United States looks to dethrone Canada at NHL-attended Games: ‘Got to beat the best’

MILAN – Matthew Tkachuk is well aware of the history.

The feisty American winger taunted German superstar Leon Draisaitl earlier in the Olympic tournament, chirping “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” in a viral hot-mic moment.

But on the sport’s biggest international stage, it’s the United States that has long played second fiddle in the men’s game — to Canada.

“They’ve had the success in pretty much all the Olympics that NHL players have been going to,” said Tkachuk, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers. “If you’re going to get through to your goal, you’re going to probably have to go through them.”

In a years-in-the-making gold-medal matchup Sunday at the Milan Cortina Games, Tkachuk and his teammates will have the opportunity to top their northern neighbour in the big game, something several American squads have failed to accomplish in recent decades.

Canada defeated the U.S. in the 2002 and 2010 Olympic finals before capturing gold with its NHL players again in 2014. Spearheaded by generational stars Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, the Canadians also edged the U.S. in a spine-tingling 4 Nations Face-Off title showdown 12 months ago.

A number of American players said the stakes of fighting for an Olympic title are already high.

It’s also clear facing Canada adds even greater significance.

“Makes it very exciting with the history, the two teams bordering each other, a lot of pride in their countries, and as far as hockey goes,” said Auston Matthews, captain of both the U.S. and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“You got to beat the best to win and it’s going to be a good challenge for us.”

The U.S. men’s hockey team is seeking just its third Olympic gold medal since first participating in the Games in 1920.

The Americans will take the ice Sunday exactly 46 years to the day they upset the Soviet Union en route to gold in the famed “Miracle on Ice.” The country also topped the podium in 1960.

The chance to join an exclusive club of Olympic champions is a point U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan has hammered home to his players.

“We tried to bring it to their attention, because I think what it does is it heightens the opportunity that we have,” the New York Rangers coach said after a Saturday session on the practice rink outside Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. “The first medal was in 1960, there were 16 players on the roster: two goalies, four defencemen, 10 forwards. In 1980, there were 20 players on the roster.

“There’s 36 American-born hockey players that have (men’s) gold medals. What an incredible opportunity we have in front of us.”

Canada enters the podium showdown as a slight favourite at most sportsbooks, but recent history suggests it’s anyone’s game.

The two countries split a pair of tightly contested games at 4 Nations, a return to best-on-best action after the NHL skipped the 2018 and 2022 Games.

The U.S. prevailed in a fiery round-robin matchup that featured three fights in the opening nine seconds in Montreal before Canada won the final on McDavid’s overtime winner in Boston.

In Milan, both teams cruised through the preliminary round unbeaten in five games, but faced serious scares in the quarterfinals, with Canada rallying to beat Czechia in overtime and the U.S. needing extra time to hold off Sweden. The Canadians also came from behind to edge Finland 3-2 in Friday’s semifinal, while the Americans rolled past Slovakia 6-2.

“Played it just one year ago,” Tkachuk said. “It’s as tight a hockey as you’re going to find in the world, maybe ever.”

McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Crosby — a game-time decision after sustaining a lower-body injury in the quarterfinals — lead Canada’s offence, while the U.S. attack is speared-headed by Matthews, Jack Eichel and Jack Hughes, among others.

Quinn Hughes anchors a deep American defence corps, and Canada boasts two-time Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar. The U.S. holds a decisive edge in goal with reigning MVP Connor Hellebuyck, though Canada’s Jordan Binnington has proven big-game chops.

No matter the country you cheer for, Sullivan said having the countries meet for gold is a treat for the sport.

“These guys are savants with how they play the game and their creativity,” he said. “As coaches, we have the best seat in the house, and we marvel at what they do out there.

“If you’re a hockey fan, there’s no better game to watch.”

Though none of the U.S. players were alive when captain Mike Eruzione, goalie Jim Craig and coach Herb Brooks led the country to the 1980 gold, the 2004 film “Miracle” inspired many to pick up a stick.

Boston Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy said he’s dreamt of this moment since childhood.

“Since the first time you watched ‘Miracle on Ice,’” he said.

Tkachuk hopes to create another iconic USA Hockey moment on Sunday. Only their powerhouse cross-border rival stands in the way.

“It’s two of probably the best teams ever,” Tkachuk said. “It’s going to be an unbelievable game. We’ve got a lot of respect for the players over there and what they’ve done in the past.

“We want to be the team that comes out on top.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2026.