Hockey at the 2026 Olympics: Results, Statistics, and Top Players

The ice hockey tournament of the 2026 Winter Olympics concluded in Milan. For the first time since 1980, the USA national team claimed the Olympic gold medals. In the final, the American hockey players secured a victory over their arch-rivals from Canada (2:1 OT).

The tournament featured 12 teams, most of which qualified through the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rankings, while the rest advanced through the qualification stage. Over 11 days of competition, 30 matches were held across two arenas in Milan, with teams scoring a total of 188 goals. On average, spectators witnessed 6.27 goals per game – the highest figure since 1994. For comparison, the average scoring at the 2014 Olympics was 4.7 goals per game, while in 2018 and 2022– it was 5.1.

Playoff Match Results

Qualification Round

Switzerland – Italy 6:0 (2:0, 0:0, 1:0)

Germany – France 5:1 (3:0, 0:1, 2:0)

Czech Republic – Denmark 3:2 (0:0, 3:2, 0:0)

Sweden – Latvia 5:1 (2:0, 1:1, 2:0)

Quarterfinals

Slovakia – Germany 6:2 (1:0, 3:1, 2:1)

Canada – Czech Republic 4:3 OT (1:2, 1:0, 1:1, 1:0)

Finland – Switzerland 3:2 OT (0:2, 0:0, 2:0, 1:0)

USA – Sweden 2:1 OT (0:0, 1:0, 0:1, 1:0)

Semifinals

Canada – Finland 3:2 (0:1, 1:1, 2:0)

USA – Slovakia 6:2 (2:0, 3:0, 1:2)

Third Place Match

Slovakia – Finland 1:6 (0:1, 1:1, 0:4)

Final

Canada – USA 1:2 OT (0:1, 1:0, 0:0, 0:1)

This achievement is historic for American hockey. For the first time in the 21st century, the team brings home gold medals. Considering the victory of the women's team, who defeated Canada in the final (2:1 OT), it's the first time in history that both the men's and women's national teams of the USA have won Olympic gold.

For the second consecutive Olympics, the Finnish team has won medals. The 2022 champions were close to a second consecutive final, but Canada caught a stroke of luck in the playoffs – first with a miraculous save against the Czechs, and then against the Finns. The Slovakian team also pleasantly surprised, despite a crushing defeat in the bronze medal game.

Final Standings

Top Teams by Statistics

• Most Scoring Team. Canada – 28 goals scored, conversion rate – 11.5%
• Best Defensive Team. USA – 9 goals conceded, 94.3% save percentage
• Best Power Play Team. Canada – 7 power play goals, 38.9% conversion
• Best Penalty Killing Team. USA – 0 goals conceded, 100% penalty kill
• Most Disciplined Team. Germany – 20 penalty minutes in 5 games, 4:00 penalty minutes on average per game
• Most Attended Team. USA – 67,891 spectators over six games (11,315 on average per game)

Top Players

Tournament All-Star Team

Goalie: Connor Hellebuyck (USA)

Defensemen: Quinn Hughes (USA), Cale Makar (Canada)

Forwards: Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini (both – Canada), Juraj Slafkovsky (Slovakia).

Tournament Records

• The main record was, of course, set by Connor McDavid. Despite losing his third final in three years (two Stanley Cups and an Olympic final), the Canadian broke the record for most points in a single Olympics among NHL players (13), surpassing Finns Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne (11 each).
• USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck set a record for most saves in an Olympic final with NHL players. He stopped 41 shots from the Canadians in almost 62 minutes of play.
• 19-year-old Canadian star Macklin Celebrini, by scoring in four consecutive matches, tied the record streaks of Marian Hossa, Teemu Selanne, and Mats Sundin in Olympics featuring NHL players.
• 20-year-old forward from the Slovakian team Dalibor Dvorsky broke the record for points among NHL rookies in a single Olympic tournament (6). The previous record was held by Alexander Ovechkin (5 points at the Olympics-2006), Sami Vatanen and Olli Määttä (5 points each at the 2014 Olympics).

What's Next?

The North American teams delivered a predictable final. But that's only if you look at the marquee. Canada came very close to being eliminated first in the quarterfinals and then in the semifinals. Both times they were lucky. The USA advanced through the playoffs more confidently but provided one of the most memorable Olympic finals, proving that the NHL remains the best league in the world.

In other teams, NHL players also played key roles. The Finns pleasantly surprised, starting the tournament with a loss. However, the Scores24 editorial team had predicted a top-3 finish for the Scandinavian team a week before the competition began. Overall, out of our six predictions in the article Best Betting Options for the Olympic hockey tournaments, four were successful (the highest odds being 2.3), one bet was refunded, and one did not come through, although the USA team showed high-scoring hockey in the group stage.

The main European teams will play six more matches in the Euro Hockey Tour before the start of the World Championship 2026, where Sweden has almost certainly secured victory. The World Championship 2026 itself will take place in Switzerland from May 15 to 31. Considering that the NHL games will be entering the second round of playoffs by then, we will see bright NHL stars in Zurich and Fribourg (if things don't go as planned for San Jose, expect Celebriini).

Also, read more in our Blog about the Winter Olympics 2026:

• Women's Ice Hockey at the 2026 Olympics: Results, Statistics, and Best Players
• Women's Ice Hockey Olympic Final 2026: USA vs. Canada. Result, Score, Highlights
• Sports at the Winter Olympics 2026 — Complete List and Format competitions