Team Sweden. The three main reasons why is the first reason being that they have elite skill and hockey IQ. Swedish hockey players have good positioning on where the puck is at key moments, strong decision making, and lastly play with good discipline that works in the olympic tournament’s. The second reason is that they have a good defensive structure. When they are on defense, they limit mistakes, protect the middle of the ice, and are always patient in low scoring olympic games. The last main reason is that they have good composure under pressure. This team is known for staying calm in tight games and in games where it can be decided by one goal; composure is a huge advantage for this particular team.
Teams Top Goal Scorer:
Team USA Auston Matthews:
My top selection for the team’s top goal scorer would be Auston Matthews. The main reason why I believe he has a good chance to accomplish this is that he has an elite goal-scoring tracking record by having more than 60 goals scored in one season, which only a few NHL Players can accomplish, and that he has an extremely quick wrist shot that can create deceptive shooting angles for all fans to get excited about.
Team Canada Conner McDavid:
My second top selection of top goal scorer would be Conner Mcdavid. The main reason why he can achieve this is that he creates explosive speed that creates scoring chances. With McDavid being the fastest player in the NHL, his acceleration forces defenders to back off, giving him more space to shoot and more breakaway opportunities that can tear defenses apart in seconds, so don’t count this guy out.
Team Finland Sebastian Aho:
My last selection of the top goal scorer is Sebastian Aho. The main reason why he can attain this is that he is a main power play threat. He shoots the puck accurately from the slot, times backdoor cuts well, and can finish quickly off cross-ice passes, which makes him thrive in tournament play competition in the Olympics.
