Saturday’s matchup between the United States men’s hockey team and Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina is a great chance for the US to get to 2-0 in this tournament. Team USA arrives after a commanding 5-1 opening victory over Latvia, showcasing their depth and scoring prowess early in the group stage. Denmark suffered a 3-1 loss to Germany in their opener, but bring several National Hockey League players to the tournament that could make things interesting offensively. Before the puck drops in Milan, continue reading to get my USA vs Denmark prediction.
Our USA vs Denmark Pick
Pick:
Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: USA vs Denmark
- Date & Time: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 3:10 PM Eastern Time
- Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy
- Broadcast: Peacock
Key Storylines
Recent form
Team USA dominated its opening game with a 5-1 victory over Latvia, a performance marked by balanced scoring from stars such as Brock Nelson, Auston Matthews, and the Tkachuk brothers. Denmark’s opening game was less successful, as they fell 3-1 to a strong German squad despite generating a high volume of shots. That loss leaves questions about Denmark’s ability to control play against high-end competition and those questions will likely get louder against Team USA.
Goaltending
USA’s goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, was excellent in the Latvia game, turning aside most of Latvia’s 34 shots and providing a backbone for the team’s defense. Although his club season has had poor results in Winnipeg, he appears sharp on the Olympic stage so far. Denmark’s goaltending has faced heavy pressure, and while their goalie made plenty of saves, the defense in front of him has struggled at times to limit high-danger chances.
Key skaters
The US roster is stacked with NHL talent, including Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and Tage Thompson, players capable of changing the course of a game with a single shift. Denmark counters with a handful of notable NHL forwards like Nikolaj Ehlers and Oliver Bjorkstrand, but they lack the same depth. The Americans’ offensive balance gives them a clear edge in generating scoring chances throughout the lineup.
USA vs Denmark Model Projection
Score Projection:
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Final Thoughts
