Olympics · 10 hours ago

Winter Olympics 2026: Predicting the Full Men’s Hockey Bracket

Grant White

Host · Writer

Winter Olympics 2026: Men's Ice Hockey Odds
There are 12 countries in three groups, but in the end, there can be only one Gold Medal winner in Milan. Based on the current betting market for the 2026 Winter Olympics Men's Ice Hockey tournament, here are the updated gold medal winner odds as of February 9, 2026:

Men's Ice Hockey Gold Medal Odds
- Canada: +130
- USA: +190
- Sweden: +470
- Finland: +1100
- Czechia: +2200
- Switzerland: +3300
- Slovakia: +10000
- Germany: +12500
- Latvia: +30000
- Denmark: +100000
- Italy: +100000
- France: +100000
Winter Olympics 2026: Men's Ice Hockey Groups
Men's Ice Hockey begins on Wednesday, February 11, with Slovakia playing Sweden and Germany facing Latvia at 6:10 AM ET. The home country, Italy, hosts Finland at 10:40 AM ET, followed by the 2026 debut of Team USA, with Denmark looking to knock off the United States at 3:10 PM ET. Continue for our predictions for every round, from group play to the gold medal game.

Men's Ice Hockey Groups

Group A
- Canada (CAN)
- Czechia (CZE)
- Switzerland (SUI)
- France (FRA)
Group B
- Finland (FIN)
- Sweden (SWE)
- Slovakia (SVK)
- Italy (ITA)
Group C
- United States (USA)
- Germany (GER)
- Latvia (LAT)
- Denmark (DEN)
Group A - Canada
Odds to Win Gold: +130

The NHL is once again sending the best players in the world to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games. Predictably, this has vaulted Canada to the top of the Gold Medal futures board. Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby lead the charge for a Canadian team that is sure to finish atop Group A.

Predicted Finish: 1st Group A
Group A - Czechia
Odds to Win Gold: +2200

Czechia is a hockey heavyweight, but it lacks the same punch as some of the other contenders. While they're poised for a strong group showing, they will need to be near perfect in the elimination round to take home a medal.

Predicted Finish: 2nd Group A
Group A - Switzerland
Odds to Win Gold: +3300

Over the past decade, we've seen Switzerland climb the hockey rankings. They aren't on the same level as the ice hockey titans, but they can play a tactically perfect brand of hockey. If they maintain that reputation in Milan, they could sneak into the quarterfinals.

Predicted Finish: 3rd Group A
Group A - France
Odds to Win Gold: +100000

France's gold medal is just making it to the Olympics. Often a castaway in international tournaments, the French are scarcely competitive when it comes to the upper level. Keeping things close and tallying a few goals is the best they can hope for.

Predicted Finish: 4th Group A
Group B - Sweden
Odds to Win Gold: +470

It's been a minute since Sweden last captured gold at the Olympics, but 2026 could be the end of a 20-year cold spell. Coincidentally, Italy is where they last won gold, and we wouldn't be shocked to see the Tres Kron topple the world again in Milan. Anything other than first in Group B would be a disappointment.

Predicted Finish: 1st Group B
Group B - Finland
Odds to Win Gold: +1100

The defending gold medalists enter the 2026 Olympics with a target on their backs. Finland triumphed in Beijing in 2022 and is priced as a top contender again in Italy. A spot in the knock-out round is virtually guaranteed, but they can't look past many teams in the tournament.

Predicted Finish: 1st Group B
Group B - Slovakia
Odds to Win Gold: +1000

Slovakia is consistently knocking at the door but is never let into the party. The Slovaks have their work cut out for them in Group B, but they are still ahead of some of the other teams in this year's tournament. If they get a fortunate draw, they might stun a middle-of-the-road team. Still, any quarterfinal game would be considered a success.

Predicted Finish: 3rd Group B
Group B - Italy
Odds to Win Gold: +25000

The only time Italy is invited to the hockey tournament is when it hosts it. Any goal would be cause for celebration, and any win would result in riots in the streets.

Predicted Finish: 4th Group B
Group C - USA
Odds to Win Gold: +190

Team USA has all the makings of a championship roster. They blend skill with experience, structure, and elite goaltending. If Connor Hellebuyck catches fire, there will be no denying the Americans the gold medal in Milan.

Predicted Finish: 1st Group C
Group C - Germany
Odds to Win Gold: +12500

A handful of NHLers will elevate Germany at the 2026 Olympics. Led by Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stutzle, the Germans will be ready to fire at will against their Group C competition. They don't possess the firepower to out-gun the USA, but we wouldn't be shocked if they had one of the better preliminary rounds.

Predicted Finish: 2nd Group C
Group C - Latvia
Odds to Win Gold: +30000

No one is taking Latvia seriously as a gold medal contender, but this also isn't a team that you can take lightly. Goaltending will be a strength, and if Elvis Merzlikins or Arturs Silovs steal a game or two, this team could go on a deeper-than-expected run.

Predicted Finish: 3rd Group C
Group D - Denmark
Odds to Win Gold: +100000

Like some of the other lesser-known competitors, Denmark features a handful of NHLers on their 2026 Olympic roster. But while other countries have game-changers on their roster, the Danes have role players. Expect a competitive group that is bested by superior competition.

