Canada edged the United States in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, a tournament that was designed to whet fans’ appetite for the return of NHL players to the Winter Olympics in 2026.
A little more than a year later, the NHL-stocked 2026 Winter Olympics are down to one game, and the USA and Canada will meet again for international hockey supremacy.
Both countries, not wanting to tinker with a successful formula, have brought back most of the players from the 4 Nations. But there are some key differences in the roster and teams’ statuses. Here is a look:
Quinn Hughes is available for the USA
The mobile defenseman was hurt and couldn’t play in the 4 Nations. But he has been a standout in the Olympics, playing major minutes, moving the puck and scoring in overtime against Sweden. His brother, Jack, is thriving with Quinn on the team.
Tage Thompson has been a force
The Buffalo Sabres star wasn’t named to the 4 Nations but he made this year’s team after helping the USA win the 2025 world championships. He has been dangerous on the power play and elsewhere because of his size, speed and stickhandling. He sat out the third period of the semifinals with an injury but will play in the gold medal game.
Macklin Celebrini is a second-year wonder
He was an 18-year-old NHL rookie and wasn’t part of the 4 Nations, but he made Team Canada at 19. He’s fourth in the NHL in scoring and is playing on the top line with Connor McDavid, plus Nathan MacKinnon in the last game. He has five goals and 10 points in Milan. Nick Suzuki, another newcomer, scored to send the quarterfinal to overtime. Tom Wilson has been a physical presence who was ejected for a rare Olympics fight.
The USA is healthy this time
Charlie McAvoy was sent home early from the 4 Nations with a ‘significant’ shoulder injury. Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk were held out of the third game and Brady Tkachuk left that game early. All three played in the championship game, but Matthew Tkachuk was dealing with a sports hernia and didn’t come off the bench after the second intermission. He missed the rest of the regular season, won a second Stanley Cup, then had offseason surgery.
Early this season, the USA was plagued with injury as the first six players named sat out some games, including McAvoy with a broken jaw. But everyone healed up before the Olympics and the USA team’s health seems good going into Sunday’s game. Thompson’s appearance adds to that.
Canada is having health issues
Sidney Crosby won’t play in the gold medal game, a big loss for Team Canada. He was hurt in the quarterfinals and also missed the semifinal. Defenseman Josh Morrissey is hurt and hasn’t played since the first game.