Lead
On Friday, February 19, 2026, the men’s hockey semifinals at the Milano Cortina Winter Games will narrow the field ahead of Sunday’s gold-medal match. Top-seeded Canada (Group A winner) meets fourth-seeded Finland at 10:40 a.m. ET, while the United States (Group C winner) faces third-seeded Slovakia at 3:10 p.m. ET. Both games mark the penultimate round of the tournament that resumed NHL player participation for the first time since 2014, with broad broadcast coverage across Peacock, NBC and Canadian networks.
Key Takeaways
- Canada (3-1-0-0) reached the semifinals after wins of 5-0 and 5-1 and high-scoring victories, finishing first in Group A with a 10-2 rout over France among its results.
- Finland (2-1-1-0) advanced from Group B after a 3-2 overtime win over Switzerland and earlier an 11-0 victory over Italy, entering the semifinal off a dramatic come-from-behind effort.
- The U.S. (3-1-0-0) topped Group C and arrives after a 2-1 overtime win over Sweden; Quinn Hughes has six tournament points with an assist in each game.
- Slovakia (3-0-1-0) finished first in Group B, paced by Juraj Slafkovsky’s seven points in four games, including three goals at the Olympics.
- Standout goaltending: Juuse Saros has a 1.49 GAA and .938 save percentage through the tournament; Jordan Binnington has delivered timely stops for Canada.
- Rising star Macklin Celebrini leads the tournament with five goals and has been among the top NHL midrange shooters this season with 15 midrange goals.
- Semifinal start times: Canada–Finland at 10:40 a.m. ET and U.S.–Slovakia at 3:10 p.m. ET, with coverage on Peacock/NBC and multiple Canadian outlets.
Background
The Milano Cortina 2026 Games restored NHL participation in the Olympic men’s tournament for the first time since Sochi 2014, reshaping rosters and expectations. Many nations arrived with lineups built around NHL talent, changing competitive balance and increasing public and broadcast interest. Pre-tournament analyses flagged Canada and the United States as favorites due to depth and scoring, but early results showed smaller hockey nations and disciplined defensive teams could upset expectations.
Group play produced contrasting narratives: Canada opened strongly with decisive wins and a narrow overtime test against Czechia, while Finland recovered from an opening loss to Slovakia to claim a semifinal spot. Slovakia’s balanced, team-driven approach propelled it to the top of Group B, and the U.S. looked authoritative despite a close call with Sweden. Coaches and national programs have emphasized short turnarounds and roster management as critical factors in a compressed Olympic schedule.
Main Event
Canada vs. Finland (10:40 a.m. ET): Canada enters with a star-studded forward group and goaltender Jordan Binnington answering early questions with clutch saves, including a breakaway stop on Martin Necas in the late third period of the OT win over Czechia. Macklin Celebrini has led Canada offensively with five goals in the tournament; his pace and midrange shooting have been a consistent threat. Finland relies on Juuse Saros, who through the tournament posted a 1.49 GAA and .938 save percentage, and on timely scoring from its top lines to match Canada’s depth.
Game flow could hinge on early momentum: Canada benefits if it scores first and forces Finland into a chase, while Finland’s path requires Saros to sustain elite netminding and for the Finns to replicate the urgency they showed in the third period of their OT win over Switzerland. Special teams, physical matchups and timely line matchups will be decisive given both teams’ distinct strengths—Canadian depth versus Finnish structure and goaltending.
United States vs. Slovakia (3:10 p.m. ET): The U.S. brings firepower across lines and a defensively sound group, anchored by goaltending performances that include Connor Hellebuyck’s tournament numbers (2-1-0-0; 0.98 GAA; .958 save percentage in three starts). Quinn Hughes has been central to U.S. playmaking, racking up six points with assists in each game. Slovakia’s attack has been balanced — 12 players registered points in the win over Germany — and Juraj Slafkovsky’s seven points have been a driving factor.
Expect a tactical contest: Slovakia aims to frustrate elite attackers through pressure and structure, forcing turnovers and counterattacks; the U.S. must exercise patience and rely on depth to break through. Timing of line deployments and how each side manages defensive zone coverage will likely determine late-game scenarios.
