The men’s Olympic hockey preliminary round continues on Sunday, as Latvia faces Denmark in a crucial Group C matchup at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena in Milan. These teams have one combined win so far in this tournament, but one of them has to win here and there is a chance for advancement out of Group C for the winner of this game. Before the puck is dropped in Milan, you can find my Latvia vs Denmark prediction right here.
Our Latvia vs Denmark Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 4/5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Latvia vs Denmark
- Date & Time: Sunday, February 15, 2026, 3:10 p.m. ET
- Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy
- Broadcast: Peacock
Key Storylines
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Latvia enters this game at 1-1-0 on the tournament after a hard-fought 4-3 win over Germany, led by two goals from Dans Locmelis and strong play by goaltender Arturs Silovs. That result snapped a long cycle without Olympic victories and injected confidence into the Latvian squad. They had previously suffered a 5-1 defeat to the United States, where they were outmatched by a more physical and talented lineup.
Denmark’s tournament has been a struggle so far. They lost 3-1 to Germany in their opener, with offense and defense struggling to generate sustained pressure. A subsequent matchup against the U.S. saw Denmark fall 6-3 despite an early lead, showing they can compete but that they have difficulty closing things out against stronger rosters.
Goaltending
Latvia has cycled through goaltenders, with Silovs making an impact against Germany. His 26-save performance steadied Latvia in key moments, but consistency remains a question. Elvis Merzlikins is an option, but his form has been less impressive historically, and Latvia may stick with Silovs to build continuity. Denmark’s goaltending situation is also a factor, as they will likely go with Frederik Andersen in the crease here.
Key skaters
Latvia’s offense has been paced by Locmelis and support from Zemgus Girgensons and Renars Krastenbergs. Their ability to chip in timely goals against Germany showed the offensive potential when deployed correctly. Denmark will lean on contributors like Nick Olesen, Nicholas B. Jensen, and other forwards to create scoring opportunities. While Denmark has yet to produce a dominant individual performance in these Games, their depth and shot creation suggest they can outwork Latvia over 60 minutes.
Latvia vs Denmark Model Projection
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Final Thoughts
