Editor’s note: Follow USA vs. Sweden men’s hockey live scores and updates from 2026 Winter Olympics.
The United States men’s ice hockey team already advanced to the quarterfinals at the 2026 Winter Olympics by virtue of its 3-0 record in preliminary action at the Milan Cortina Games. But the Americans are still waiting to learn their opponent to begin the elimination rounds of the Olympic hockey tournament. The playoff qualification games set for Feb. 17 in Milan will provide the answer.
The winner of Sweden vs. Latvia will determine who the U.S. faces Wednesday with a spot in the semifinals hanging in the balance. Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Czechia and Denmark will also compete in playoff qualification games as part of the first Olympics with NHL players since 2014. The four losing teams will be eliminated from this year’s Olympic competition. Canada, Finland and Slovakia have also received byes into the quarterfinal round, in addition to the U.S.
Here’s a look at the schedule for the men’s ice hockey playoff qualification games and quarterfinals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, as well as how to watch all the action:
All times Eastern
Tuesday, Feb. 17
All times Eastern
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Two of the four playoff qualification games (Czechia vs. Demark and Sweden vs. Latvia) to determine the remaining four teams to advance to the quarterfinal round of the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey event will be broadcast nationally on USA Network with streaming coverage on Peacock.
The two early games (Germany vs. France and Switzerland vs. Italy) are streaming-only games in the United States and available exclusively via Peacock and NBCOlympics.com
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