The U.S. men’s hockey team is through to the quarterfinals.
Team USA finished atop Group C with a 3-0 record in the preliminary round at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. The three group winners, along with the top second-place team, receive byes past the playoff qualifiers and into the quarterfinals.
The U.S. clinched the quarterfinal berth Sunday with a 5-1 win over Leon Draisaitl-led Germany. Captain Auston Matthews had two goals and an assist, while Zach Werenski, Brock Faber and Tage Thompson also scored.
So, when will the Americans’ pursuit of their first gold medal since 1980 continue? Here’s what to know as the knockout rounds begin:
When is the USA men’s hockey team’s next Olympic game?
Team USA (9 points), Canada (9 points) and Slovakia (6 points) were the three group winners, while Finland (6 points) also advanced to the quarterfinals as the top second-place team.
The U.S. will be the No. 2 seed as top-seeded Canada had the advantage in goal differential. Since they’re the top two seeds, there’s a chance Canada and the U.S. could meet in the Olympic final.
The other eight teams in the tournament will compete for the four remaining quarterfinal berths in the playoff qualifiers. All four playoff qualifiers are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The quarterfinals will be then played on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Possible quarterfinal game times for the U.S. are 6:10 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 3:10 p.m. ET.
Who is the USA men’s hockey team playing in the Olympic quarterfinals?
The U.S. will draw the winner of No. 7-seeded Sweden and No. 10 Latvia. Sweden, a team full of NHL players, went 2-1 in Group B with wins over Italy and Slovakia, while losing 4-1 to Finland.
Team USA beat Latvia 5-1 in its Olympic opener. Latvia also lost to Denmark and beat Germany.
What is the Olympic men’s hockey bracket?
Here’s a full look at the quarterfinal bracket possibilities:
- No. 1 Canada vs. No. 8 Czechia/No. 9 Denmark
- No. 2 USA vs. No. 7 Sweden/No. 10 Latvia
- No. 3 Slovakia vs. No. 6 Germany/No. 11 France
- No. 4 Finland vs. No. 5 Switzerland/No. 12 Italy
Team USA hockey star Brock Nelson has the Olympics in his blood.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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