The United States and Canada are set to face off in the men’s ice hockey final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, renewing one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries in a gold-medal showdown on 22 February.
The matchup marks the return of NHL players to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, setting up a best-on-best clash featuring many of the game’s biggest stars.
A key storyline surrounds Canadian captain Sidney Crosby, whose availability remains uncertain after missing the semi-final due to injury. In his absence, Connor McDavid has stepped into a leadership role and enters the final with a record-breaking 13 tournament points.
The United States will counter with its own standout performers, including defenceman Quinn Hughes, who has recorded a point in every Olympic game so far and played a pivotal role in the team’s run to the final.
Historically, Canada holds the edge in Olympic meetings and is chasing a 10th men’s hockey gold, while the United States is aiming for its first title since the iconic 1980 victory. With generational stars on both sides, the final is widely expected to be one of the most anticipated clashes of the Games.
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