USA vs Germany Live: Winter Olympics 2026 Men’s Hockey Group C Showdown
Milan, Italy: Team USA takes on Germany in the final preliminary round game of Group C at the Winter Olympics 2026. The Americans aim to finish a perfect 3-0 in group play, while Germany looks to bounce back after a shock defeat to Latvia.
Match Details
- Date: February 16, 2026
- Time: 9:10 PM CET | 3:10 PM ET | 12:10 PM PT
- Venue: Milan Cortina 2026 Arena
- Live Streaming: USA Network, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com
USA Preview: Chasing Group C Perfection
Team USA has looked dominant so far in the tournament. They defeated Latvia 5-1 in the opener and followed it with a 6-3 win over Denmark. Despite some struggles from backup goalie Jeremy Swayman, the offense has been firing on all cylinders.
Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start in goal today, bringing stability between the pipes.
Top USA Performers (After 2 Games)
- Jack Eichel – 4 Points
- Brock Nelson – 3 Points
- Jack Hughes – 3 Points
- Matthew Tkachuk – 3 Points
- Quinn Hughes – 3 Points
Brady Tkachuk has also energized the squad with physical play and clutch scoring.
Germany Preview: Dangerous Underdogs
Germany opened the tournament with a 3-1 win over Denmark but suffered a surprising 4-3 loss to Latvia. Now, they face pressure to deliver against the tournament favorites.
Germany’s roster features elite NHL talent capable of upsetting any team.
Key German Stars
- Leon Draisaitl
- Tim Stützle
- Moritz Seider
- Philipp Grubauer
- JJ Peterka
Draisaitl remains one of the top players in the world, while Seider has emerged as an elite two-way defenseman.
Head-to-Head Record (Olympics)
The United States and Germany have met 10 times in Olympic men’s hockey history. Team USA has won nine of those matchups. Their most recent meeting came in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where USA secured a 3-2 victory.
Tournament Format Explained
The 12 teams are divided into three groups. Group winners and the best second-place team advance directly to the quarterfinals. The remaining teams compete in a play-in round.
- Regulation win – 3 points
- OT win – 2 points
- OT loss – 1 point
- No ties allowed
USA Olympic Hockey History
Team USA first competed in Olympic men’s hockey in 1920. The Americans famously won gold in 1980 in the “Miracle on Ice” and also claimed gold in 1960. Since NHL players joined in 1998, USA has earned two silver medals (2002, 2010).
Recent Olympic Medal Winners
- 2022 Beijing: Gold – Finland
- 2018 Pyeongchang: Gold – Russia
- 2014 Sochi: Gold – Canada
- 2010 Vancouver: Gold – Canada
Prediction: Who Has the Edge?
On paper, Team USA holds a clear advantage in depth and offensive firepower. However, Germany’s elite trio of Draisaitl, Seider and Grubauer makes them a legitimate threat. If Germany can control tempo and receive strong goaltending, an upset is possible.
Prediction: USA 4-2 Germany
Final Thoughts
This Group C finale could shape the quarterfinal bracket significantly. A win secures USA a strong position, but goal differential may still impact seeding. Germany, meanwhile, needs momentum heading into knockout play.
Stay tuned for live updates and post-match analysis from the Winter Olympics 2026 men’s hockey tournament.