Welcome to Last Word On Hockey’s 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey predictions. Each day, our writers look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at Team USA battling Team Slovakia in a semifnal matchup. Don’t forget to check out more Olympic Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the Olympics.
Winter Olympic Hockey Predictions USA vs Slovakia
Olympic record: Team USA leads all-time matchup, 6-2-1
Time: 3:10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 12:10 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: In Canada: SN, CBC, CBC Gem, TSN
In the United States: USA Network, Peacock
We open up our Winter Olympic Hockey predictions with the second semifinal between Team USA and Slovakia. The Americans are coming off a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Sweden in the quarterfinal round. Slovakia was the only team that advanced to the semifinals without being taken to overtime. The Slovaks took down Germany with a 6-2 victory over Germany.
Both teams are on the edge of getting at least a silver medal with a victory in Friday’s semifinal. Team USA came into this tournament with a world of expectations, and anything short of recaching the final could be considered a failure.
Slovakia has looked like the class of the tournament with some impressive victories. They stunned Finland in the opening game and only lost to Sweden in the Group B finale. The Slovaks are looking to show the world that they should be considered a hockey power.
Let’s take a look at the statistics and storylines heading into this semifinal matchup in our Olympic Hockey Predictions.
The Team USA Story
Team USA was put through the wringer in an emotional victory over the Swedes in the quarterfinals. The Americans held the lead for most of the second half of the game before Mika Zibanejad tied it in the waning moments of third period. However, Minnesota Wild defenceman Quinn Hughes got the overtime winner.
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck played well and made 28 saves for the Americans in the win. He’ll likely draw the start again and has only yielded three goals in three games started for Team USA in this important game.
Hughes is tied with Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews for the team lead in points with six. Matthews is first on the team in goals with three, while Hughes is tops in assists five.
The Slovakia Story
While many expected the United States to be at this stage of the tournament, many thought Slovakia have been eliminated. However, the Slovaks have put the hockey world on notice with strong performances. Wins over Finland and a rout of Germany have Slovakia a game away from the gold medal game.
Wild prospect Samuel Hlavaj has been excellent this tournament, including 29 saves against Germany. Some thought goaltending would be a question for Slovkia. However, Hlavaj gives his team a chance to win each time he’s in goal.
St Louis Blues forward Dalibor Dvorsky and Montreal Canadiens standout Juraj Slafkovsky each have three goals to lead the team. However, the Slovaks are deeper than experts give them credit for.
Prediction
Both teams know the importance of this game. However, only one is going to meet the winner of Canada and Finland in Sunday’s gold medal game. The key will be who gets the first goal in this game.
Slovakia has played great this tournament. However, the United States is seeking that rematch with Canada from the Four Nations Faceoff Final. The depth of the Americans will get them the win.
Prediction: United States wins 4-2.
Best Bets
We close out our Olympic Hockey predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for this game is 5.5, and we like the over in this game.
As for individual props, take Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils to get at least a point. On the Slovakia end of things, take Slafkovsky to get a goal.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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