The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan are set to be a historic tournament, as NHL players return to the ice for the first time since 2014. This shift has changed the landscape, making the Canadians and Americans the heavy favorites.
However, it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see a different team win the title. Sweden, Finland, Czechoslovakia, and Switzerland all have strong teams. Finland is defending their gold medal they won in 2022, however, that tournament was played without NHL players.
Both Finland and Sweden have excellent defensive cores who could come through in this tournament
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Who will win the Gold Medal?
Here are the current odds to win the gold medal in Olympic hockey:
| Country | Odds | Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | -130 | |
| USA | +180 | |
| Sweden | +700 | |
| Finland | +1200 | |
| Czechia | +2500 | |
| Switzerland | +3000 |
Olympic Hockey Best Bet
The United States has not won a gold medal in hockey since the Miracle on Ice in 1980. However, this year looks to be the year that they can finally return to the center podium and claim the gold medal.
USA to Win Gold Medal (+180)
Canada is the rightful favorite for a reason, but from a betting perspective, the United States presents the most value.
While Canada’s biggest concern is in the crease, the US has 3 legitimate NHL starters. Even if one of them struggles, they still have a “next man up” capability that no other country can match. They start with Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart Trophy winner. He is the biggest “X Factor” in a one-game elimination format.
Statistically, the US blue line is currently more decorated than Canada’s. In the most recent Norris Trophy voting for the best defensemen, 4 of the top 10 finishers were American.
The US can match Canada’s star power at the center position, which is vital for controlling the neutral zone. In the Four Nations Face Off last year, this team pushed Canada to overtime in the final.
This United States team has more chemistry than any US team in recent history. The United States and Canada are essentially a coin flip to win the gold medal, and with these odds we are getting a great payout on the United States.
Pick: USA to Win Gold Medal (+180) at Bookmaker
Olympic Hockey Sleeper
Although the United States and Canada are rightful favorites, Czechia has a great chance to win the gold as well. They have the best goalie in the tournament and the best pure goal scorer. This is the perfect formula for an Olympic upset.
Czechia to Win Gold Medal (+2500)
Czechia is coming off a massive gold medal win at the 2024 World Championships.
With Lukas Dostal in the net, Czechia has the best goaltender of the whole tournament. He was the MVP of the 2024 World Championships, which proved he can handle the pressure of these high-stakes international competitions.
They also have David Pastrnak, who scored the gold medal clinching goal at the 2024 worlds. So not only do the Czechs have an elite goaltender, they also have a top five player attacking the opponent’s net.
While Canada and the USA are still figuring out their lines, the Czechs have a stable core. They play a suffocating style of hockey that clogs the neutral zone and frustrates high skill teams. Much of this roster played together during the 2024 and 2025 World Championships.
This familiarity will be a massive advantage in the short tournament.
Pick: Czechia to Win Gold Medal (+2500) at Bookmaker
Best Olympic Hockey Picks – Lock Them In
Remember, timing matters. Lines can shift fast once starting goalies are confirmed or injury news drops, so locking in early often makes the difference between profit and a missed number.
Looking for more hockey betting action? Explore the rest of Bookmakers Review’s picks or open an account with one of our top offshore sportsbooks to grab the best prices on tonight’s slate.
Tips For Making NHL Picks Today
Here are my NHL betting tips today:
- Check starting goalie confirmations before placing bets.
- Monitor line combinations for scoring upside.
- Watch recent form and momentum trends.
- Review power-play and penalty-kill stats.
- Compare odds across multiple sportsbooks for maximum value.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
