1998 – Women’s ice hockey makes its Olympic debut in Nagano, launching a rivalry that will produce seven gold‑medal matchups between the United States and Canada over the next three decades [11].

2014 – The Vancouver Games mark the last Winter Olympics to feature active NHL players until the sport’s return in 2026, ending a 12‑year Olympic absence for the league’s stars [6].

2022 – Canada defeats the United States 3‑2 in the women’s gold‑medal game, the most recent Olympic final before the 2026 showdown [11].

Feb 5, 2026 – A norovirus outbreak forces the postponement of Finland’s women’s opening game against Canada to Feb 12; 13 Finnish players enter quarantine, and coach Tero Lehterä refuses to risk ill athletes, while Hockey Canada’s GM Gina Kingsbury sends “Get Well” wishes [4].

Feb 16, 2026 – The United States and Canada prepare for their seventh Olympic women’s gold‑medal clash since 1998; the U.S. enters unbeaten (6‑0), outscoring opponents 31‑1 and holding a 331‑minute shutout streak, while captains Hilary Knight and Marie‑Philip Poulin may be playing their final Games [11].

Feb 17, 2026 – Quarterfinal matchups are announced: Canada faces Czechia, the United States meets Sweden, Finland takes on Switzerland, and Slovakia battles Germany in the knockout round [3].

Feb 18, 2026 – The U.S. men’s team heads into a quarterfinal versus Sweden at 3:10 p.m. ET, marking the first Olympic tournament with NHL players in 12 years; pre‑round victories over Latvia, Denmark and Germany secure Connor Hellebuyck as starter [6][9].

Feb 18, 2026 – Hilary Knight says she hopes to cap her career with a gold‑medal win over Canada, noting the U.S. has outscored its six opponents 31‑1 and not allowed a goal since the opening 5‑1 win over Czechia [2].

Feb 18, 2026 – Knight adds, “There’s really nothing like it when you throw on the USA jersey…representing your country on the world stage…is just so special, so magical,” and calls the USA‑Canada rivalry “one of the most beautiful rivalries in sport,” with the gold‑medal game set for Feb 19 [10].

Feb 18, 2026 – The United States and Canada win their men’s quarterfinals in overtime (U.S. 2‑1 over Sweden on Quinn Hughes’ goal; Canada 4‑3 over Czechia on Mitch Marner’s marker), setting up a potential gold‑medal clash on Friday and prompting player quotes such as Dylan Larkin’s “as nervous as I’ve been ever in a hockey game” and Quinn Hughes’ “just relief” [1].

Feb 19, 2026 – The U.S. women’s team advances to the gold‑medal game against Canada at 10:10 a.m. PT, having posted five consecutive shutouts and with Seattle Torrent players contributing 11 of the team’s 31 goals [7].

Feb 19, 2026 – New overtime and shootout formats take effect: round‑robin games use a 5‑minute 3‑on‑3 OT followed by a five‑shooter shootout, while knockout rounds feature a 10‑minute 3‑on‑3 OT before a shootout; coach Mike Sullivan notes the staff “addressed overtime at the start of this tournament” via video preparation [5][8].

Feb 19, 2026 – The men’s semifinals are scheduled for Friday, with the United States meeting Slovakia and Canada facing Finland, and the gold‑medal final slated for Sunday, preserving the possibility of a historic U.S.–Canada showdown for both men’s and women’s titles [1].