2026 Winter Olympics: U.S. Team Schedule & Key Matchups
- The 2026 winter Olympics will mark the return of NHL players to the international stage for the first time in 12 years.
- However, the 2026 field will not include Russia, as the country remains banned from international competition following its invasion of Ukraine.
- In the 2022 Winter Olympics, Finland defeated Russia for the gold medal, while Slovakia took home the bronze after defeating Sweden.
Get ready for the 2026 Winter Olympics! NHL players are returning after a 12-year absence, and the U.S. women’s hockey team has a crucial schedule to navigate. The games, to be held in Italy, promise intense competition, especially with Russia banned. Mark your calendars for a thrilling face-off between the United States and Canada, echoing the memorable 2022 gold medal game where canada triumphed.Explore the full team schedule, key matchups, and the history of dominance via News Directory 3. We break down the path to gold, including the quarterfinals slated for February 13th and the gold medal game on February 19th.Discover what’s next …
NHL Players to Return to Winter Olympics in 2026
The 2026 winter Olympics will mark the return of NHL players to the international stage for the first time in 12 years. The last time NHL stars competed in the Olympics was at the 2014 Sochi Games in Russia.
However, the 2026 field will not include Russia, as the country remains banned from international competition following its invasion of Ukraine.
In the 2022 Winter Olympics, Finland defeated Russia for the gold medal, while Slovakia took home the bronze after defeating Sweden. Both the United States and Canada where eliminated in the quarterfinals.
United States Women’s Hockey Schedule
- Feb. 5: Czech Republic at United states
- Feb. 7: Finland at United States
- Feb.9: United States at Switzerland
- Feb. 10: United States at canada
Women’s group play begins Feb. 5, the day before the opening ceremonies, and concludes Feb. 10. Quarterfinals are set to begin on Feb. 13, with the gold medal game scheduled for Feb. 19.
A highly anticipated matchup will be when the United States faces Canada on Feb.10. The United States and Canada faced off in the gold medal game at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
During the 2022 tournament, Canada dominated, outscoring sweden and switzerland 21-3 en route to the gold medal game. The United States secured their spot by defeating the Czech Republic and Finland. Ultimately, Canada prevailed with a 3-2 victory over the Americans, with Amanda Kessel scoring the decisive goal with just seconds remaining in the third period.
Canada has been a dominant force in women’s hockey, capturing gold in five of the last six Winter Olympics since 2002. The United States broke that streak at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, defeating Canada in the gold medal game.