The United States wins the gold medal in men’s hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, beating Canada 2-1 on Jack Hughes’ overtime goal on Feb. 22.
After Matt Boldy scored for USA in the first period, Cale Makar tied the game for Canada in the second period. A physical, tight contest went to overtime, setting up Hughes’ goal just 1:41 into overtime.
This is the United States’ first gold medal in hockey since 1980 at Lake Placid. Canada will finish with the silver medal, which they previously won in 1994 at Lillehammer.
Connor Hellebuyck finished with 41 saves in the win. Jordan Binnington made 26 saves in the loss.
With USA and Canada tied 1-1 after 60 minutes, the two teams will go to overtime. In overtime, teams will skate 3-on-3 for 20 minutes until someone scores. There is no shootout. There will be a 15-minute intermission between overtime periods.
Canada missed on at least two shots – one by Celebrini, which went just wide of the net – on their power play. The USA holds off their attack long enough to get to overtime, but Canada is still dominating play.
Teams will play 3-on-3 during the 20-minute overtime until someone scores. No shootout.
USA was able to generate a few chances in the first two minutes, but disaster strikes when Jack Hughes commits a tripping penalty. That will cancel out the USA man advantage and give Canada a brief power play as well. Not ideal for the USA with less than four minutes left.
Sam Bennett commits a double minor for high sticking. USA will get a four-minute power play. This is massive.
Frenetic action with under 10 minutes left. MacKinnon has the puck open on the back door and sends it just wide. Then USA floods the zone, but can’t put the puck by Binnington with three guys in front. A long scramble in front of Hellebuyck, but the puck disappears until the USA can clear it.
Peak drama with the game still tied 1-1 with 7:30 left.
Connor Hellebuyck is the only reason this game isn’t already over. Canada is pouring shots on the USA net, but Hellebuyck has been outstanding. After the stick save on Toews, he also stopped Celebrini on a breakaway.
With 13 minutes left in the third, we are tied 1-1.
Canada equalizes with less than two minutes left in the period on Cale Makar’s goal. USA nearly got the lead back when Brock Faber’s long range shot rang off both posts, but we are tied 1-1 through 40 minutes.
You could not have asked for a better gold medal game.
USA was conceding possession a bit too much and Cale Makar finally ties it. After a face-off win, Makar peels down the right side and fires a wrist shot by Hellebuyck. We are tied 1-1 with under two minutes left in the second.
Many crucial moments in this second period, but the missed 5-on-3 power play by Canada looms large. Hellebuyck has been outstanding in net. So has the USA defense. You’d like to see better decisions by the forwards (on both sides), but very little to complain about in this one. A fantastic game so far.
Hellebuyck stood tall in net, but give credit to the USA penalty killers for having active sticks. That’s a momentum killer for Canada, as they see their best chance to tie the game evaporate.
With Jake Guentzel in the box, Charlie McAvoy commits another penalty, giving Canada a 5-on-3 power play. A huge moment in this game for both sides.
Biggest save of the day for Hellebuyck comes on a McDavid breakaway. McDavid sped by Brock Faber, but perhaps over stickhandled on his way to the net. Hellebuyck walls off the chance.
However, shortly after the save, the USA heads to the penalty box. First power play upcoming for Canada.
More extended play by Canada in the USA zone. A shot by McDavid glanced off Hellbuyck and trickled just wide of the net. Same thing happened with a Drew Doughty shot that Hellebuyck had trouble with. Then Marchand gets a wide open shot from the right circle that Hellebuyck sends wide with his pad. USA leads 1-0 with 14:20 left, but Canada is pouring on shots.
USA leads Canada 1-0 after 20 minutes. Matt Boldy has the only goal of the first period. A good start for USA, but it does feel like they left goals on the ice – the late power play looked sharp, but too many missed shot chances for USA. Hard to see Canada getting shut out in this game, so USA will need more goals.
The first power play of the game goes to USA. Brock Nelson drives into the zone, drawing a hooking call on Shea Theodore. Big moment here late in the first period.
Canada is finding their legs in the offensive zone. Celebrini, MacKinnon, and Makar cycled a nice possession to generate a couple tough shots on Hellebuyck. With 8:35 left in the first, USA leads 1-0, but Canada has a 7-2 edge in shots.
USA scores the first goal of the game. Matt Boldy chips the puck through Devon Toews and Cale Makar, then pockets it by Binnington for a 1-0 lead with 14 minutes left. Excellent play by the Minnesota Wild forward to get USA on top.
USA spent a solid minute in the Canada zone to start the game, but couldn’t manage a shot on Binnington. Connor Hellebuyck has to make two quick saves in transition as Canada strikes back. No score with 16:35 left in the first.
The goaltending matchup will feature Jordan Binnington for Canada and Connor Hellebuyck for USA. Binnington has started every game for Canada in the tournament, while Hellebuyck started all but one game for USA.
Canada will be without their captain once again. Sidney Crosby, who suffered an injury against Czechia in the quarterfinal, will miss his second consecutive game for Canada. Connor McDavid will be the captain in his place.
The Canada vs United States game will be televised by NBC’s Olympics coverage. Streaming is available on Peacock.
Odds according to BetMGM on Saturday, Feb. 21
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