when does the us men's hockey team play
The US men's hockey team kicks off their 2026 Winter Olympics campaign tomorrow in Milano Cortina, Italy. With NHL stars like Auston Matthews leading the charge, all eyes are on Group C action starting February 12.
Upcoming Schedule
Their preliminary round features high-stakes matchups at Milano Santagiulia Arena (all times ET). Here's the confirmed lineup:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thurs., Feb. 12 | Latvia vs. **USA** | 3:10 PM | USA Network |
| Sat., Feb. 14 | **USA** vs. Denmark | 3:10 PM | USA Network |
| Sun., Feb. 15 | **USA** vs. Germany | 3:10 PM | USA Network |
Why It Matters Now
It's February 11, 2026—literally hours from puck drop against Latvia, the first NHL-powered US Olympic squad since 2014. Team USA, captained by Matthews with alternates like Matthew Tkachuk, aims to end a 46-year gold drought since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice." Group C foes (Latvia, Denmark, Germany) set up a tough path to medals.
Key Storylines
- Roster Buzz : Loaded with NHL talent (e.g., Matthews, McAvoy), but no Kreider or Fox; Canada counters with McDavid, MacKinnon.
- Trending Talk : Fans hype the US-Canada rivalry reboot; injury watches and rink quality debates dominate forums. Some speculate a US "B-team" could still medal.
- Watch Tips : All prelims on USA Network/Peacock; medal games TBD but follow IIHF for live updates. No shootouts in finals—pure OT drama.
TL;DR : First game tomorrow (Feb. 12, 3:10 PM ET vs. Latvia)—don't miss it! Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.