2026 Winter Olympic men's ice hockey predictions and betting odds

By Klimentijs Konevs | Published: February 9, 2026

NHL players return to the Olympic stage, making the men's ice hockey tournament one of the most anticipated events at Milano-Cortina 2026. For the first time since 2014, the world's top stars will help their countries battle for gold, restoring the tournament's prestige.

Canada are the team to beat this year, with the United States close behind and Sweden positioned as a third contender. All three squads will arrive with full NHL line-ups. The Four Nations Face-Off last February offered a preview of what to expect with NHL players back in the fold. Canada took home that title and are now set to replicate the success in Italy. Below, we break down the schedule, squads, betting odds, and predictions for the men's Olympic ice hockey tournament.

Canada's Olympic hockey team roster

Goalies: Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings), Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals)

Defencemen: Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings), Thomas Harley (Dallas Stars), Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets), Colton Parayko (St. Louis Blues), Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia Flyers), Shea Theodore (Vegas Golden Knights), Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche)

Forwards: Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), Sam Bennett (Florida Panthers), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay Lightning), Bo Horvat (New York Islanders), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Brad Marchand (Florida Panthers), Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes), Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers), Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights), Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens), Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals)

USA Olympic hockey team roster

Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets), Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars), Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins)

Defencemen: Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild), Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins), Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights), Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild), Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators), Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes), Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Forwards: Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild), Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils), Clayton Keller (Utah Mammoth), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), J.T. Miller (New York Rangers), Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche), Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers), Vincent Trocheck (New York Rangers)

Players to watch

Connor McDavid

McDavid is the most dangerous offensive player not just on Olympic ice, but in the NHL full stop. Ever since going first overall in the 2015 draft, no one has produced at his level, and that standard hasn't dipped. This season, he's already up to 34 goals and 62 assists, coming straight off another 100-point campaign. Big moments tend to find him, too. He was the one to score an overtime winner for Canada at the Four Nations Face-Off.

Connor Hellebuyck

The United States' biggest strength is in goal, where Connor Hellebuyck shines. He's coming off back-to-back Vezina Trophy wins, led all NHL goalies in victories, and finished last season with a .925 save percentage. In a short Olympic tournament where margins are razor-thin, Hellebuyck gives the USA the confidence that they can survive.

David Pastrnak

Pastrnak is the headline name for Czechia, and the player everything runs through in the offensive zone. He's having another elite NHL campaign, sitting 6th overall in points with 22 goals and 49 assists. He's the only Czech player currently inside the NHL's top 10. Pastrnak helped Czechia win gold at the 2024 World Championship, where he scored the winner in the final against Switzerland.

Canada lead the betting lines at 1.95, backed by the strongest NHL roster. The USA are close behind at 2.75, while Sweden round out the leading trio at 7.50.

*Olympic hockey odds updated on 09.02.2026

Group A winner

Canada should win Group A without much trouble. With elite star power led by McDavid, Crosby and MacKinnon, they are simply too dangerous for most opponents. Czechia look like the only side capable of pushing them. That matchup should be entertaining, but over the group stage, Canada are finishing first.

Group B winner

Group B is an intriguing one, with Sweden and Finland closely matched on paper. The Finns are the reigning Olympic champions from 2022. However, with NHL players back in the mix, repeating that level of success looks unlikely. On top of that, Alexander Barkov will not take part in the tournament as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. Sweden are our pick to finish top of the group.

Group C winner

Group C looks very favourable for the United States. All three opponents are sitting well below their level. Latvia did beat the USA at the 2023 World Championship, but that feels like a long time ago now. With Hellebuyck guarding the net, anything other than a comfortable group win would be a surprise.

Who will win the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament?

Canada is our pick to win the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics. They look stacked from top to bottom and already proved their point at the Four Nations Face-Off. They've defeated all main contenders on the way to the trophy.

The USA should cruise through their group and might not need to hit top gear until the knockouts, but a Canada-USA clash still feels like the matchup everyone's heading towards. Finland are the defending champions from 2022, yet this best-on-best format makes it hard to see them repeating that run. Sweden, meanwhile, look well placed to finish on the podium.

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