USA vs. Latvia: Predicting Men’s Olympic Hockey Odds
The excitement is building as the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are just around the corner. The men’s ice hockey tournament will kick off, with Team USA facing Latvia in their first preliminary-round game on February 12. This year’s tournament marks the return of NHL players, the first participation since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
USA vs. Latvia: Odds and Predictions
As of February 5, Team USA is favored to win against Latvia by 3.5 points. The moneyline for Team USA stands at an impressive -3000, reflecting their strong position. The over/under for the upcoming match is set at 6.5 goals.
Analyzing the Teams
- Team USA: Composed entirely of NHL players, featuring stars like Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and Jack Hughes.
- Team Latvia: Limited to five NHL players, including Teddy Blueger and Zemgus Girgensons, which may impact their performance.
Girgensons, with six goals and seven assists in 47 games this season, stands out as Latvia’s top player. However, Team USA’s depth in talent is expected to dominate the match. The previous encounter between these teams was at the 2024 IIHF World Championships in Prague, where USA secured a convincing 6-3 victory.
Goalie Matchup
Latvia’s goaltender, Arturs Silovs, has a 2.97 goals against average (GAA) and an .895 save percentage from 25 games this season. Meanwhile, Team USA is likely to start Connor Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, boasting a 2.79 GAA and .900 save percentage through 36 games.
Historical Performance
| Team | Olympic Record | Best Finish | Last Olympics Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia | 3-3-18 | 8th (2014) | 11th (2022) |
| USA | 5th (2022) | Gold (1980) | 5th (2022) |
Team Latvia has struggled historically, with their best Olympic performance landing them in 8th place at the Sochi Games. In contrast, Team USA aims to reclaim gold since their memorable 1980 Miracle on Ice victory.
Expect Team USA to outscore Latvia significantly, surpassing the 6.5 expected goals threshold. Given the roster depth and skill disparity, USA is poised for a strong start in the tournament.
