For decades, the narrative was “Canada vs. The World.” In 2026, the narrative has shifted: It’s USA vs. Canada. With the NHL returning to the Olympic stage, Team USA is walking into Milan with a roster that looks like an All-Star team on paper.
The tournament runs from February 11 to February 22, and for bettors, the value on the American squad is hard to ignore.
🏆 The Odds: The Battle for Gold
While Canada remains the slight favorite, the oddsmakers at bet365 are giving the Americans a massive chance to pull off the upset.
Tournament Winner Outright
| Nation | Odds | The Betting Angle |
| Canada | +110 | The safe “Gold Standard” pick. |
| USA | +175 | Best Value: Prime talent depth. |
| Sweden | +850 | The dark horse with elite defense. |
| Finland | +1100 | Always a threat in tactical play. |
Top Player Props (US Interest)
- Top Point Getter: Jack Eichel (+1800) and Auston Matthews (+2300) are high-value targets if the US power play clicks early.
- Top Goal Scorer: Jack Eichel (+3400) and Brady Tkachuk (+6700) offer massive payouts for those betting on American grit.
- Top Scorer (Overall): Matthew Tkachuk (+6700) is a long shot that many US fans are eyeing for his “big game” reputation.
Wide range of offers, great odds, live streaming, and extensive player prop markets. Full Review.
🏒 Group C: The American Path
The U.S. headlines Group C, and while they are expected to dominate, they can’t sleep on the German squad that surprised the world in previous years.
- Group C: USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
- Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
- Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
The Goal: Finish #1 in the group. The top four teams overall get a bye to the Quarter-Finals, avoiding the “do-or-die” qualification round.
⚡ NHL stars: Who to Watch?
The return of the NHL means 149 pro players are currently in Milan.
- 32/32: Every single NHL team has skin in the game.
- The Blueprint: Keep an eye on the Tampa Bay Lightning players (10 in the tournament). Their chemistry will be a major factor.
- The Matchup: The most likely final is USA vs. Canada, currently sitting at 2.25 odds.
📺 How to Watch in the USA
NBC and Peacock own the rights. Since Milan is 6 hours ahead of EST, get ready for early-morning hockey.
- Streaming: Peacock (Every game live).
- TV: NBC and USA Network.
📅 Team USA Schedule: Preliminary Round
| Opponent | Date | EST (NY) | CST (Chicago) | MST (Denver) | PST (LA) |
| vs. Denmark | Wed, Feb 11 | 10:40 AM | 9:40 AM | 8:40 AM | 7:40 AM |
| vs. Latvia | Fri, Feb 13 | 6:10 AM | 5:10 AM | 4:10 AM | 3:10 AM |
| vs. Germany | Sun, Feb 15 | 3:10 PM | 2:10 PM | 1:10 PM | 12:10 PM |
❓ FAQ for US Fans
Is Auston Matthews playing?
Yes. Matthews is expected to center the top line for Team USA. He is a primary target for “Anytime Goalscorer” bets.
What is the tie-breaker/points system?
- 3 points for a regulation win.
- 1 point each for a regulation tie.
- 1 extra point for an Overtime (OT) or Shootout win.
- 0 points for a regulation loss.
Will there be NHL-style rinks?
The Olympics usually use larger international ice, but for 2026, the trend has moved toward the NHL-standard 200′ x 85′ size to accommodate the speed of the NHL stars.
Can I bet on the USA to beat Canada in the Final?
Yes. You can currently bet on the “Finalists” market (Canada/USA at 2.25) or wait for the Gold Medal Game lines to open on February 21.
Author:
Lucas Portela
Owner, BoldGambler • Avanhandava/SP
Oddsmaker, affiliate and content creator in the iGaming industry.