For the first time since 2014, NHL players will represent their home countries at the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Canada and the United States are among the favorites to win the gold medal in the Olympic men’s hockey tournament, which begins on Wednesday.
Below, we’ll dive into men’s hockey gold medal winner picks for the 2026 Olympics. Gold medal winner payouts are via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can also make predictions on game winners, spreads, over/unders, and futures — now available in 34 states.
{{core_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Projecting the Olympic Men’s Hockey Gold Medal Favorites
Here's who could skate to the top of the podium.
Team Canada Gold Medal Payout: 1.69x No | 2.08x Yes
Roster
Forwards: Sam Bennett (Panthers), Macklin Celebrini (Sharks), Sidney Crosby (Penguins), Brandon Hagel (Lightning), Bo Horvat (Islanders), Seth Jarvis (Hurricanes), Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche), Brad Marchand (Panthers), Mitch Marner (Golden Knights), Connor McDavid (Oilers), Sam Reinhart (Panthers), Mark Stone (Golden Knights), Nick Suzuki (Canadiens), & Tom Wilson (Capitals)
Defensemen: Drew Doughty (Kings), Thomas Harley (Stars), Cale Makar (Avalanche), Josh Morrissey (Jets), Colton Parayko (Blues), Travis Sanheim (Flyers), Shea Theodore (Golden Knights), & Devon Toews (Avalanche)
Goaltenders: Jordan Binnington (Blues), Darcy Kuemper (Kings), & Logan Thompson (Capitals)
Team Canada Olympic Hockey Breakdown
It should come as no surprise that Canada is the favorite to win the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics. After all, the Canadians won the inaugural 4 Nations-Faceoff last February, defeating the United States in an overtime thriller in the tournament final.
Canada last won a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. In fact, the Canadians have earned a gold medal in three of the last four Winter Games in which NHL players have competed.
Canada’s squad is similar to the one that was victorious in the 4 Nations Face-Off. It’s a group that has no shortage of offensive firepower, featuring some of the sport’s top stars such as Edmonton Oilers C Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche C Nathan MacKinnon, and Pittsburgh Penguins C Sidney Crosby.
On top of their incredible goal-scoring prowess, all three possess elite playmaking skills that could really give the opposition fits throughout the tournament. This could be the final Olympics for Crosby, who will serve as the captain for Team Canada.
The biggest question mark for Team Canada likely resides in the crease. Unlike the United States with G Connor Hellebuyck, the Canadians may not have a stud netminder within their trio of Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, and Logan Thompson.
Canada did hitch their wagon to Binnington in the 4 Nations Face-Off, and he produced a solid showing. If Binnington can give the Canadians a similar performance this time around, a gold medal is well within reach.
Team U.S.A. Gold Medal Payout: 1.42x No | 2.63x Yes
Roster
Forwards: Matt Boldy (Wild), Kyle Connor (Jets), Jack Eichel (Golden Knights), Jack Hughes (Devils), Jake Guentzel (Lightning), Clayton Keller (Mammoth), Dylan Larkin (Red Wings), Auston Matthews (Maple Leafs), J.T. Miller (Rangers), Brock Nelson (Avalanche), Brady Tkachuk (Senators), Matthew Tkachuk (Panthers), Tage Thompson (Sabres), & Vincent Trocheck (Rangers)
Defensemen: Brock Faber (Wild), Noah Hanifin (Golden Knights), Quinn Hughes (Wild), Jackson LaCombe (Ducks), Charlie McAvoy (Bruins), Jake Sanderson (Senators), Jaccob Slavin (Hurricanes), & Zach Werenski (Blue Jackets)
Goaltenders: Connor Hellebuyck (Jets), Jake Oettinger (Stars), & Jeremy Swayman (Bruins)
Team U.S.A. Olympic Hockey Breakdown
The United States was just one goal away from taking down Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. After ultimately coming up short, revenge certainly could be on the minds of the Americans as they chase a gold medal in Milan.
The Americans are searching for their first gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” triumph in 1980. The United States was most recently on the podium in 2010 when it captured a silver medal.
If they want to end the drought, the United States certainly has the talent to do so in all three areas of the ice. The Americans are led by Toronto Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews, who will serve as the team’s captain.
The roster also features the physicality and grit that Matthew and Brady Tkachuk bring to the table. During the 4 Nations Face-Off, the two set the table in the first matchup against Canada by each getting into a fight within the opening nine seconds of the game.
