The wait is finally over, as NHL players are set to return to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2014, when Canada took gold in Sochi. The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan will feature a best-on-best tournament involving 12 of the world's top hockey nations, with the United States facing off against Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, and France in Group A.
The level of play is expected to be phenomenally intense as NHL players face off under International Ice Hockey Federation rules. Gone are the days of the 4 Nations Face-Off, a smaller tournament that featured just four nations and was played under NHL rules. This time around, the Olympics will follow the traditional format, with automatic game misconducts for five-minute majors.
The United States team, led by brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, boasts an impressive roster featuring young defensemen Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson, as well as forwards Clayton Keller and Tage Thompson. The squad also includes goalie Jeremy Swayman and defensemen Zach Werenski and Jackson LaCombe.
Canada's team is stacked with talent, including Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, while Czechia boasts David Pastrnak, Martin Necas, and Tomas Hertl. Team Finland features Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, and Miro Heiskanen, while Germany has Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle, and Moritz Seider.
As for Sweden's chances, they have arguably the strongest trio of goalies, with Filip Gustavsson, Jesper Wallstedt, and Jacob Markstrom between the pipes. Czechia's Lukas Dostal and Latvia's Arturs Silovs are also expected to make waves in net.
The gold-medal game is always a closely watched event, but with single-game playoff eliminations beginning soon, anything can happen. Canada has taken gold twice before, in Salt Lake City in 2002 and Vancouver in 2010, but Sweden's depth of talent could give them a shot at taking it all the way.
For those looking to watch the games, NBC will be the flagship broadcaster partner for all Olympic events in the US, with television coverage spread across NBC, CNBC, and USA Network. Livestreams will also be available on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Sports app.
The puck drops on February 11, and fans can catch the action from Milan-Cortina for themselves by tuning in to the various broadcasts and streaming options. With a stacked roster of NHL talent, this 2026 Winter Olympics is shaping up to be one for the ages.
The level of play is expected to be phenomenally intense as NHL players face off under International Ice Hockey Federation rules. Gone are the days of the 4 Nations Face-Off, a smaller tournament that featured just four nations and was played under NHL rules. This time around, the Olympics will follow the traditional format, with automatic game misconducts for five-minute majors.
The United States team, led by brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, boasts an impressive roster featuring young defensemen Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson, as well as forwards Clayton Keller and Tage Thompson. The squad also includes goalie Jeremy Swayman and defensemen Zach Werenski and Jackson LaCombe.
Canada's team is stacked with talent, including Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, while Czechia boasts David Pastrnak, Martin Necas, and Tomas Hertl. Team Finland features Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, and Miro Heiskanen, while Germany has Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle, and Moritz Seider.
As for Sweden's chances, they have arguably the strongest trio of goalies, with Filip Gustavsson, Jesper Wallstedt, and Jacob Markstrom between the pipes. Czechia's Lukas Dostal and Latvia's Arturs Silovs are also expected to make waves in net.
The gold-medal game is always a closely watched event, but with single-game playoff eliminations beginning soon, anything can happen. Canada has taken gold twice before, in Salt Lake City in 2002 and Vancouver in 2010, but Sweden's depth of talent could give them a shot at taking it all the way.
For those looking to watch the games, NBC will be the flagship broadcaster partner for all Olympic events in the US, with television coverage spread across NBC, CNBC, and USA Network. Livestreams will also be available on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Sports app.
The puck drops on February 11, and fans can catch the action from Milan-Cortina for themselves by tuning in to the various broadcasts and streaming options. With a stacked roster of NHL talent, this 2026 Winter Olympics is shaping up to be one for the ages.
️! The US team looks so strong with that talented squad they've got, and I'm loving the mix of veterans like Tkachuk brothers and youngbloods like Brock Faber 
. Canada's got their usual beast mode going on with McDavid and MacKinnon, but Sweden's goalie trio is giving me life 
! Anyone else excited for this tournament? 
I'm hyped for the 2026 Winter Olympics! The NHL players returning to the ice is gonna make it so much more intense 
. Canada's squad looks 
with McDavid and MacKinnon, but Sweden's depth of goalies could be a game-changer 
. And with NBC covering everything, I'm sure we'll see some crazy goals and highlights! 
The question is, will the US team finally bring home that gold or will Canada's dominance continue? 
Either way, it's gonna be an epic tournament! 
Bring on February 11th and let the puck drop! 
And Germany's Leon Draisaitl is gonna bring the noise 
! It's gonna be crazy to watch, especially with those single-game playoff eliminations. I'm predicting Sweden might give Canada a run for their money tho... maybe we'll see some surprises come February 11th 
.
. The US team looks super solid, especially with the Tkachuk brothers leading the charge 
. The American team looks fire with that roster, but Canada's squad is looking pretty fierce too