Men’s Hockey Olympics opens tomorrow in Milan as 12 nations prepare for the battle of the century. The NHL’s greatest stars finally return to the Olympic stage after 12 years away. What will it take for a country to claim gold on a stage nobody has seen since 2014?
🔥 Quick Facts
- Starts February 11: Round-robin play begins with Slovakia vs. Finland at 10:40 a.m. ET
- Gold medal game: Sunday, February 22 at 8:10 a.m. ET closes the tournament
- Tournament format: 12 teams split into 3 groups of 4 play round-robin with quarterfinals, semis, and medal rounds
- Canada the favorite: The defending 4 Nations champion brings Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon
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NHL players haven’t competed at the Olympics since 2014 in Sochi, making this a monumental moment. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, the top two scorers in the NHL with 96 and 93 points respectively, will lead Team Canada against elite talent from 11 other nations. The United States, Finland, Sweden, and Czechia also bring rosters loaded with superstars. Sidney Crosby, 38 years old, returns as Canada’s captain for the fourth straight best-on-best competition.
This is the first time since the 4 Nations Face-Off, won by Canada one year ago. The tournament marks the long-awaited return of NHL talent to Olympic hockey, creating unmatched excitement.
The 12-Team Groups Battle for Glory in Milan
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The tournament divides into three groups. Group A features Canada, Czechia, France, and Switzerland. Group B includes Finland, Italy, Slovakia, and Sweden. Group C showcases Denmark, Germany, Latvia, and Team USA. Each team plays three round-robin games within its group from February 11 to 15.
Top teams from each group plus the best second-place finisher automatically advance to the quarterfinals on February 18. Eight teams compete in qualification playoffs on February 17 to claim the remaining four spots.
| Group | Teams | Key Favorite |
| Group A | Canada, Czechia, France, Switzerland | Canada |
| Group B | Finland, Italy, Slovakia, Sweden | Finland |
| Group C | Denmark, Germany, Latvia, USA | USA |
Canada Headlines the Favorites with NHL Elite
Canada arrives as the betting favorite to win gold medal. The team brought 19 of 23 players from the championship 4 Nations Face-Off roster. Macklin Celebrini, 19 years old, becomes the youngest NHL player ever to play for Canada at the Olympics. Cale Makar leads defensemen with 57 points in the regular season.
The biggest question mark remains goaltending. Jordan Binnington led Canada at the 4 Nations but struggles this season with a 3.65 goals-against average. Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson offer proven backup options. Czechia brings David Pastrnak, sixth in the NHL with 71 points, plus Martin Necas with 62 points. Karel Vejmelka leads the NHL with 27 wins and 2.58 goals-against average.
The USA and Europe’s Star Power Challenge for Gold
Team USA faces Denmark, Germany, and Latvia in Group C starting February 12 with Latvia at 3:10 p.m. ET. Finland, Sweden, and Czechia represent serious medal contenders from Europe. Switzerland seeks to end a 78-year medal drought, bringing its best roster ever led by Roman Josi and Nico Hischier. France competes as a significant underdog with only one current NHL player, Alexandre Texier.
Every team brings world-class talent. Sweden features Victor Hedman and other NHL superstars. Italy and Slovakia contest with quality rosters. The tournament showcases the world’s best hockey talent competing at the Olympics for the first time in 12 years.
“Everyone on the team is an unbelievable player, and they’ve all dealt with pressure and high-pressure moments, and everyone on Team Canada thrives under the pressure, so I don’t see that being an issue.”
— Drew Doughty, Team Canada defenseman and two-time Olympic gold medalist
How the Tournament Path to Gold Unfolds Over 12 Days
Round-robin games run from February 11 to 15. Qualification playoffs occur February 17. Quarterfinals begin February 18 with four matches throughout the day. Semifinals follow February 20 with two teams advancing to gold. The bronze medal game airs February 21 and the championship match concludes February 22.
Games run 60 minutes in three 20-minute periods. Ties in preliminary rounds go to 5-minute, 3-on-3 overtime, then best-of-five shootout. The gold medal game features sudden-death overtime with 20-minute periods until a winner emerges. Team USA’s first game against Latvia kicks off February 12 at 3:10 p.m. ET.
Will Canada Make History or Will a New Champion Emerge Tomorrow?
Canada’s quest for gold starts when NHL players step on the Olympic ice for the first time in over a decade. Experts favor Canada with +120 odds per major sportsbooks. The United States sits at +210 odds. Sweden, Finland, and Czechia all have legitimate medal chances. The 2026 Milan Cortina Games promise thrilling matchups with star-studded rosters fighting for Olympic gold glory. All games air on NBC, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, USA Network, and CNBC starting tomorrow morning.
Sources
- NBC Los Angeles – Full men’s hockey schedule, tournament format, and game times for 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics
- NHL.com – Group A preview, rosters, player statistics, and team outlooks for the Olympic tournament
- The Olympic Games Official – Tournament structure, rules, and medal game format for men’s ice hockey competition
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.