Predicted Finish: 4th Group C
Knock-Out Round Format
The top four teams from the preliminary round all earn an automatic berth to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams compete for the four other spots. While each Group winner will presumptively earn a bye, the best remaining team will join them. Higher position in group play, higher number of points, and better goal differential are the first three tie-breakers. Based on those criteria, we predict Team USA enters the knock-out round as the top-seeded team.
- 1st - Team USA
- 2nd - Canada
- 3rd - Sweden
- 4th - Germany
- 5th - Czechia
- 6th - Finland
- 7th - Slovakia
- 8th - Latvia
- 9th - Switzerland
- 10th - Denmark
- 11th - France
- 12th - I
First-Round Playoff Matchups
Based on that seeding, there will be four winner-take-all matchups, as follows:

#5 Czechia vs #12 Italy

There is no #12 trend in Olympic hockey. Arrivederci, Italy.

Czechia advances.

#6 Finland vs #11 France

Finland could make an earlier-than-expected departure, but not against the French.

Finland advances.

#7 Slovakia vs #10 Denmark

Slovakia can out-skill the Danes on any day of the week. Slovaks punch their way to the quarters.

Slovakia advances.

#8 Latvia vs #9 Switzerland

If this matchup goes down as anticipated, low-key, it could be one of the most intense games of the tournament—Switzerland in OT.

Switzerland advances.
Quarterfinal Matchups
It's worth noting that teams will be re-seeded after this round, so if there are any unexpected upsets in the first round, some teams could have an automatic berth to the semifinals.

#1 Team USA vs #9 Switzerland.

This game will be uncomfortable for the Americans. Switzerland plays a wet blanket game, and Team USA might not be able to shake free. Expect a thrilling overtime win from the hefty favorites.

Team USA advances.

#2 Canada vs #7 Slovakia

Slovakia will be tempted to play a run-and-gun game versus Canada, and that will ultimately be its undoing. Canada's offense is too much to handle.

Canada advances.

#3 Sweden vs #6 Finland

A rematch of the Scandinavian rivalry, we predict Finland avenges its round robin loss and knocks off Sweden in the quarters.

Finland advances.

#4 Germany vs #5 Czechia

Surely, Czechia would enter this matchup as the short favorite against Germany. But we suspect the Germans are too much for their Eastern European counterparts to handle.

Germany advances.
Semifinal Matchups
As noted, the top-ranked team will get the lowest remaining seed in the semifinals. With that, Team USA will have its work cut out against a feisty Finnish side. Likewise, Canada will need to keep the Germans at bay in the other showdown.

#1 Team USA vs #6 Finland

Finland will do its best to counter the Americans' offensive. In doing so, it will abandon any semblance of goal scoring and beat itself.

Team USA advances.

#2 Canada vs #4 Germany

The Germans will throw everything they can at Canada, but it will all be for naught. The Canadians overwhelm Germany in Italy.

Canada advances.
Bronze Medal Game
#4 Germany vs #6 Finland

Germany making it to a medal game will be cause for celebration. Unfortunately, the festivities run out in the bronze medal game. Finland has more depth and a tactical advantage that it can wield to secure its fourth medal in five Winter Olympic Games.

Finland wins bronze.
Gold Medal Game
#1 Team USA vs #2 Canada

This is the dream matchup everyone is hoping for in the gold medal game, and it is the singular reason why NHL players wanted to return. Showcasing hockey's most heated rivalry on the grandest stage of them all will capture the world's attention. If last year's 4 Nations Face-Off was any indication, this will be another all-time classic. This Canadian crew will be too much to handle, reclaiming its title as hockey's superpower.

Canada wins gold.
Winter Olympics 2026: Men's Ice Hockey Odds
There are 12 countries in three groups, but in the end, there can be only one Gold Medal winner in Milan. Based on the current betting market for the 2026 Winter Olympics Men's Ice Hockey tournament, here are the updated gold medal winner odds as of February 9, 2026:

Men's Ice Hockey Gold Medal Odds
- Canada: +130
- USA: +190
- Sweden: +470
- Finland: +1100
- Czechia: +2200
- Switzerland: +3300
- Slovakia: +10000
- Germany: +12500
- Latvia: +30000
- Denmark: +100000
- Italy: +100000
- France: +100000
Winter Olympics 2026: Men's Ice Hockey Groups
Men's Ice Hockey begins on Wednesday, February 11, with Slovakia playing Sweden and Germany facing Latvia at 6:10 AM ET. The home country, Italy, hosts Finland at 10:40 AM ET, followed by the 2026 debut of Team USA, with Denmark looking to knock off the United States at 3:10 PM ET. Continue for our predictions for every round, from group play to the gold medal game.

Men's Ice Hockey Groups

Group A
- Canada (CAN)
- Czechia (CZE)
- Switzerland (SUI)
- France (FRA)
Group B
- Finland (FIN)
- Sweden (SWE)
- Slovakia (SVK)
- Italy (ITA)
Group C
- United States (USA)
- Germany (GER)
- Latvia (LAT)
- Denmark (DEN)