The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey tournament begins with a group C matchup between the United States and Latvia on Thursday, February 12, at 3:10 p.m. ET.[1][2] Played at the Milano Santagiulia Arena, this game marks the return of NHL players to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, bringing best-on-best hockey back to the world stage.[3] Team USA enters as heavy favorites with a roster packed with superstar talent, while Latvia fields a gritty squad featuring several current NHLers.
Expect a lopsided affair on paper, but Latvia’s experience could make it interesting early. Live coverage airs on USA Network and Peacock, with updates rolling in throughout the day.[4]
Team USA’s powerhouse lineup
The United States boasts arguably the deepest roster in the tournament, led by captain Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs.[5] This group combines scoring prowess, defensive stability, and elite goaltending, positioning them as gold medal contenders.
Up front, the forwards read like an NHL all-star team:
- Auston Matthews (C, Toronto Maple Leafs)
- Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights)
- Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils)
- Matthew Tkachuk (A, Florida Panthers)
- Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators)
- Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings)
- And more, including Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, and Tage Thompson.
Defensively, Quinn Hughes anchors a mobile blue line alongside Charlie McAvoy (A, Boston Bruins), Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets), and Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights).[5]
In net, Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets), Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars), and Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) form the tournament’s top trio.[1] Head coach Mike Sullivan brings Stanley Cup experience to guide this talent.
Team USA won gold at the 2025 World Championships and seeks its first Olympic medal since silver in 2010.[6] Chemistry built through exhibitions has them peaking at the right time. Bill Guerin, the GM, has called it a “gold or bust” mission.
Latvia’s battle-tested NHL core
Latvia punches above its weight with six current NHL players, making them a potential spoiler in group C.[5] Ranked 10th globally, they’ve shown resilience, including bronze at the 2023 Worlds.
Key forwards include Zemgus Girgensons (A, Tampa Bay Lightning), Teddy Blueger (Vancouver Canucks), and Rudolfs Balcers (formerly NHL). Captain Kaspars Daugavins leads a veteran group.
Defensemen feature Uvis Balinskis (A, Florida Panthers) and a mix of European pros like Ralfs Freibergs (Vitkovice).
Goalies Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Arturs Silovs (Pittsburgh Penguins) provide NHL-caliber netminding.[7]
Latvia dominated qualification and placed 10th at 2025 Worlds. Their best Olympic finish was eighth in 2014, when NHLers debuted.[6] They hold a narrow historical edge over USA in non-Olympic play.
Key matchups to watch
Matthews vs. Merzlikins headlines the top line clash, pitting Toronto’s sniper against Columbus’ butterfly goalie. Hughes brothers could dazzle on the blue line.
USA’s power forward trio—Tkachuk brothers and Larkin—tests Latvia’s checking forwards like Girgensons.
Goaltending duel: Oettinger or Hellebuyck versus Silovs, who starred in 2024 playoffs.
Special teams will matter; USA’s penalty kill ranked elite in recent Worlds.
For full rosters, check NHL.com’s complete list.[5]
Odds, predictions, and historical notes
USA are massive -2100 favorites, with puck line -3.5 and over/under 6.5.[6] Experts lean USA covering, citing talent gap.
USA leads all-time 10-2-1 vs. Latvia, including 6-3 in 2024. Latvia’s lone win came in 2014 Worlds.
Group C includes Denmark next for USA on Feb. 14. Top two advance, plus best thirds.
As covered in our 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics men’s hockey overview at NHL Insight, arena preparations added intrigue but are ready.[8]
What to expect from the opener
This game sets the tone for USA’s gold pursuit against obstacles like Canada and Sweden later. Latvia aims to build momentum.
Tune in for highlights; expect USA dominance but watch for Latvian pushback. A strong start boosts USA confidence through prelims.
Follow live updates on ESPN.[1] Victory here positions Team USA perfectly for medal contention in Milan-Cortina.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.