Analysis & Implications
The semifinals are a test of depth versus structure. Canada’s offensive depth and NHL-season production give it an edge in five-on-five scoring and secondary chances, but that advantage can be neutralized by strong goaltending and disciplined defensive coverage. If Finland’s Saros repeats his tournament form, Canada will need to convert on early chances and avoid allowing transition opportunities.
On the U.S.–Slovakia side, the dynamic is similar but with different matchups: the U.S. has top-end skating and puck-transport defenders like Quinn Hughes who create offense from the back end, while Slovakia’s system-driven approach seeks to clog lanes and create odd-man rushes. Special teams efficiency should be a focal point; one power-play goal could swing momentum in either game.
Beyond medals, these semifinals carry roster and program implications: strong Olympic performances can accelerate young players’ profiles (e.g., Celebrini, Slafkovsky) and influence club usage back in the NHL. For national programs, the results will shape evaluation of coaching strategies under short-tournament pressure and inform Olympic-era development priorities through the next World Championships cycle.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Group Record | Top Olympic Point Leader | Notable Goaltending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 3-1-0-0 (Group A winner) | Macklin Celebrini — 5 goals | Jordan Binnington — clutch saves |
| Finland | 2-1-1-0 (Group B second) | — | Juuse Saros — 1.49 GAA, .938 SV% |
| United States | 3-1-0-0 (Group C winner) | Quinn Hughes — 6 points (1G,5A) | Connor Hellebuyck — 0.98 GAA, .958 SV% |
| Slovakia | 3-0-1-0 (Group B winner) | Juraj Slafkovsky — 7 points (3G,4A) | — |
The table highlights records and leaders entering the semifinals; Canada’s scoring depth contrasts with Finland’s netminder-led resilience and Slovakia’s team-balanced scoring. Season-long NHL context underscores these matchups: Celebrini’s NHL season totals (81 points: 28 goals, 53 assists in 55 games) and Hughes’ 57 points (5 goals, 52 assists in 52 games) indicate carryover form. Goaltending figures like Saros’ tournament numbers differ markedly from his NHL regular-season rates (3.20 GAA, .892 SV% in 44 starts), suggesting tournament conditions and team defense have influenced short-sample outcomes.
Reactions & Quotes
Team and pundit responses have focused on execution and composure. Below are concise representative remarks reported by team media and coverage.
“We have to play our game from the first faceoff and stay disciplined through the third period,”
Team Canada coaching staff (team media comments)
Canada’s coaches stressed early control and defensive responsibility to prevent Finland’s transition chances. The comment was relayed in team media notes and framed as a reminder to capitalize on offensive depth without inviting counterattacks.
“Saros has been a backbone for us; if he keeps that level, we can match anyone,”
Finnish team official (postgame remarks)
Finland emphasized reliance on goaltending and third-period urgency after their overtime comeback against Switzerland. Officials highlighted the need for timely scoring in the semifinal matchup.
“Patience and depth will be key — we’ll look to exploit seams and stay defensively sound,”
U.S. team analyst (media availability)
U.S. staff framed the game-plan around controlled possession and special-teams attention, noting Slovakia’s compact structure and ability to force mistakes under pressure.
Unconfirmed
- Lineup adjustments: Final line combinations and any late scratches have not been fully confirmed for either semifinal as of kickoff times and could shift coaching matchups.
- Injury status: There have been no official long-term injury updates published; short-term fatigue or undisclosed ailments among depth players remain possible but unverified.
- Strategic changes: Any last-minute tactical changes (e.g., defensive zone matchups or special-teams tweaks) reported in informal team circles are not independently confirmed.
Bottom Line
Friday’s semifinals pit top-seed depth against goaltending and disciplined structure. Canada’s offensive firepower and Binnington’s timely saves present a formidable package, but Finland’s Juuse Saros and collective urgency can make the matchup closer than seeding implies. Expect Canada to push tempo early and Finland to seek low-event, high-efficiency chances.
On the U.S.–Slovakia side, the U.S. depth and puck movement favor them in sustained possession play, while Slovakia’s team balance and Slafkovsky’s scoring form create genuine upset potential. Both games are likely to be decided by tight margins, special-teams execution and late-game composure, with Sunday’s gold-medal match shaped by the semifinal outcomes.
Sources
- NHL.com — media coverage and tournament preview (sports media)
- Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026) — official schedule and event information (organizer)
- IIHF — international federation coverage and tournament context (governing body)