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MILAN – The United States men’s hockey team begins its quest for gold against Latvia in Olympics preliminary play today – Thursday, Feb. 12 – at Milano Santagiulia Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy. This game is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.
Men’s United States hockey will air on USA Network today at 3:10 p.m. Eastern (9:10 p.m. Central European Time). If you remain locked out of NBC channels by the FuboTV dispute, you can utilize a free trial from DIRECTV, which is also offering $40 off your first month.
This game is also streaming live on Peacock, which offers full Olympic coverage of every event in Milano Cortina. Lock in the monthly rate today and watch every event from start to finish for the low price of $10.99, or the annual subscription for $109.99.
Looking to navigate the streaming world without spending a dime? You can pick up a free trial of Peacock by subscribing to a free trial of Walmart+.
The most flexible non-free option is Sling TV, which now offers new users a Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly for $45.99 and Season Pass for $199.99 for five months and $45.99 per month thereafter. You can also grab half off the first month on the Sling Orange and Blue package.
The United States is searching for its first Olympics gold medal since 1980. The team, led by New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan, has the pressure of a nation on its shoulders. It is considered one of the more talented rosters ever assembled in U.S. hockey. But is it enough?
The Americans gave fans a thrilling rollercoaster ride at the inaugural 4-Nations Face-Off, falling to rival Canada, 3-2 in overtime, in the gold medal game. The Canadians open up their Olympic play today with a matchup against Czechia at 10:40 a.m. Eastern.
Watch Canada men’s hockey vs. Czechia for free on DIRECTV
The United States is captained by Toronto Maple Leafs centerpiece Auston Matthews, who arrives on a bit of a cold streak. He has scored just once in his last 31 shots. Matthews also failed to light the lamp at the 4-Nations Face-Off.
On the contrary, Matt Boldy enters the fray with a career-high 32 goals for the Minnesota Wild. He will skate alongside Matthews and Jake Guentzel.
Jack Eichel will center Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk, making for a menacing top six.
Winger Tage Thompson will be a name to watch on the reserve power play, where the United States can quickly bury the Latvians.
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who was nails in the 4-Nations Face-Off with a .932 save percentage, returns between the pipes for the Stars and Stripes.
NHL players will make their return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014. Only seven players from that roster are still playing in the NHL. No player from that squad will play in 2026.
Best on best returns in Milano Cortina.
Watch USA men’s hockey vs. Latvia for free on DIRECTV
Latvia touts six NHL players on its roster and a potential top-10 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Zemgus Girgensons, Sandis Vilmanis, Teddy Blueger and Uvis Balinskis, along with goalies Artur Silovs and Elvis Merzlikins, make up the NHL representatives.
18-year-old defenseman Alberts Smits has turned heads and is the only Latvia player eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Eduard Tralmaks is a top scorer in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. This will be an elevated spotlight for the 28-year-old prospect, owned by the Detroit Red Wings.
The path to an upset rests on the shoulders of Merzlikins or Silovs. The Latvians are expected to deploy a heavy, defensive strategy with a rugged pace. They will pick their spots on counters to minimize the damage.
The Latvians downed the United States in the IIHF World Championship third-place game in 2023. That victory gave the country their first-ever medal in major men’s hockey. A win would mark one of the biggest upsets in Olympic men’s hockey history.
The U.S. men’s hockey team is in group C at Milano Cortina, joining Latvia, Denmark and Germany.
Moneyline: USA: (-2400), LAT: (+1200)
Puck spread: USA: -3.5, LAT: +3.5
Over/Under: 6.5
Odds from DraftKings
Here’s more information on how to watch Olympics men’s hockey on TV and streaming services
Robert Fenbers, who has been a freelance journalist since 2015, is the sports commerce reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Robert focuses on local and national sporting event ticket sales and how…
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