The United States men’s hockey team has earned a chance to make history in Sunday’s gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
A dominant 6-2 win for the U.S. over Slovakia in Friday’s semifinal game has set up a showdown against archrival Canada.
It’s the moment this American team has been working toward since suffering a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-off final in Boston exactly one year ago on Feb. 20, 2025.
Team USA has not won a gold medal in Olympic men’s hockey since the Miracle on Ice team in 1980. They’ve come close a few times, taking home the silver medal in 2002 and 2010 after losing to the Canadians both times.
The American teams in those two silver medal years were clearly a tier below Canada in terms of talent and depth. That is no longer the case. This is the best United States team in a long time — maybe ever — with better goaltending depth and a comparable amount of offensive and defensive talent to their Canadian rivals.
The U.S. roster from the 4 Nations Face-off largely returned for the Olympics, with a few notable additions and better health.
Quinn Hughes is the second-best defenseman in the NHL and has dominated for large stretches of this Olympic tournament, including the game-winning goal in overtime to beat Sweden in the semifinals. He missed the 4 Nations due to injury.
Charlie McAvoy has been Hughes’ defense partner. He’s been fantastic defensively in Milan, bringing a physical presence to the ice each shift. He missed the 4 Nations final due to injury.
Quinn’s brother Jack did not play well at the 4 Nations, but he’s been unstoppable at the Olympics with six points in five games, including two goals in the semifinal victory over Slovakia. Dylan Larkin was one of Team USA’s best forwards at the 4 Nations, and he scored in both the quarterfinals and semifinals in Milan.
Matthew Tkachuk, who has been an emotional leader and a force offensively (six assists) at the Olympics, is now healthy after barely being able to play in the 4 Nations final last year because of an injury.
The Americans are also peaking at the right time. Friday’s performance against Slovakia was their best of the tournament. The game was essentially over in the second period. This squad is playing with loads of confidence and swagger.
The Canadians, meanwhile, are frankly a bit lucky to be in the gold medal game Sunday.
They trailed Czechia 2-1 in the third period of their quarterfinal matchup and tied the score with 3:27 remaining in regulation before winning in overtime. Canada trailed 2-0 to Finland in Friday’s semifinal game but won 3-2 thanks to two power-play goals, including one scored by Nathan MacKinnon with 36 seconds remaining.
Canadian captain and two-time Olympic gold medalist Sidney Crosby missed the semifinal with a lower body injury. His status for Sunday is unknown.
The Canadians are beatable, especially if the Americans stay out of the penalty box. Canada’s top power play unit — which features the unreal combination of Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, Sam Reinhart, Cale Makar and MacKinnon — is a nightmare to defend.
Canada has led for only five percent of its two knockout round games so far. They’ve needed two miracle comebacks.
The 4 Nations final loss was a very painful one for the Americans. So was the overtime defeat in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympics when Crosby scored the golden goal.
The U.S. has sought revenge for over a decade, and now the Americans have a chance to make a statement and prove they can beat the best team in the world on the biggest stage.
This is their time: an opportunity to be heroes forever and win the ultimate prize.
