The ‘Heated Rivalry' effect at the Olympics: How to watch U.S. men's ice hockey

Since the series debuted in November, “Heated Rivalry” has catalyzed a surge of new hockey fans worldwide.

While we don’t know of any romance tropes on the men’s ice in Milan, there are plenty of storylines to follow when the U.S. men’s ice hockey team opens competition Feb. 11.

Going for gold?

The U.S. Men’s Olympic Team is not entering the Olympics as gold-medal favorites. The Americans haven’t landed on the podium since 2010, when they nabbed a silver medal in Vancouver after falling to Canada in the final match. They haven’t won gold since the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.

This year, with the help of active NHL players for the first time since 2014, Team USA is hoping the gold drought comes to an end.

They’ll have to get through Canada to do so.

In February 2025, Team USA joined Canada, Finland, and Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off, an international tournament that gave fans a preview of what to expect in this year’s Games.

Once again, Team Canada finished on top, with the United States in second place.

The two teams will begin their quests for Olympic gold in different groups, and a potential matchup would come in the tournament’s knockout rounds.

How to watch Team USA & Team Canada’s opening games at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Latvia vs. USA (Men’s Group C) begins Thursday, Feb. 12 at 3:10 p.m. EST.

You can watch the game live on USA Network.

Czechia vs. Canada (Men’s Group A) begins Thursday, Feb. 12 at 10:40 a.m. EST.

You can watch the game live on USA Network.

Looking ahead

Saturday, February 14

12:30 a.m. ET: Canada vs. Switzerland (Men’s Group A) on USA Network

3:10 p.m. ET: USA vs. Denmark (Men’s Group C) on USA Network

Sunday, February 15

10:40 a.m. ET: Canada vs. France (Men’s Group A) on USA Network

3:10 p.m. ET: USA vs. Germany (Men’s Group C) on USA Network

Tuesday, February 17

12:15 p.m. ET: Men’s Qualification Playoff on USA Network

3:10 p.m. ET: Men’s Qualification Playoff on USA Network

Wednesday, February 18

10:40 a.m. ET: Men’s Quarterfinal on USA Network

1 p.m. ET: Men’s Quarterfinal on USA Network

Friday, February 20

11:50 a.m. ET: Men’s Semifinal on USA Network

Saturday, February 21

2:40 p.m. ET: Men’s Bronze Final on USA Network

Sunday, February 22

8:10 a.m. ET: Men’s Gold Final on NBC