Canada vs USA Preview & Prediction | 2026 Winter Olympics | Men’s Ice Hockey | Gold Medal Game
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USA aim to follow the lead of their female counterparts and beat Canada in the gold medal game.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports (some events will also be televised on the BBC / TNT Sports / Not Televised / USA – NBC, USA Network, CNBC & NBCSN
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ (some events can be streamed live on the BBC’s digital platforms / USA – Peacock & nbcolympics.com
Canada vs USA prediction
Expect both the countries of Canada and USA to stand still for a few hours as these two sides do battle for bragging rights and Olympic gold at Milano Cortino 2026. It was just over a year ago that they last played each other in a major final, that being the NHL’s inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off. Canada won on that occasion, beating USA 3-2 in overtime and another extremely close encounter should be on the cards this time around.
Canada captain Sidney Crosby missed their narrow semi-final victory over Finland with a lower body injury but could return for the gold medal game in what would be a much-needed boost for the Canadians. Connor McDavid stood in as skipper for the semi-final and all of Canada will look to him for more magic in the final, which would further cement his legacy as arguably the best player in the world today. Nathan Mackinnon scored the decisive goal against the Finnish team with seconds remaining in the third period and he too will have a huge part to play again here.
As for USA, they were dominant in their semi-final against Slovakia, winning 6-2 with New Jersey Devis captain Jack Hughes scoring twice. Him, the Tkachuk brothers, goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck, Auston Matthews and the entire United States squad will need to be at their very best to beat their biggest rivals.
These two nations have faced off seven times previously in the gold medal game with Canada winning six of those matches. USA’s last Olympic gold in Men’s Ice Hockey came all the way back in 1980, whilst Canada most recently won gold in Sochi 2014. Both have done what many expected them to do here in Milan, win all five of their games leading up to the ultimate showdown, although they each needed overtime in the quarter-finals.
When it comes to team play, you could argue that USA edge Canada, particularly from a defensive perspective having conceded less goals than their opponents. However, Canada boasts superior individual talent and flair through players such as McDavid who can turn a game in an instant. When fight for an Olympic gold medal, sometimes you need those individual superstars to be gamebreakers and Canada can readily call upon those names. They know what it takes to beat this USA squad and in what should be yet another instant classic, Canada are worth backing to gain payback for losing the Women’s Ice Hockey final to the United States, by claiming gold in the Men’s final.
Canada vs USA tip: Canada to win
