The United States Men's Hockey Team begins its pursuit of a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics when they take on Latvia on Thursday. The puck will be dropped between the two countries at 3:10 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock) at Milano Santagiulia Ice Arena in Milan, Italy.
Below is our Latvia vs. United States prediction and picks for Thursday’s Olympic hockey matchup. Make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and over/unders.
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Latvia vs. United States Prediction, Picks for 2026 Olympic Hockey
This marks the first time since 2014 that NHL players have competed in the Olympics. Issues with travel costs and the COVID-19 pandemic led to NHL players missing the last two Olympics.
The United States is seeking its first gold medal since 1980, when the Americans completed the Miracle on Ice triumph at Lake Placid. The Americans last landed on the podium at the 2010 Winter Games, earning a silver medal.
The Americans had an impressive performance at the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off last February and were just one goal away from defeating Canada in the tournament final. It was the right combination of speed, grit, and strong goaltending that allowed the United States to have a sensational tournament performance, and it’ll be a very similar group in Milan.
Meanwhile, Latvia certainly doesn’t have the NHL firepower that many of the top countries do in this tournament. Still, the Latvians have had recent success at the international level, earning a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championship. The knock on Latvia is that they have just five NHL players on its roster, led by Tampa Bay Lightning C Zemgus Girgensons and Vancouver Canucks C Teddy Blueger.
Latvia vs. United States Over/Under, Spread
The United States enters Thursday’s game as 2.5-goal favorites, returning a 1.04x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
Latvia are heavy underdogs with a 9.09x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: United States -2.5
- Over/Under: 6.5
- Game Winner Payout: Latvia 9.09x | United States 1.04x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Latvia vs. United States Prediction on Spread
Here are some facts and figures to help you make your Latvia vs. United States prediction on Thursday, February 12.
- United States G Connor Hellebuyck has tallied a 1-4-0 record, a 3.60 goals-against-average, and a .879 save percentage across his last five starts. The reigning Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) and Vezina Trophy (top goaltender) winner also has just a 13-16-7 record, a 2.79 GAA, and a .900 save % this season.
- Hellebuyck registered 1.67 GAA and a .932 save % in three starts during the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. He allowed one goal apiece in two of those starts.
- United States D Zach Werenski led the 4 Nations Face-Off in points (6) with 6 assists. Werenski outperformed the likes of Connor McDavid (5), Sidney Crosby (5), Nathan MacKinnon (4), and Jake Guentzel (4) throughout the eight-day tournament.
- The Americans averaged 3.0 goals per game during their four games in the 4 Nations Face-Off. In fact, the United States scored nine goals in its opening two games, including a 3-1 win vs. Canada early in the tournament.
- During the 2022 Olympics, Latvia produced a 0-3 record and had a -6 goal differential in those three losses. The Latvians had a solid showing to begin the tournament in a 3-2 loss vs. Sweden, but were outscored 8-3 as they were eliminated in the preliminary round.
- Latvia was outscored 15-2 at the 2025 IIHF World Championship and lost two games by at least six goals.
Latvia vs. United States Picks for PrizePicks Today: Thursday, February 12
Here are the top Latvia vs. United States picks to target for Thursday, February 12, on PrizePicks. Player stat projections via PrizePicks are headlined by United States RW Matt Boldy and
United States RW Matt Boldy vs. Latvia Projection: 0.5 Goals
- During the regular season, Boldy is tied for third in the NHL in goals (32).
- The Wild winger has registered four goals in his last four games.
- Boldy did tally a goal when he faced projected Latvian starting G Arturs Silovs on Nov. 21.
- The American RW averages 0.59 goals per contest in 54 games this season.
United States RW Tage Thompson vs. Latvia Projection: 0.5 Goals
- The Sabres' RW is tied for fourth in the NHL in goals (30) during the regular season.
- Thompson has tallied 2 goals across his last three games prior to the Olympic break.
- The 2016 first-round pick scored a power-play goal when he faced potential Latvian starting G Arturs Silovs on Feb. 5.
- Thompson averages 0.53 goals per game in 57 contests this season.
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Make Latvia vs. United States Olympic Picks on PrizePicks
Latvia vs. United States picks are one of several areas in which hockey fans can get involved in the Olympic action on Thursday.
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued Olympic predictions, picks, and news.
