U.S. and Canada Set for NHL‑Star Gold Medal Clash as Crosby Misses Final
Updated (2 articles)
Gold‑Medal Game Scheduled for Sunday Afternoon in Milan‑Cortina The men’s ice‑hockey final will be played on Sunday, 2 p.m. local time (8:10 a.m. ET, 5:10 a.m. PT) in Milan‑Cortina, the last event before the closing ceremony [1][2]. NBC will televise the contest in the United States with Kenny Albert, Ed Olczyk and Brian Boucher, while CBC handles Canadian coverage [1][2]. The matchup pits the United States against Canada for the Olympic gold medal.
Both Teams Enter Final Unbeaten After NHL’s Return After a twelve‑year Olympic hiatus for NHL players, the league’s top talent returned for the 2026 Games, and both squads arrived at the final without a loss [1][2]. The United States and Canada are the tournament’s only undefeated teams, each having won all prior games [1][2]. Their unbeaten runs set the stage for a high‑stakes showdown between the two North American powerhouses.
Canada’s Captain Sidney Crosby Out, McDavid Leads Sidney Crosby suffered a right‑knee injury in the quarter‑final and missed the semifinal, leaving Canada without its captain for the gold‑medal game [1][2]. Connor McDavid assumed the “C” and already holds the Olympic single‑tournament point record for an NHL player, with one article noting a 13‑point total in five games [1] and the other emphasizing the record‑breaking nature of his performance [2]. McDavid’s leadership and scoring prowess are central to Canada’s title hopes.
U.S. Roster Features Prominent Brother Duos and Betting Odds The American lineup includes the Tkachuk brothers (Brady, Matthew) and the Hughes brothers (Quinn, Jack), with the Hughes pair described as the tournament’s top U.S. performers [1][2]. Betting markets list Canada as a 1½‑goal favorite, reflecting its historical dominance with nine Olympic titles, while the United States last won gold in 1980 and 1960 [1][2]. The brother duos add a familial storyline to an already intense rivalry.
Sources
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King5: U.S. and Canada set to battle for men’s hockey gold at Milan‑Cortina – Highlights the NHL’s 12‑year return, McDavid’s 13‑point record, and the brother duos on the U.S. roster, emphasizing betting odds and Crosby’s injury .
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King5: U.S. and Canada set to battle for men’s hockey gold at Milan‑Cortina 2026 – Focuses on the single‑tournament point record for an NHL player, both teams entering unbeaten, and the historical context of Canada’s dominance, while also noting the same injury and roster details .
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Timeline
1960 – The United States captures its first men’s Olympic hockey gold, establishing an early legacy that would later include the famed “Miracle on Ice.” [1]
1980 – The U.S. wins its second gold medal in men’s hockey, defeating the Soviet Union in a historic upset that remains a touchstone of Olympic sport. [1]
2010 – The United States reaches the men’s hockey final for the first time since 1980, ultimately finishing with a silver medal after a loss to Canada. [1]
2014 – 2026 – The NHL remains absent from the Winter Games for a 12‑year hiatus, marking the longest gap since professional players first competed in 1998; the 2026 Milan‑Cortina Olympics signal the league’s return. [1]
Feb 22, 2026 – The men’s hockey gold‑medal game pits the United States against Canada in Milan‑Cortina, the final competition before the closing ceremony, with the puck dropping at 2:10 p.m. local time (8:10 a.m. ET, 5:10 a.m. PT). [1]
Feb 22, 2026 – Canada enters the final as a 1½‑goal favorite on BetMGM, maintaining its historic edge and pursuing its ninth Olympic men’s title, the most of any nation. [1]
Feb 22, 2026 – The U.S. roster features the Tkachuk brothers (Brady, Matthew) and the Hughes brothers (Quinn, Jack), with the Hughes duo highlighted as the tournament’s top American performers. [1]
Feb 22, 2026 – Captain Sidney Crosby sits out after a right‑knee injury, prompting Connor McDavid to wear the “C” and extend his Olympic record to 13 points in five games, the most ever by an NHL player in a single tournament. [1]
Feb 22, 2026 – NBC (U.S.) and CBC (Canada) broadcast the gold‑medal showdown, with commentary teams led by Kenny Albert, Ed Olczyk, Brian Boucher (NBC) and CBC’s own analysts. [1]