USA vs Denmark: Team USA holds off scare, wins 6–3 in Olympic men’s hockey

Team USA’s men’s hockey team survived an early jolt and pulled away late to beat Denmark 6–3 on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 (ET), moving to 2–0 in group play at the Winter Games. The game swung on a second-period surge and a steadier third, after a first period that included a rare mistake behind Jeremy Swayman that briefly put the Americans on the back foot.

USA hockey score: 6–3 final

The United States trailed 2–1 in the first period after Denmark struck twice, including a long-range goal that slipped past Swayman and immediately turned the mood tense. Team USA answered with three goals in the second period to take control, then added two more in the third to create separation.

Scoring by period (final)

The Swayman moment that changed the temperature

Denmark’s Nicholas B. Jensen beat Swayman from distance in the first period, a goal that looked stoppable and instantly gave Denmark belief. For Team USA, it forced a reset: simplify exits, win the middle of the ice, and stop feeding Denmark transition looks.

Swayman settled after the miscue, finishing with 16 saves on 19 shots. The bigger correction came in front of him—cleaner gap control by the defense and fewer loose touches through the neutral zone.

Tkachuk–Eichel line drives the response

The U.S. offense leaned into its top-end skill once the game opened up. Brady Tkachuk scored in the second period, and Jack Eichel added a goal of his own as the Americans flipped the game with three second-period tallies. Matthew Tkachuk was on the scoresheet as well, helping keep Denmark pinned with heavy forechecking and quick puck retrievals.

In the third, the Americans made the lead feel safer with goals from Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughes, turning a one-goal game into a multi-goal margin before Denmark could mount a final push.

Denmark’s roster: NHL experience, underdog role

Denmark’s Olympic men’s hockey roster is built around a core of recognizable NHL names and a supporting cast that plays structured, high-effort hockey. In this matchup, Denmark got goals from Nick Olesen, Nicholas B. Jensen, and Phillip Brugisser, and key playmaking help from Nikolaj Ehlers and Oscar Fisker Molgaard.

Notable Denmark skaters in the lineup included:

• Forwards: Nikolaj Ehlers, Lars Eller, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Alexander True, Mikkel Aagaard, Nicklas Jensen, Patrick Russell

• Defense: Jesper Jensen Aabo, Markus Lauridsen, Matias Lassen, Malte Setkov

• Goalies used: Frederik Dichow and Mads Søgaard

The result showed Denmark can pressure favorites for long stretches—but also how quickly elite depth can punish small breakdowns.

What it means for Team USA hockey

At 2–0, the U.S. is positioned strongly for the knockout round path, but the game also served as a warning: in a short Olympic tournament, a single lapse—especially in goal—can swing a period, a game, or a medal run.

The U.S. schedule continues Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 (ET), against Germany. If Team USA plays with the same second-period pace and keeps mistakes minimal, it will stay on track for a top group finish—exactly what you want before the bracket tightens and every shift turns into a must-win moment.