The stage is set for an epic showdown in the world of hockey as Team USA faces off against Team Canada in the gold medal game at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. This highly anticipated clash between the two hockey powerhouses is expected to be a ratings sensation for NBC, with fans eagerly tuning in to see who will claim the ultimate prize.
Team USA punched their ticket to the final with a commanding 6-2 victory over Slovakia. Leading the charge was Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who found the back of the net, while Jack Hughes added a pair of goals. Zach Werenski was the playmaker with three assists, and Connor Hellebuyck stood tall in goal with 22 saves.
On the other side, Team Canada showcased their resilience by overcoming a 2-0 deficit to edge past Finland with a 3-2 win. Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers captain, continued his Olympic dominance by setting a new record for the most points in a single Winter Olympics during the NHL era. With two assists in the semifinal, he leads all skaters with 13 points.
Viewership is soaring, nearly doubling from the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. The opening ceremony captivated 21.4 million viewers, and the U.S.-Canada women's hockey gold medal game set a record with 5.3 million viewers, thanks in part to Megan Keller's overtime heroics.
The last encounter between the U.S. and Canada at the 2025 4 Nations Face-off drew over 16 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched NHL-sanctioned games in recent memory. Dylan Larkin also made his mark in that tournament with a goal against Canada in Montreal.
This final marks the first Olympic men's hockey showdown between these two rivals since the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. Back then, Sidney Crosby's overtime goal was watched by nearly half of Canada's population and 27.6 million viewers in the U.S. However, Crosby's participation in this final remains uncertain due to an injury.
Hockey fans, set your alarms for 8:10 a.m. to catch this thrilling matchup on NBC or stream it on Peacock. The battle for gold promises to be a memorable chapter in the storied rivalry between the United States and Canada.