A Lapsed Fan’s Guide to Olympic Men’s Hockey (BetNow Edition)

The 2026 Milan–Cortina Olympic men’s hockey tournament drops the puck this Wednesday, and for the first time in over a decade, NHL stars are officially back on Olympic ice. The last time hockey fans saw a true best-on-best Olympic tournament was Sochi 2014 — and yes, that matters a lot.

Whether you’ve been following the NHL religiously or you’re just tuning in and asking “wait, what’s a Tkachuk?”, here’s everything you need to know before the action heats up.

Why Are NHL Players Back in the Olympics?

Since NHL players first joined the Olympics in 1998, the men’s tournament has felt bigger, faster, and far more meaningful. Canada, coincidentally, went from zero gold medals after 1952 to three Olympic golds once NHL participation began.

That momentum stalled when the league skipped PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, citing scheduling conflicts, COVID disruptions, and financial disagreements with the IOC. But after years of pressure from players — and serious negotiations around insurance, travel, and accommodations — the NHL officially confirmed its return in February 2024.

Bottom line: the stars are back, and so is Olympic hockey credibility.

Why Isn’t Russia Competing?

Russia (and Belarus) remain banned from IIHF competition following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. That means no Ovechkin, no Kucherov, no Kaprizov, and no Russian national team — turning this tournament into what some are calling “best-on-most-of-the-best.”

It’s a significant absence, but it’s also reshaped the power balance of international hockey and fueled the rise of a new super-rivalry.

The Tournament Everyone’s Waiting For: USA vs. Canada

Let’s not overthink this — Team USA and Team Canada are the clear favorites, and sportsbooks know it.

Team Canada’s Firepower

Canada rolls in with what might be the greatest center trio ever assembled:

• Connor McDavid (first Olympics, multiple MVPs)

• Nathan MacKinnon (40 goals in 55 games this season)

• Sidney Crosby (still elite at 38)
  

Add elite wingers, agitators who can score, a generational defenseman in Cale Makar, and rising phenom Macklin Celebrini, and Canada is loaded from top to bottom.

Team USA’s Golden Opportunity

This might be the deepest roster Team USA has ever iced.

• The Tkachuk brothers bring chaos, toughness, and scoring.

• Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel form the best American center duo in Olympic history.

• The blue line blends offense and shutdown ability.

• In net? Connor Hellebuyck, backed by Oettinger and Swayman — arguably the strongest goalie group in the tournament.

From a betting perspective, USA vs. Canada isn’t just likely — it’s almost inevitable.

When Could USA and Canada Meet?

The group draw keeps them apart early:

• Canada: Group A

• USA: Group C
  

If both teams take care of business — which is expected — they’ll receive byes and likely avoid each other until the gold medal game. However, Olympic seeding rules leave the door open for a dramatic semifinal showdown if things get weird in group play.

Either way, this matchup has classic written all over it.

BetNow Takeaway

This isn’t just Olympic hockey — it’s elite NHL playoff intensity on international ice. With stars back, rivalries renewed, and medals on the line, the 2026 tournament is shaping up as one of the most bettable Winter Olympic events in years.