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Sports Interaction Staff
Canada vs. USA Women’s Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Preview, Odds and Prediction
Milano Cortina 2026 gives us the seventh all-time Olympic final between these rivals, with puck drop set for Thursday at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Canada is the defending champion after a 3-2 win over the Americans in Beijing in 2022. History says this matchup is almost always tight. Four of the previous six Olympic gold medal meetings have ended 3-2. But recent form tells a different story, as the United States carries a seven-game winning streak over Canada into this final.
Canada vs. USA Women’s Olympic Gold Medal Game Odds
The market has made the Americans clear favourites. The moneyline price reflects their dominant run through this tournament and their recent head-to-head success against Canada.
The total sitting at 5.5 suggests oddsmakers expect scoring, but not a complete track meet given what Team USA has done defensively.
Bet on Canada vs. USA Women’s Hockey
How to Watch Canada vs USA Women’s Olympic Hockey
Date: Thursday, February 19
Time: 1:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Milano Santagiulia IHO
TV: CBC, CBC Gem
Canada enters at 5-1 in the tournament. The United States is a perfect 6-0.
Canada vs. USA Recent History
When these teams last met in the preliminary round, the United States rolled to a 5-0 win. That game marked Canada’s first opening-stage loss at the Olympics since 1998. It also extended the American win streak over Canada to seven games, the longest since the U.S. won eight in a row heading into the 2002 final in Salt Lake City.
At the Olympics overall, Canada holds a 7-4 edge against the Americans and a 5-2 record in gold medal games. Across all competitions, Canada is 106-87-1 against the U.S.
History leans red and white. Momentum leans red, white and blue.
Team United States
It is hard to find flaws in this U.S. roster right now. This is a blend of established legends and a wave of young stars who are not waiting their turn. Caroline Harvey has been electric from the back end, leading the tournament with nine points in six games. Laila Edwards has been equally disruptive. Hannah Bilka has four goals and looks like she belongs on this stage. Abbey Murphy remains dangerous every shift.
And then there’s the goaltending. Aerin Frankel has set an Olympic record with three shutouts and the United States has not allowed a goal in 331:23 of play. They enter the final on a five-game shutout streak and have outscored opponents 31-1 in the tournament, scoring at least five goals in all six games.
Team Canada
If Canada is going to flip the script, it will need its experience to matter.
General manager Gina Kingsbury and head coach Troy Ryan opted for a veteran-heavy roster. That decision now gets its ultimate test. Marie-Philip Poulin, who missed the earlier matchup against the U.S., is expected to be at her best with gold on the line. She has built a career on delivering in these moments.
The veterans will need to elevate. Jocelyne Larocque, Erin Ambrose and Natalie Spooner have struggled at times. Brianne Jenner has been solid but has played more of a depth role.
Canada’s youth has provided sparks. Gosling has driven the power play. Fillier continues to produce. Watts has capitalized on playing alongside Poulin and showcased her skill on the international stage.
The question is whether that mix of experience and emerging talent can withstand the American pace and pressure.
Canada vs. USA Prediction and Best Bet
There are two ways to look at this game.
On one side, the United States has been dominant. Six wins, five straight shutouts, a seven-game win streak over Canada, and a roster that is younger, faster and currently playing its best hockey. That case supports laying the puck line with USA -2.5 at plus money.
On the other side, Olympic history between these teams is rarely comfortable. Four of the last six gold medal meetings ended 3-2. Canada gets Poulin back. The pride factor in this rivalry is enormous. That supports a tighter game than the recent results suggest.
From a betting perspective, the value angle may lie with Canada on the puck line at +2.5. The Americans deserve to be favourites, but gold medal games between these two almost always tighten up. Expect Canada to keep this closer than the recent blowouts, even if the U.S. ultimately lifts gold.
Score Prediction: USA 3, Canada 2