Canada vs. USA Women’s Olympic Hockey: Preliminary Preview, Odds and Prediction

Canada faces the United States in a women’s Olympic hockey preliminary round matchup on Tuesday in Milan.

Canada vs. USA Preliminary Round 

The rivalry everyone circles on the Olympic calendar returns Tuesday afternoon in Milan. Canada and the United States meet for the 11th time in Olympic women’s hockey, renewing a matchup that has defined the sport for more than two decades. While both teams arrive unbeaten, the paths have looked different, and the betting market reflects that.

Team Canada Women’s Olympic Hockey Preview

Canada vs. USA Women’s Olympic Hockey Betting Preview

The United States enters as the favourite after a dominant start to the tournament, while Canada sits in the underdog role despite its history in this rivalry. Check out all the betting options for Canada vs. USA women’s hockey preliminary here. 

The total is set at 5.5 goals, which tracks with how these teams have played so far. The Americans have scored five goals in each of their first three games, while Canada put up five against Czechia and continues to generate offence across multiple lines.

Team Canada

Canada improved to 2-0 in preliminary play with a 5-1 win over Czechia on Monday. Kristin O’Neill opened the scoring, Julia Gosling added two power-play goals, and Sarah Fillier and Laura Stacey rounded out the offence. Brianne Jenner chipped in with two assists.

The biggest storyline is the status of captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who left the Czechia game in the first period and did not return. Her availability looms large given her history against the United States, including the gold medal–winning goal in Beijing four years ago.

Canada’s Olympic newcomers continue to make noise. Gosling leads the team with three goals through two games, while O’Neill and Daryl Watts have also found the scoresheet. The Canadians have looked balanced, dangerous on the power play, and calm defensively, especially when protecting leads.

Team USA

The Americans are 3-0 and sitting atop Group A after a 5-0 shutout of Switzerland on Monday. Joy Dunne and Caroline Harvey each recorded a goal and two assists, Alex Carpenter added a goal and a helper, and the U.S. goaltending rotation remained spotless.

Team USA has scored five goals in all three of its games and carries a plus-14 goal differential into this matchup. Hilary Knight, skating in her fifth and final Olympics, already has two goals and four points. She is now tied for the U.S. record in career Olympic goals.

Despite the veteran leadership, this roster is also defined by new faces. Twelve players are making their Olympic debuts, including all three goaltenders. Aerin Frankel has allowed just one goal in two starts, and Gwyneth Philips was perfect in her Olympic debut before Ava McNaughton finished off the combined shutout against Switzerland.

How to Watch Canada vs. USA Women’s Hockey in Canada

Date: Tuesday, February 10
Time: 2.10 p.m. ET
Location: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena

Canadian viewers can watch Canada vs the United States live on CBC Television, with streaming available on CBC Gem. CBC is the official Canadian broadcaster of the 2026 Winter Olympics and will carry full coverage of women’s hockey throughout the tournament.

Canada vs. USA Prediction

These games are rarely wide open, regardless of recent results or group-stage form. The United States has looked sharper offensively and deeper in net so far, which explains the favourite tag. Canada, however, has a long history of finding its best game in this matchup, especially on the Olympic stage.

If Poulin is unavailable, that tilts the balance slightly toward the Americans. Even so, expect a tight, physical game with stretches of controlled play rather than constant chances.

Prediction: United States 3, Canada 2
Lean to the Under 5.5, with value on Canada +1 in what should be another one-goal rivalry game.

Women’s Olympic Hockey Futures