Men's Olympic Ice Hockey
2026 Olympic
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Team USA and Canada are facing off in the gold medal game of the men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics today.
A rivalry clash 12 years in the making since the last time NHL players participated in the Games, this is a rematch of the 2002 and 2010 finals, both of which were won by Canada. The U.S. is seeking its third gold medal in men's hockey, while Canada is seeking its 10th.
Team USA is rolling into the gold medal game with serious momentum while Canada's path to the finale has featured multiple late comebacks and a few key injuries.
What are the biggest concerns for Team Canada in gold medal game? Arpon Basu and Pierre LeBrun answer that question above.
The starting goaltenders of both of these teams was a prominent storyline leading into this tournament and has remained so during it. Both have been enduring rough seasons in the NHL, but Connor Hellebuyck has looked like the reigning Vezina Trophy winner that he is, while Jordan Binnington has looked shaky at times.
Connor Hellebuyck – USA
Jordan Binnington – Canada
America is waking up early for the gold medal men’s hockey game, and some government officials are making sure fans can be… with good spirits. In New York, alcohol enforcement will be suspended for the morning, with governor Kathy Hochul posting on social media:
"It’s a gold medal morning.
"I’ve directed the State Liquor Authority to suspend enforcement of alcohol service hours from 6–10 AM so bars and restaurants can open early and fans can watch the U.S. go for the gold together."
Today's gold medal game is the biggest hockey contest in the world for at least the past 12 years, and perhaps even longer. And with a start time of 8:10 a.m. ET in North America, it's no surprise that rules are being bent to allow bars and restaurants to cater to fans.
Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, announced on social media after Canada's semifinal victory on Friday that alcohol can be sold starting from 6 a.m. ET today.
💬 "The entire country will be watching on Sunday morning as our men’s hockey team plays for Olympic gold.
"Let’s all come together, support local businesses and cheer on Team Canada!"
Similar undertakings are happening across the other Canadian provinces as well.
Canada has not played up to its potential in its last two games, but as talented as this team is, that could change in an instant. After all, the Canadians are just one game of quality away from taking home the gold medal. What needs to happen on the ice to make that a reality?
Arpon Basu shares his perspective here.
GO FURTHER
Canada needs ‘controlled chaos’ of Wilson, Bennett and Marchand in Olympic gold medal game
In case you missed it, the U.S. women's hockey team won the gold medal on Thursday, beating Canada in overtime in a thrilling instant classic of a contest. The win by the women gives the U.S. men a unique opportunity to make a bit of history today. Since women's hockey was introduced at the Winter Olympics in 1998, only one nation – Canada, unsurprisingly – has won the gold medal in both men's and women's hockey at the same Games, doing so in 2002, 2010 and 2014.
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan spoke yesterday about the importance of today's gold medal game.
💬 "It is a privilege to be here, and I know these guys take it seriously.
"There have been two gold medals. The first medal was in 1960, and there were 16 players on the roster. In 1980, there were 20 players on the roster, so when you think about it in those terms, there have been 36 American-born players who have gold medals.
"What an incredible opportunity we have. We know it is a big challenge, and we will have to go out and earn it. This group has an opportunity to become part of that legacy.
"There is no higher stage than international competition at the Olympics. These guys cherish this opportunity. We understand it does not come around often."
When the tournament began, Team USA vs. Canada for gold was the expected finale. That destiny was fulfilled but injuries may end up playing a role in the final result.
Learn more from Arpon Basu and Pierre LeBrun in the video above.
For the second year in a row, Josh Morrissey will miss a big Canada-USA matchup with an upper-body injury.
Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper said after practice yesterday that Morrissey was out — a big loss, as Morrissey is the No. 2 defenseman on the team. Morrissey was injured in the Olympic opener and tried to ramp it up in practice over the past week to come back but he couldn’t get there.
“We want Josh in this game, he helps us with puck moving and everything he does, but in the end if you’re not physically able to do it …” Cooper said. “But Josh, in the end, he just wouldn’t be able to perform. … So we had to make a decision,” added Cooper.
Crushing news for the defenseman, especially after also missing the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game in Boston last year with an illness.
Sidney Crosby hasn’t been ruled out of today's gold medal game despite missing Friday’s semifinal win over Finland. Yesterday, Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper said he would meet with Canada’s superstar leader in the evening and see where things were. Crosby did skate with his teammates yesterday in what was a closed practice to media.
