By — Front Office Sports
Posted — February 13, 2026
Share
Olympic Hockey Betting Preview: USA and Canada Take Center Ice
Trend Report
Ice hockey is always the biggest draw at the Winter Olympics—and the game is faster, more competitive, and more highly skilled than ever. The tournaments have already proved to be the hottest tickets at this year’s Milan Cortina Games.
It’s also the sport that draws the most sports-betting action, especially in major moments.
Although international competition is always a big draw for bettors, for the 2026 Winter Games, there’s even more potential for huge wagering. That’s because NHL players are returning to the Olympics for the first time since the 2012 Games in Sochi. For the past 14 years, the league barred its athletes from representing their countries for both logistics and safety reasons—but the players have been pushing hard for a return. They’ll finally hit the ice in Milan.
4 Nations Fury
Two North American hockey powerhouses have stolen the hockey spotlight: Team USA and Team Canada. As the U.S. has strengthened its talent-development pipeline, it’s increasingly challenging hockey-stronghold Canada for minting the world’s best players. The Olympics will put that tension on full display.
The rivalry between the U.S. and Canada is fierce—especially after two fiery clashes during the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off. In the February 2025 event, Team USA took the preliminary match, and its wins over the Swedes and Finns put them at the top of the leaderboard. Canada’s run through Sweden and Finland set up the USA-Canada final.
It was BetMGM’s most-bet hockey match of all time, surpassing even Stanley Cup Final games.
Overall in that championship—which saw the teams’ odds nearly matched—bettors put the most action on USA to go home with the title at 64%. Americans largely backed Team USA (74%), and Canadians overwhelmingly bet on their home country to win (84%). Ultimately, Canada claimed the championship in a dramatic overtime finish that had Connor McDavid net the winner.
Olympic Score to Settle
For all the fanfare of 4 Nations Face-Off, the USA-Canada hockey rivalry goes back further.
The most memorable clash happened on Olympic ice in 2010, when the two teams faced off for the gold in Vancouver. Played on the day of the closing ceremony with only a few hours left in the Games, the final was intense, coming down to overtime after the teams were knotted 2–2. About seven minutes into the OT period, 22-year-old Sidney Crosby knocked in the winning goal for Canada.
Team USA wants vengeance against a Canada team where not only is Crosby playing again this year—he’s also Canada’s captain.
Swedish Push
Among this fervor for USA and Canada, there’s one country bettors aren’t counting out: Sweden. In the lead up to the Olympics, the team has dealt with an unfortunate run of injuries to many of its crucial stars; still, even with a banged-up roster, bettors rank the Swedes among their top three contenders.
Yet compared to the two North American powerhouses, the gap in the line is significant and getting even longer: The odds opened at +525 and have now stretched to +625.
LEARN MORE
Use Code FOS26 for BetMGM's New Player Offer
Presented by
Download the app
By — Front Office Sports
Posted — May 23, 2025
Share —
Trend Report
We’re in for a true international best-on-best competition in Italy, and a return to peak form for the highest-stakes ice hockey tournament on the planet. When the top athletes in the world square off, more people watch—and bet—compared to other events.
In Milan, more eyes than ever are on Olympic hockey, especially for Teams USA and Canada—and for sports bettors, more money is on the line, too. Front Office Sports and BetMGM take you through the hottest rivalry in ice hockey for the 2026 Winter Games.
Tickets
Handle
Most-Bet Tickets vs. Most-Bet Handle
Most-Bet Tickets vs. Most-Bet Handle
GOLD MEDAL MONEYLINE MOVEMENT
Canada
Opening
Current
+230
+100
In Milan, the two countries don’t meet in the preliminary games as they’re in different groups. But they’re expected to dominate their other opponents, which will put Teams USA and Canada on a collision course in later rounds. The matchup is sure to supercharge the betting market.
For now, bettors are pitting them against each other as the two most-favored countries to take home gold.
Canada opened as the favorite at +230 and has seen those odds shorten to +115 leading up to the competition. USA isn't too far behind, opening at +280 and now down to +200. The two teams are seeing nearly all the action—they combine for about 94% of the handle in advance of the men’s tournament puck drop.
USA
+280
Opening
+190
Current
Sweden
+525
Opening
+700
Current
Final Clash
Bettors are keeping a tight watch on all the action in Milan as the best hockey players on Earth face off. But the biggest event will undoubtedly be the championship game, especially as winner-take-all-events consistently drive the most attention and action.
A potential USA-Canada gold-medal game will take hockey betting to new heights. Although any championship matchup will be exciting, nothing will be better—and more bet on—than a heated matchup between familiar and storied foes.
BIGGEST LIABILITY
USA
Canada
Sweden
6.5%
#3
32.6%
#2
56.7%
#1
SWEDEN
CANADA
USA
31.0%
usa
#2
61.6%
Canada
#1
#3
#2
#1
5.5%
SWEDEN
#3
*Data provided by
*Data provided by
*Data provided by
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
#3
#2
#1
SWEDEN
For all the fanfare of 4 Nations Face-Off, the USA-Canada hockey rivalry goes back further.
The most memorable clash happened on Olympic ice in 2010, when the two teams faced off for the gold in Vancouver. Played on the day of the closing ceremony with only a few hours left in the Games, the final was intense, coming down to overtime after the teams were knotted 2–2. About seven minutes into the OT period, 22-year-old Sidney Crosby knocked in the winning goal for Canada.
Team USA wants vengeance against a Canada team where not only is Crosby playing again this year—he’s also Canada’s captain.
Canada
+230
Opening
+100
Current
Canada
+230
Opening
+100
Current
Among this fervor for USA and Canada, there’s one country bettors aren’t counting out: Sweden. In the lead up to the Olympics, the team has dealt with an unfortunate run of injuries to many of its crucial stars; still, even with a banged-up roster, bettors rank the Swedes among their top three contenders.
Yet compared to the two North American powerhouses, the gap in the line is significant and getting even longer: The odds opened at +525 and have now stretched to +625.
*Data provided by
*Data provided by
#3
#2
#1
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.