For the first time since the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, top NHL players will compete for medals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games.
The first men's Olympic ice hockey game will be played in just over a month - Feb. 11 when Slovakia and Finland square off.
12 teams are separated into three groups:
Group A:
Canada
Switzerland
Czech Republic
France
Group B:
Finland
Sweden
Slovakia
Italy
Group C:
United States
Germany
Latvia
Denmark
Each team plays a three-game round robin within their group to determine who advances to the knockout round starting with the quarterfinals.
Let's take a look at who is favored to take home the Gold Medal for their respective country, with odds provided by bet365:
Men's 2026 Ice Hockey Winter Olympics - Gold Medal Winner
Canada | +140 |
USA | +200 |
Sweden | +500 |
Finland | +800 |
Czechia | +1200 |
Switzerland | +1800 |
Germany | +6600 |
Slovakia | +8000 |
Latvia | +20000 |
Denmark | +20000 |
France | +50000 |
Italy | +50000 |
Featuring legends such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, and young talent like Macklin Celebrini on their top two lines, Canada (+140) is the favorite to win it all.
The Avalanche duo of Cale Makar and Devon Toews lead the defenseman, while Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, and Logan Thompson will be in goal.
The USA (+200) will have a serious chance to win Gold in this event. The team is stacked with players like Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes, Auston Matthews, and the Tkachuk brothers, while last season's Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck will be in the net.
There is plenty to like on the defensemen side as well - Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy lead the group.
Sweden (+500), Finland (+800), and Czechia (+1200) round out the top-five with loads of talent on each team as well.
Leo Carlsson, Filip Forsberg, Joel Eriksson Ek, Gabriel Landeskog and plenty of star defenseman are featured on Sweden, while Finland will have all the great players who's last name ends in "nen."
David Pastrnak and Martin Necas will have their work cut out for them to make a run for Czechia.
Further back is Switzerland (+1800), the final team with odds shorter than +6500, with players such as Kevin Fiala, Roman Jose, Pius Suter, and Akira Schmid.
Germany (+6600), Slovakia (+8000), Latvia and Denmark (+20000), France (+50000), and Italy (+50000) round out all the remaining teams.
Leon Draisaitl is Germany's superstar, Erik Cernak and Juraj Slafkovsky are playing for Slovakia, while Nikolaj Ehlers and Frederik Andersen are on Denmark.
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Odds in this article were correct at time of writing and are subject to change.
