The men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics reaches its penultimate stage today with two high-stakes semifinals. Top-seeded Canada faces fourth-seeded Finland at 10:40 a.m. ET, followed by second-seeded USA against third-seeded Slovakia at 3:10 p.m. ET. With players from all 32 NHL teams represented among the final four nations, the depth of talent promises intense competition. The winners advance to Sunday’s gold medal game at 8:10 a.m. ET, while losers play for bronze Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan called it “gold or bust” for the U.S. men’s team, highlighting the pressure on stars like Auston Matthews and captain Dylan Larkin. Canada enters as favorites despite Sidney Crosby being ruled out for the semifinal. Slovakia’s Cinderella run adds intrigue to the other matchup.
Canada vs. Finland: Defending champs test top seed
Canada dominated the preliminary round and quarterfinals, outscoring opponents with Connor McDavid leading the tournament in scoring and scoring chances. Mitch Marner scored in overtime to beat Czechia in the quarters, while Nick Suzuki netted a late goal to force extra time. Without Crosby, McDavid and Macklin Celebrini shoulder the offensive load against Finland’s stout defense.
Finland, the defending champions from 2022, advanced despite missing captain Aleksander Barkov to injury. They boast four players from the Dallas Stars, the most from any single NHL team in the final four. The Finns finished third in their group behind surprise Slovakia, setting up this rematch potential.
Key players to watch for Canada:
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers): Tournament scoring leader.
- Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche): Alternate captain and defenseman.
- Sam Bennett (Florida Panthers): Physical presence up front.
- Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks): Rising star adding speed.
Finland relies on depth and goaltending, but faces Canada’s high-powered attack. Expect a low-scoring affair given both teams’ defensive prowess.
The matchup evokes past Olympic clashes, like Canada’s 2010 gold-medal win over the U.S., but Finland’s experience makes them dangerous underdogs.
USA vs. Slovakia: Stars and stripes meet dark horse
Team USA hung on for an overtime quarterfinal win over Sweden, with Quinn Hughes scoring the winner. Auston Matthews has carried the offense, leading in goals and points, while the roster draws from 18 NHL teams for unmatched depth. Captain Dylan Larkin and Jack Eichel provide secondary scoring.
Slovakia has been the tournament’s biggest surprise, topping their group ahead of Sweden and Finland. Juraj Slafkovsky ranks second in scoring with six points, joined by Dalibor Dvorsky and Simon Nemec. Goaltender Samuel Hlavaj’s .934 save percentage has been pivotal.
USA’s key contributors:
- Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs): Top scorer.
- Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks): Game-winning OT hero.
- Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins): Alternate captain on defense.
- Jake Oettinger/Jeremy Swayman: Goaltending tandem.
Slovakia’s youth movement mirrors their 2016 World Championship upset, but USA’s NHL-heavy lineup holds the edge. Still, Slafkovsky’s form could spark an upset.
Path to the semifinals and biggest surprises
Canada cruised through pools before edging Czechia in OT. Finland dispatched early threats but stumbled in group play without Barkov. Check the full Olympics ice hockey schedule and results for detailed recaps.
USA survived Sweden in OT after a tense quarterfinal, showcasing resilience. Slovakia stunned with group wins over powerhouses, fueled by Hlavaj and Slafkovsky.
Sweden’s early exit disappointed, hampered by coaching and goaltending woes—Filip Gustavsson and Jacob Markstrom faltered. Switzerland also overachieved briefly.
These semifinals cap a tournament of parity, with NHL stars shining brightest.
What it means for gold and beyond
The bronze and gold games follow quickly, testing recovery and focus. Canada-Finland winner likely favorites for gold, but USA’s depth poses threats.
A U.S. medal would echo their 2010 silver run; for Slovakia, semis alone mark progress. McDavid eyes Olympic gold to complement his NHL dominance.
Follow live updates on ESPN as history unfolds. These games decide not just medals, but legacies in Olympic hockey.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.