USA Hockey 2026 Olympic Picks & Odds

The 2026 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team (for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Feb. 6-22, 2026) marks the return of NHL players to the Olympics after a 12-year absence (last in 2014). This is a star-studded, deep roster widely regarded as one of the strongest in U.S. Olympic history, with elite talent across all positions.

The team is a legitimate gold-medal contender, especially with high-end scoring, dynamic defense, and strong goaltending depth. Gamblers and hockey analysts praise this as potentially the greatest U.S. forward group ever assembled for the Olympics, featuring two elite centers and high-volume scorers.

The defense is mobile and puck-moving, and goaltending is a strength with a Vezina-caliber starter. Snubs and surprises were minimal, though some noted depth choices, such as increased scoring for certain veterans.

Interest in and viewership of Olympic Hockey are consistently high. And hockey betting traffic will be a stampede.

Team USA 2026 Olympic Hockey Preview

Odds to Win Gold Medal: Canada +120, USA +175, Sweden +600, Finland +1000, All Other Teams +2500 or Higher

2026 Team USA Hockey Roster

First Six

F Jack Eichel, Golden Knights

F Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs

F Brady Tkachuk, Senators

F Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers

D Quinn Hughes, Wild (missed 4 Nations with injury)

D Charlie McAvoy, Bruins

Additional Team USA forwards

Matt Boldy, Wild

Kyle Connor, Jets

Jake Guentzel, Lightning

Jack Hughes, Devils

Clayton Keller, Mammoth

Dylan Larkin, Red Wings

J.T. Miller, Rangers

Brock Nelson, Avalanche

Tage Thompson, Sabres

Vincent Trocheck, Rangers

Additional Team USA defensemen

Brock Faber, Wild

Noah Hanifin, Golden Knights

Seth Jones, Panthers

Jake Sanderson, Senators

Jaccob Slavin, Hurricanes

Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets

Team USA goaltenders

Connor Hellebuyck, Jets

Jake Oettinger, Stars

Jeremy Swayman, Bruins

GM Bill Guerin said that he wanted to build a team, not an All-Star team. And he has that. There's scoring, there's grit, there's checking, there's some of the best goaltending in the Olympics. The power play has strong potential; there are plenty of penalty killers, and their centers are solid on faceoffs. Plus, players are familiar with one another, important in a short tournament.

One could argue that the USA might have won the 4 Nations if Quinn Hughes and McAvoy weren't injured and Matthew Tkachuk could have played the full championship game.

But is the best team determined by how players are performing this season? Miller has had an up-and-down season. Slavin has been limited to five games by injury. Tkachuk is still rehabbing from offseason surgery but is nearing a return. Each player in the first six has been hurt at some point this season, suppressing their stats. Some U.S. players having solid seasons didn't make the cut.

As with Canada, the USA's player pool is so deep that it's a matter of hard choices rather than snubs. But a few names stand out. Dallas' Jason Robertson has been on fire and is the U.S. leader in points and is second in goals. Montreal's Cole Caufield has had a strong season, as has his teammate, defenseman Lane Hutson.

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Public Betting Odds Factors

Team Canada is considered the favorite due to an elite center depth chart featuring Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and veteran Sidney Crosby. They recently won the 4-Nations Face-Off, solidifying their status as the team to beat.

Team USA is the primary challenger, led by stars Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and the Tkachuk brothers. Betting markets suggest they have the best goaltending in the tournament with Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman.

Team Sweden is often viewed as the best value bet outside of North America. Their strength lies in a deep defensive core led by Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson.

Team Finland, the defending 2022 champions, see their odds drop compared to previous years because the return of NHL players favors the North American rosters. They remain dangerous due to their disciplined, defensive system.

Team Russia will not participate.

Team USA 2026 Olympic Hockey Predictions

Handicapping Factors to Consider

Strengths: Unmatched offensive firepower (multiple 40+ goal scorers), chemistry from recent events like the 4 Nations Face-Off (where the U.S. reached the final but lost to Canada), and versatility in all situations. The team has the talent to dominate games and generate high-event hockey.

Challenges: Chemistry-building time is limited (no long camp), and facing top teams like loaded Canada, Sweden, and Finland will test depth and special teams. Goaltending rotation could be key in a short tournament.

Gold-medal chances: High—graded B+ or better by experts, with many viewing the U.S. as co-favorites alongside Canada. The U.S. hasn't won men's Olympic hockey gold since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," but this roster gives them their best shot in decades.

Team USA Olympic Hockey Prime Best Bet: Team USA to Win Gold Medal

2026 Olympic Hockey Schedule

Games stream on Peacock in the U.S., with some on USA Network. Top group finishers advance directly to quarterfinals (Feb. 17-18 onward), with playoffs continuing toward the gold-medal game on Feb. 22.