The true x-factor could come in the form of Tampa Bay Lightning C Jake Guentzel. The two-time All-Star is the true definition of a playmaker due to his ability to set up his teammates and put the puck in the net.
It’s hard to imagine Canada and the United States not being on a collision course in Milan. After all, these are easily the two most loaded rosters in the tournament’s field. If the United States finally wants to dethrone Canada, it’ll take a complete effort, along with some sensational play on the back end and in net.
Team Sweden Gold Medal Payout: 1.08x No | 6.66x Yes
Roster
Forwards: Jesper Bratt (Devils), Joel Eriksson Ek (Wild), Filip Forsberg (Predators), Pontus Holmberg (Lightning), Marcus Johansson (Wild), Adrian Kempe (Kings), Gabriel Landeskog (Avalanche), Elias Lindholm (Bruins), William Nylander (Maple Leafs), Elias Pettersson (Canucks), Rickard Rakell (Penguins), Lucas Raymond (Red Wings), Alexander Wennberg (Sharks), & Mika Zibanejad (Rangers)
Defensemen: Rasmus Andersson (Golden Knights), Philip Broberg (Blues), Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Maple Leafs), Gustav Forsling (Panthers), Victor Hedman (Lightning), Erik Karlsson (Penguins), & Hampus Lindholm (Bruins)
Goaltenders: FIlip Gustavsson (Wild), Jacob Markstrom (Devils), & Jesper Wallstedt (Wild)
Team Sweden Olympic Hockey Breakdown
While Canada and the United States are the juggernauts at the Olympics, Sweden is definitely a team that shouldn’t be overlooked.
At the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sweden did manage to defeat the United States in its lone win, and played in three 1-goal contests. In fact, the Swedes fell to Canada and Finland in overtime in both of their losses, so it’s not crazy to think that they could make some noise in Milan.
Sweden’s star power isn’t quite at the level of Canada or the United States, but players like Filip Forsberg, Adrian Kempe, and William Nylander certainly can light the lamp at will.
The Swedes also boast a sensational defensive group that features Rasmus Dahlin, Gustav Forsling, and Victor Hedman. While they can slow down any opposing team, there’s also plenty of offensive upside on the back end with Erik Karlsson also being a member of the group.
Finland Gold Medal Payout: 1.03x No | 10.00x Yes
Roster
Forwards: Joel Armia (Kings), Sebastian Aho (Hurricanes), Mikael Granlund (Ducks), Erik Haula (Predators), Roope Hintz (Stars), Kaapo Kakko (Kraken), Oliver Kapanen (Canadiens), Joel Kiviranta (Avalanche), Artturi Lehkonen (Avalanche), Anton Lundell (Panthers), Eetu Luostarinen (Panthers), Mikko Rantanen (Stars), Teuvo Teravainen (Blackhawks), & Eeli Tolvanen (Kraken)
Defensemen: Miro Heiskanen (Stars), Henri Jokiharju (Bruins), Mikko Lehtonen (ZSC Lions), Esa Lindell (Stars), Olli Maatta (Mammoth), Nikolas Matinpalo (Senators), Niko Mikkola (Panthers), & Rasmus RIstolainen (Flyers)
Goaltenders: Joonas Korpisalo (Bruins), Kevin Lankinen (Canucks), & Juuse Saros (Predators)
Finland is the defending gold medalist after earning the honor at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Obviously, NHL players weren’t suiting up for the majority of countries as the league chose not to send its players due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s worth noting that Finland has medaled in each of the last three Winter Games in which NHL players have made the trip. The Finns actually won the silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
Finland’s forward group definitely isn’t nearly as deep as the likes of Canada, the United States, and Sweden. This group certainly will need Stars RW Mikko Rantanen to play out of his mind and carry the scoring load.
In order for Finland to make a run at a gold medal, they’ll also need a superhuman performance from G Juuse Saros in net, while getting strong play from their defensemen. It could be an uphill battle when facing teams that have the amount of depth that Canada and the United States do.
{{core_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Make 2026 Olympic Picks on PrizePicks
You can make your 2026 Olympics 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, over/unders, and more — including Olympic gold medal winners — now available in 34 states.
Keep it locked in here with PrizePicks and the Playbook for continued Olympic picks, predictions, and news.
