As Canada again employed late-game heroics to seal victory in their semifinal against Finland, the United States had a stress-free contest vs. Slovakia to advance to the gold medal game.

Just like in 2002 in Salt Lake City and 2010 in Vancouver, another gold medal will be contested between the world’s two best hockey powers on February 22, 2026.

Stay up all night. Set an alarm. Whatever it takes.

“Just can’t reality script it any better than that,” said Brady Tkachuk.

Unlikely to match the sheer intensity and physicality of last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, remembered for the round-robin game that began with three fights in nine seconds – Brandon Hagel vs Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett vs Brady Tkachuk, Colton Parayko vs JT Miller – then the overtime of the championship game that saw Jordan Binnington going stonewall, and Connor McDavid unleashing the game-winner.

It was politically charged with ‘51st state’ commentary from US President Donald Trump and a Montreal crowd booing the Star Spangled Banner. All of these things from a year ago are unlikely to repeat: the release of a pressurized valve of the first best-on-best competition in a decade, mixed with political anxieties.

But that’s okay.

This is an Olympic gold medal several hours away, across the Atlantic Ocean on European soil, and the event is elevated. There doesn’t need to be any more storylines than that.

“Best on best. It’s what every American and Canadian grows up watching, grows up hearing about. This is the pinnacle of the sport. This is as good as it gets, and a rivalry that’s as good as it gets,” said Matthew Tkachuk.

“There will not be one TV without this game on in the United States and in Canada — and that should get you pretty fired up.”

Quinn key to win?

With that myriad of talent at each team’s disposal, the biggest questions are about who is and isn’t available. As American fans have been quick to point out, Quinn Hughes didn’t play in the Four Nations tournament.

He’s been the United States’ best player at the tournament, leading their team in points with seven, scoring the overtime winner in a late comeback against Sweden, and logging huge minutes.

Hughes is the cornerstone of the blueline, but Zach Werenski (the Four Nations points leader), is right there commanding another pair. The US is the most equipped team in the tournament to get out of trouble in their own zone effectively.

Especially with record-breaker Connor McDavid as motivated as ever to win Olympic gold.

“If we played them in a best-of-seven, it probably goes seven. So, it’s just going to be whoever’s better on that day. You want to go through the best. And right now, that’s them after winning Four Nations. And I think we got a great opportunity to try to win gold,” said Hughes.

Injuries

At forward, Jets sniper Kyle Connor can’t get a foothold in the lineup just like in Four Nations. He was scratched for the third straight time against Slovakia.

It’s also Déjà vu for Canada’s Josh Morrissey, who suffered an injury against Czechia in the tournament opener, and hasn’t played since. He’ll also be out for the gold medal game, just like a year ago, when he was sick.

But Canada’s biggest question is the status of Sidney Crosby, who has not been ruled out by coach Jon Cooper. A lower-body injury in the quarterfinal against Czechia forced Crosby’s exit. He didn’t in the semis and Connor McDavid wore the “C” for Canada.

Cooper said that if Crosby is compromised and unable to go, he will not dress. But Cooper said there’s a better chance he suits up for this last game after practicing Saturday.

“I watched him skate today. I haven’t spoken to him yet. We’re going to meet tonight and have a determination of what’s going to happen tomorrow,” said Cooper.

The history

Five times in the NHL-era of the Olympics have Canada played the United States. Canada has won four of them, only losing the 2010 round-robin game.

The last matchup, largely forgotten, was a 1-0 win for Canada in the semifinals of the 2014 Sochi games.

The United States last Olympic gold was 1980, the Miracle on Ice team that defeated Finland in the final (the Soviet Union upset was the semi).

The greatest win for the US against Canada is the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, perhaps the most under-discussed tournament of all-time. Decided by a best-of-three, Canada won Game 1 but lost the next two by a 5-2 score.

“It’s time for us to take our own step for this group,” said Zach Werenski. “Last year at the Four Nations, we were one goal short, and now it’s time for us to finally get over the finish line. So I don’t want to look at all the other teams and feel the pressure of that.”

Olympic & best-on-best history:

2025 Four Nations: 2nd
2022 Beijing: 5th
2018 PyeongChang: 7th
2014 Sochi: 4th
2010 Vancouver: Silver
2006 Turin: 8th
2004 World Cup: Semifinal
2002 Salt Lake City: Silver
1998 Nagano: 6th

World Championships:

2025: Gold*
2024: 5th
2023: 4th
2022: 4th
2021: Bronze

*The first gold for the US ever at the World Championships.

Projected lines

B. Tkachuk – Eichel – M. Tkachuk

Guentzel – Matthews – Boldy

J. Hughes – Larkin – Thompson

Miller – Nelson – Trocheck

Keller-Connor

Hughes – McAvoy

Sanderson – Werenski

Slavin – Faber

Hanifin

Hellebuyck

Notes:

In a game with limited free ice, expect special teams to play a huge factor.
The US penalty kill is a perfect 15/15 at the tournament, while Canada’s powerplay is a nasty 7/16.
Conversely, the US powerplay is 4/14. Canada’s penalty kill is 8/11.
The tournament numbers are even. Canada has outscored opponents 27-8 and outshot them 202-106.
The US has a 24-8 goals advantage, while outshooting opponents 201-124.
Goaltending: Hellebuyck has a 1.23GAA, .947sv%, only allowed five goals at the Games.
Jordan Binnington has made huge saves in crunch time in a Canada sweater, but his numbers are not as gaudy: 1.74GAA, .914sv%.

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