2026 Olympic Gold Medal Game Preview: USA vs. Canada

One of the greatest rivalries in sports returns to the biggest world stage on Thursday, February 19, as the US and Canadian women's national teams will vie for the Olympic gold medal. Puck drop is set for 1:10 PM EST.

Historically, this marks the seventh gold medal game between the US and Canada at the Olympics all-time, out of eight women's ice hockey tournaments. Canada has won gold five times (2002, 2006 (vs. Sweden), 2010, 2014, 2022), while the United States has won twice (1998, 2018).

Path to the Gold Medal Game

While this was the expected outcome, it wasn't guaranteed. This year's Olympic tournament was a tight one in many respects; Canada narrowly defeated Switzerland 2-1 in their semifinal to earn the gold medal game berth. Were it not for the offensive talents of Marie-Philip Poulin carrying the team on her back - she scored both goals while dealing with a knee injury - the results could've been very different.

Canada Will Play for Gold, Defeats Switzerland 2-1

Poulin puts on a show to carry Canada over the Swiss and back to the gold medal game for the eighth consecutive Olympic Games.

The Ice GardenMaya Smith

Team USA's path to the gold medal game was a much clearer one. So clear, in fact, that the team's netminders have set a new Olympic record for a shutout streak, having allowed just one goal all tournament. They continued their impressive run with a 5-0 win over Sweden, who'd previously gone undefeated through the preliminary round & quarterfinal.

Team USA Blanks Sweden 5-0 to Advance to Gold Medal Game

Team USA is off to the gold medal game after shutting out Sweden, who will now play for bronze, 5-0.

The Ice GardenLydia Murray

Keys to Victory - Canada

1. Score. Sounds simple enough, right? But given the U.S. goaltending situation - absolute dominance - it may not be as easy as you'd expect. You're going to have to work for it.
2. Play smart defensively. The U.S. will capitalize on any opportunity you give them, having scored 31 goals on 259 shots on goal. They've been by far the most efficient offensive team this tournament; find ways to shut them down.
3. Activate all four lines. Canada's fourth line of Julia Gosling, Jenn Gardiner & Kristin O'Neill has seen by far the lowest playing time, but they've been one of the most offensively effective! The trio have ten points combined, including six goals! Gardiner has the lowest average ice time of any Canadian skater; while Gosling is third-lowest and O'Neill fourth-lowest.

Players to watch: Daryl Watts (2-6--8 in six games, 17:02 TOI avg.); Sarah Fillier (3-3--6 in six games; 17:58 TOI avg.)

Keys to Victory - United States

1. Stay focused & play your game. If it's not broken, don't fix it. Team USA has gotten this far for a few reasons, including strong goaltending and the capability to rely on their young players just as much as the veterans. Stick to what's been working, keep playing your game, and succeed.
2. Stay out of the penalty box. It hasn't been too much of a problem this tournament - the U.S. has only had 11 disadvantages, and hasn't allowed a power play goal yet - but Canada does have the best power play. They've scored seven power play goals on 19 advantages. Don't give them the chance.
3. Force Canada to take penalties. Canada is the third-most penalized team in the tournament, with 36 penalty minutes, all minor penalties. The US' power play could use some work (currently firing at 20%, or 4/20), but these are virtal opportunities that can give the Americans the needed edge.

Players to watch: Caroline Harvey (2-7--9 in six games, 22:31 TOI avg.); Laila Edwards (2-5--7 in six games, 21:37 TOI avg.)