We have finally reached the final day of preliminary round games in the 2026 Olympics Men’s Hockey Tournament. While Group B is complete, Groups A and C both have two games with strong implications for the final seedings in their respective groups.
Switzerland vs Czechia (6:10 a.m.)
After a strong showing in their opening game against France on Feb. 12, Switzerland could not get much going against Canada in their second game and find themselves at a 1-1 record heading into the final day of the prelims. They will be missing the presence of Kevin Fiala (Los Angeles Kings), who suffered a season-ending injury in their 5-1 loss to the Canadians. While they have scored only five goals, they have been tough defensively, with an even goal differential through their first two games.
They will need more of that strong defensive game and goaltending to beat the Czechs and claim the second seed in Group A. In a big game, it will be interesting to see who they go with in net, either Leonardo Genoni or Akira Schmid (Vegas Golden Knights). Genoni had a strong showing in their win against France, and Schmid had the tough task of playing against Canada.
Czechia has the offensive firepower to counter the Swiss’s solid defensive game, led by David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins) and Martin Necas (Colorado Avalanche), and will look to carry their offensive momentum from their 6-3 win over France on Feb. 13 into today’s matchup. They will need to get more out of Tomas Hertl (Vegas Golden Knights), who has failed to tally a point in the first two games. Their goaltending has been a bit up-and-down, and they will need it to be better in today’s matchup and going forward.
Favorite: Czechia
Canada vs France (10:40 a.m.)
Canada has looked like the best team in the tournament, with strong chemistry and continuity building in their lineup through their first two games, and has been successful at both ends of the ice. Playing against France, they should have the same success. Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) has led the way for the Canadians with six points, and they have gotten plenty of help from every line. The French will play a tough game, as they have in their first two, but the Canadians have too much firepower to overcome.
France’s offense has struggled to generate much so far, tallying only three goals, and they will face an enormous challenge against Canada. They will need to have their best game of the tournament to keep this game within reach. Antoine Keller will likely be in between the pipes for France in the matchup and will surely be plenty busy.
Favorite: Canada
Denmark vs Latvia (1:10 p.m.)
Despite being winless to this point, Denmark has put up a fight in both of its games. In their loss to the United States yesterday, they had the Americans on the ropes early and held a first-period lead, but the Americans eventually took the lead and pulled away. They are a team that takes advantage of any little bit that is given to them and plays with great energy. This game will be fun to watch, with both teams playing in a similar style. Denmark will need better goaltending to get their first win of the tournament.
Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey Tournament
The Latvians pulled off a bit of an upset, earning their first win of the Olympics with a 4-3 victory over Germany yesterday. As mentioned before, both teams play in a similar style: they don’t back down and are in your face the entire game. They do not have a single player who will light up the scoresheet, but they have four lines that can go out on the ice and make a difference. With that being said, they should have the upper hand on Denmark, on top of the fact that they have gotten solid goaltending from Artūrs Šilovs (Pittsburgh Penguins), who could very easily be the one in net in a big game for the Latvians.
Favorite: Latvia
United States vs Germany (3:10 p.m.)
After a bit of a struggle out of the gate against Denmark yesterday, the Americans pulled away for a 6-3 win, moving to 2-0 in the Olympics. Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) had a rough start in the crease, and it is likely that Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) will be the starter against the Germans. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk have played their typical games and have been great for the Americans so far in the tournament, and that should not change today. It will be interesting to see if head coach Mike Sullivan shakes up the lineup at all to get a bit more spark in their final preliminary round game.
The Germans are coming into the matchup off a somewhat disappointing game against the Latvians, where they could not really get going offensively. They will need huge games from Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) and Tim Stütlze (Ottawa Senators) offensively, while Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings) will surely be relied on to be on the ice for 25-plus minutes in the game and be tasked with taking on the top line of the United States.
Favorite: United States
Exciting Finish to the Preliminary Round
With four games on the schedule today, each is of massive importance as we head into the qualification stage and then the quarterfinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Each player has dreamed of playing in big games while representing their country, and today is one of those days as they look to help their teams get into a good position heading into the knockout stages.
