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The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games are underway, with the men’s hockey tournament now advancing to the semifinals. This is the first Olympics to feature NHL players since Sochi in 2014, and the competition will culminate in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Preview of Friday’s matchups:
- (1) Canada vs. (4) Finland at 10:40 a.m. ET (television options: Peacock, USA Network, ICI Tele, CBC Gem, RDS2, CBC).
- (2) United States vs. (3) Slovakia at 3:10 p.m. ET (television options: NBC, Peacock, ICI Tele, CBC Gem, RDS2).
How the teams reached the semifinals
- Canada (3-1-0-0, top of Group A): Beat Czechia 5-0, beat Switzerland 5-1, beat France 10-2, then edged Czechia 4-3 in overtime.
- Finland (2-1-1-0, second in Group B): Lost to Slovakia 4-1, beat Sweden 4-1, routed Italy 11-0, then defeated Switzerland 3-2 in overtime.
Players to watch
- Canada: Macklin Celebrini leads the tournament with five goals after producing a goal and two assists against Czechia. At 19 years old, he’s already the fourth NHL-plist player to score in four consecutive Olympic Games with NHL involvement (joining Marian Hossa, Teemu Selanne, and Mats Sundin). Celebrini has 81 points (28 goals, 53 assists) in 55 games for the San Jose Sharks this season.
- Finland: Juuse Saros owns a 1.49 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage, stopping 91 of 97 shots this tournament. For the season, he’s 21-17-5 in 44 games for the Nashville Predators, with a 3.20 GAA and a .892 save percentage.
Predicted keys to victory
- Canada: A fast start from its star-studded lineup could demoralize Finland, especially after Finland’s dramatic 3-2 overtime win over Switzerland. If Jordan Binnington continues delivering clutch saves—like his breakaway stop on Czechia’s Martin Nečas in a tied game late in the third—Canada will be tough to beat.
- Finland: If Saros maintains his strong play and Finland executes a full, urgent effort from the opening faceoff, they can challenge Canada by pressing offensively and tightening defence late in the game.
Statlines to watch
- Canada: The two top midrange goal scorers in the NHL this season hail from Canada—Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado) tops the list with 16, while Celebrini sits second with 15. MacKinnon also leads in midrange shots on goal (110), with Celebrini close behind (101).
Bottom line
- Canada brings overwhelming offensive depth, and Binnington’s Olympic form has quieted pre-tournament doubts about its goalie corps. Still, Finland isn’t out of it. They’ll need more production from their stars and a peak performance from Saros to topple the favorites and advance to the final.
(2) United States vs. Slovakia: how both teams got here, key players, and outlook
- United States (3-1-0-0, Group C winner): Defeated Latvia 5-1, Denmark 6-3, Germany 5-1, and Sweden 2-1 in overtime.
- Slovakia (3-0-1-0, Group B winner): Beat Finland 4-1, beat Italy 3-2, lost to Sweden 5-3, then defeated Germany 6-2.
Players to watch
- United States: Quinn Hughes scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Sweden and has six points in four games (one goal, five assists). His stretch of assists is the longest by an American defenseman at an Olympics with NHL players, and he’s tallied 57 points (five goals, 52 assists) in 52 NHL games this season.
- Slovakia: Juraj Slafkovský has seven Olympic points (three goals, four assists) through four games, helping Slovakia lead Group B. The 21-year-old forward, drafted No. 1 by Montreal in 2022, has 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 57 games this season.
Predicted keys to victory
- United States: If Connor Hellebuyck repeats his strong performance from the Sweden game, the U.S. offense should overwhelm Slovakia, though Slovakia’s relentless pressure can create mistakes. The defense will need to stay disciplined to contain Slafkovský.
- Slovakia: They must remain a tight, team-oriented squad. While Slafkovský is the star, Slovakia’s 12 players with at least one point against Germany show depth. Maintaining defensive pressure could frustrate the U.S. and force turnovers.
Edge stats to watch
- Hughes ranks among the league’s top defensemen in skating distance (second only to Connor McDavid in total distance this season) and is high in midrange shot attempts. He’s also among the fastest in 20-plus mph bursts.
Outlook
- The United States survived a tight game against Sweden and should expect a battle against a Slovakia squad that thrives on pressure. The U.S. offense appears deeper, and Hellebuyck’s stellar goaltending gives them an edge to advance to the gold medal game.
Controversial takeaway to spark discussion
- Some analysts argue that rewarding NHL participation in the Olympics shifts focus away from amateur or lower-tier players who also deserve a chance to shine, potentially widening the gap between hockey’s elite and its broader base. Do you think the NHL-influence enhances or undermines the Olympic experience? Share your stance in the comments.