“We’ll see. I watched him skate today,” Cooper said. “I haven’t spoken to him yet. We’re going to meet tonight and have a determination of what’s going to happen tomorrow. He won’t put himself in harm’s way. He’s not going to put the team in harm’s way. Obviously we’d love to have him, but that determination will be made tonight.”
Cooper ruled out dressing Crosby as the 13th forward just to have him on the bench to cheer on his teammates. “No, it’s too important. We don’t want to have someone in there as an inspiration when we could have a player in there capable of helping,” Cooper said. “You never know if guys are going to get hurt in a game. And he wouldn’t want to do that either.”
Canada has been pushed to the limit in its last two games, but ultimately the immense talent of this side prevailed, stringing together comeback victories. Against Team USA, however, that margin for error will be significantly smaller.
Former NHL player and two-time Olympic gold medalist Chris Pronger explains why today will be Canada’s biggest test of the Winter Games.
GO FURTHER
Chris Pronger: Canada’s biggest test awaits in gold medal game showdown with USA
Canada dominated its preliminary group en route to claiming the top seed heading into the knockout stage. They outscored opponents 20-3, beating all of Czech Republic, Switzerland and France in blowout fashion.
Things took a stark turn in the knockout stage, however, as the Canadians had to come from behind multiple times to edge past Czech Republic and Finland in the quarter and semifinals. Canada needed Nick Suzuki's goal with less than four minutes left to force overtime against the Czechs, before Mitch Marner scored the OT winner. And against Finland, the Canadians trailed 2-0 before Nathan MacKinnon's power-play goal gave them their first lead with just 36 seconds left.
Jack Hughes shined for Team USA against Slovakia in the semifinals and he will be pivotal again in the gold medal game against Canada.
For more on the American forward, check out this video from Mark Lazerus.
Tage Thompson left Friday's semifinal following the second period after suffering a lower-body injury. The big winger had a goal and an assist in the game, giving him three goals and an assist in five games. He’s a big part of the first power-play unit, and Dylan Larkin took over that spot in the third period.
After the game, head coach Mike Sullivan said Thompson was withdrawn for precautionary reasons and that he anticipated him being ready for today's gold medal game. Thompson was on the ice for Team USA's practice yesterday.
Should Thompson be unable to play today, Kyle Connor is the extra forward.
In Team USA's decisive 6-2 win over Slovakia in the semifinals, Dylan Larkin set the tone with the game's opening goal and the Americans never looked back. The 29-year-old has been at the core of Team USA's success with his play on the ice and his leadership.
Learn more about Larkin, including the immense praise he receives from his teammates, in this story written by Michael Russo.
GO FURTHER
Dylan Larkin’s opportunity on the grandest stage with the U.S. is exactly what he deserves
Team USA was drawn into what looked like a very weak group on paper, and ultimately cruised through its three preliminary games despite a hiccup in the second one. The U.S. routed Latvia and Germany, both by a 5-1 scoreline. The game against Denmark was tougher, as they trailed 2-1 at the first intermission following a rough period for second-string goalie Jeremy Swayman, but Team USA ultimately rallied for a 6-3 win.
Things were much tougher in the quarterfinal against Sweden. The U.S. led for nearly half the game on Dylan Larkin's goal, but the Swedes forced overtime with Mika Zibanejad's goal with 1:31 remaining. Quinn Hughes was ultimately the hero for the Americans, scoring on a wicked shot during the 3-on-3 OT. Team USA's semifinal was less dramatic, as they thrashed Slovakia 6-2 to advance to today's final.
Doug Armstrong and Bill Guerin have taken their share of arrows in the last few months with the second-guessing of their roster selections.
That comes with the territory of taking on that job.
Well, here they are in the Olympic men’s gold medal game. So there’s some vindication there on some level.
Keep reading at the link below.
GO FURTHER
Amid scrutiny of their Olympic roster decisions, nothing but respect between U.S. and Canada GMs
The 2026 Milan Cortina Games marks the first time NHL players have competed in the Olympics since 2014.
2022 Beijing
2018 Pyeongchang
2014 Sochi
2010 Vancouver
2006 Turin
2002 Salt Lake City
Russia competed as Olympic Athletes from Russia in 2018 and as Russian Olympic Committee in 2022 due to sanctions related to doping.
There have been 25 previous editions of men's hockey at the Winter Olympics. Here are the six most successful nations:
Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia have also won medals in men's hockey.
Russia and Czechia's totals include medals won as predecessor nations.
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