2026 Milan Winter Olympics: Team USA men’s hockey preview, odds and predictions
Team USA enters the 2026 Winter Olympics with a lot to prove. The Americans fell short in the 4 Nations Face Off gold medal game last February, as Connor McDavid potted the overtime winner for the Canadians. Team Canada also defeated Team USA the last time NHL players featured in the Olympics, back in the semifinals of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Both of those losses still sting in the minds of Team USA hockey fans, and this tournament presents a new opportunity for the Americans to get their revenge on their rivals to the north.
2026 Winter Olympics Team USA men’s hockey odds and betting trends
Since NHL players first went to the Olympics in 1998, Team USA has never medaled outside of North America. That is a trend this group is looking to change in Italy.
Team USA begins its 2026 Winter Olympics with a matchup against Latvia on Thursday, February 12. The Americans are heavily favoured to start the tournament with a win, as they boast moneyline odds of -2400 and are -3.5 with odds of -135 on the puck line.
Oddsmakers are also heavily favouring the Americans to win their group, as Team USA has a -1100 price to top Group C. When it comes to winning the gold medal, Team USA has the second-best odds of the field with odds of +175. Team Canada leads the pack with odds of +115 to win gold.
Team USA players to watch
This squad possesses plenty of firepower from top to bottom. One player to keep an eye on is Tage Thompson. Thompson was originally snubbed from Team USA’s roster for the 4 Nations Face Off last year, which means he’s entering the Olympics with a chip on his shoulder. Thompson is among the most dangerous goal-scorers in the NHL, as his massive 6’6″ 220-pound frame and rocket of a shot make him a scoring threat every shift. He has 29 goals through 56 games this season, which puts him on pace to reach the 40-goal mark for the third time in his career.
Another key player to watch will be defenseman Zach Werenski. A lot of attention will be paid to superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes, and rightfully so, but Werenski is a superstar in his own right. Werenski is second in the NHL among defencemen with 62 points this season, and now has 144 points in 133 games over the last two seasons. He’s also proven he can perform under the brightest lights, as he led the 4 Nations Face Off in scoring with six points through four games.
2026 Winter Olympics Team USA men’s hockey best bet: Team USA to win gold (+175)
There’s a lot to like about Team USA heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics. The forward group features plenty of firepower, and when guys like Matt Boldy, Tage Thompson, and Kyle Connor are projected to be on the third line, that’s when you know you have a scary roster on your hands. In addition, the defensive group is arguably the best Team USA has ever seen. Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski are two of the best puck-movers in hockey, and Jaccob Slavin is widely considered to be the best defensive defenseman in the NHL.
Team USA’s goaltending group of Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman could also give the Americans the edge in net over Canada’s group of Jordan Binnington, Logan Thompson, and Darcy Kuemper. Team USA has a lot to prove, and this group is capable of getting the job done.