womens hockey gold medal game: Knight and Poulin headline USA-Canada Olympic final

The United States and Canada will renew one of sport's fiercest rivalries Thursday (ET) when they collide in the womens hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. It will be a story of legacy and stakes: Hilary Knight seeking a storybook Olympic sendoff, and Marie-Philip Poulin aiming to extend a legacy of clutch finishes that have defined multiple Olympic finals.

Star power and storylines set the stage

Both teams enter the final with momentum and history behind them. This marks the seventh Olympic final meeting between the two nations in women's hockey, and together they have won every gold medal since the sport's Olympic debut in 1998. Canada has captured five of those titles while the United States has claimed two, creating a rivalry that has shaped the international game.

For the Americans, Hilary Knight's presence looms large. Knight announced that Milan Cortina would be her fifth and final Olympics, and she has spoken openly about wanting a "storybook ending" to her Olympic career. Her resume at the international level is staggering: a decorated Olympic medal history, 10 world titles, and career-leading numbers at the IIHF Women’s World Championships in goals, points and assists. She is also tied for the all-time lead in Olympic goals and points for her country, a reminder of how central she has been to the U. S. attack for more than a decade.

On the Canadian side, Marie-Philip Poulin embodies clutch. Nicknamed for her ability to deliver in the biggest moments, Poulin has now become the first woman to reach 20 career goals in Olympic competition, taking sole possession of the all-time Olympic goals lead during the semifinal round. She has scored the gold-medal-winning goal in three separate Olympics, and that history of finishing games adds a familiar chill to Canada's late-game approach.

How both teams reached this point

The path back to the final for both countries has been deliberate. Canada arrives after a semifinal win that included Poulin extending her Olympic scoring record, and teammates have emphasized focus and continuity from the 2022 gold run. Veteran defenders have spoken about a group's fight and the desire to replicate past success, noting that the road back to the top has not been simple but has been built on sustained effort across the quadrennial.

Team USA rebounded from disappointment in the previous Games by putting in the work to regain an edge. The Americans went undefeated through the qualifying round and carried that form forward, including a dominant 5-0 preliminary win over Canada earlier in the tournament. Younger contributors have stepped up; Caroline Harvey, a two-time Olympian, leads the U. S. in tournament points and has become one of the players the team leans on in transition and generating offense. Veterans have framed the buildup as a process that began immediately after the last Games and matured into a title push.

Coaching decisions, special teams performance and goaltending will figure large in a matchup where margins are often razor thin. Both squads know each other intimately and have prepared for the exacting detail required to win in a one-game final.

Finals feel and what to watch

This matchup is equal parts narrative and high-level hockey. Watch for how each team handles the opening period; early momentum often determines the tempo in these finals. Knight's leadership and ability to take over games will be on display, especially in high-pressure situations where her experience matters. On the other end, Poulin's knack for late-game heroics and scoring in cramped, decisive moments means Canada will look to create high-danger chances and lean on veteran poise.

Special teams could swing the outcome: power-play efficiency and penalty-killing discipline may be decisive, and the battle along the boards and in front of the net will test goaltenders on both sides. Ultimately, this gold medal game is the culmination of four years of planning and preparation for two programs that have been building toward this precise moment.

When the puck drops Thursday (ET), it will be more than a game. It will be a final chapter for some careers, a chance for legacy-defining moments, and another high-stakes episode in a rivalry that has shaped women's hockey for nearly three decades.