2026 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey semifinal bracket and predictions
The final four in the men’s tournament meet Friday in the knockout round, with the 2026 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey semifinals set for Team Finland vs Team Canada at 10: 40 a. m. ET and Team Slovakia vs Team USA at 3: 10 p. m. ET. The winners advance to the gold-medal game on Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET while the losers play for bronze on Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET.
2026 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey semifinal schedule
Friday’s slate opens with Finland facing Canada at 10: 40 a. m. ET, followed by Slovakia against the United States at 3: 10 p. m. ET. All four semifinalists reached this stage after overtime wins in the quarterfinals, and the medal games are fixed: the bronze match Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET and the gold-medal final Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET. Games will be played at one of the Milano ice arenas in the tournament footprint.
Who the analysts expect to step up
A group of eight writers and editors covering the tournament in Milan offered a range of predictions tied to specific players and matchups. On Canada, writers cited goaltending and depth, and highlighted 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini as a scorer who has been producing at a goal-a-game clip in this coverage. For Finland, Juuse Saros was named as the goaltender whose play could keep the Finns competitive, with Mikko Rantanen called on for clutch finishing.
On the U. S. side, staff pointed to a loaded blue line — including Quinn Hughes — and the forward play of Jack Hughes as reasons the United States can control matchups against Slovakia. Slovakia’s dark-horse profile rested on forward Juraj Slafkovsky and goaltender Samuel Hlavaj as potential difference-makers in an upset.
How past results and NHL participation shape expectations
Both Canada and the United States topped their groups to reach the knockout rounds; the return of NHL players to Olympic ice hockey for the first time since 2014 has shaped pre-tournament expectations, with Canada viewed as the favorite now that NHL talent is present. Tournament history noted in coverage lists Finland, Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) and Canada among recent Olympic winners, and recalled Canada’s 2010 final victory over the United States in Vancouver.
On broader medal history, the United States entered the knockout phase with 11 total Olympic ice hockey medals and its last Olympic gold dating to 1980, with its only other gold in 1960.
Recap of this weekend’s confirmed schedule:
- Finnland vs Canada — Friday, 10: 40 a. m. ET
- Slovakia vs USA — Friday, 3: 10 p. m. ET
- Bronze medal game — Saturday, 2: 40 p. m. ET
- Gold medal game — Sunday, 8: 10 a. m. ET
The semifinals will clarify the championship matchup and set the stage for the medal games: winners meet Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET for gold, and the two losing teams will play for bronze Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET at one of the Milano ice arenas hosting the tournament.
