After four countries’ 2026 Winter Olympics came to an end yesterday in the Men’s Hockey Tournament, we have reached the quarterfinals. Sweden, Germany, Czechia, and Switzerland all won their qualification-round games to move on and keep their hopes for a medal alive. The four games scheduled for today will all be strong matchups and could make for one of the more exciting days in the tournament.
Germany vs Slovakia (6:10 a.m.)
The first game of the quarterfinals could very well be a tight one, with the difference possibly coming from each team’s goaltending. The Germans pulled off a 5-1 win yesterday over France to get into today’s matchup against Slovakia. Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) continued his strong play in the tournament, tallying three points in their qualifying-round win and spearheading the German offense throughout their time in Italy. Germany has gotten their power play going over the last couple of games and will need to continue that trend when they are given the chance against Slovakia.
They will also need their defense to step up against a more high-powered Slovakian roster, as this will be the toughest offensive group they have played outside of their game against the United States. Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken) has been strong for his home country so far and will be relied on again today.
Slovakia earned an automatic spot in the quarterfinals after taking the top spot in Group B and have been led by youngsters Juraj Slafkovský (Montreal Canadiens) and Dalibor Dvorsky (St. Louis Blues). These two will have to combat and keep up with what Draisaitl and Tim Stützle (Ottawa Senators) do in the offensive zone. The Slovak’s have the depth to go line-for-line with the Germans and have gotten strong goaltending from Minnesota Wild prospect Samuel Hlavaj, who has been a standout in the tournament.
Overall, this game will be a tight one, with both goaltenders playing a key role in determining the outcome. If Germany’s stars can show up in a big game, they have a strong chance to pull off a victory.
Favorite: Germany
Czechia vs Canada (10:40 a.m.)
After their Feb. 12 matchup, in which Canada shut out Czechia 5-0, the Czechs will be looking for a bit of retribution in the quarterfinals. They know what they are up against in the depth and skill of the Canadians on their roster, and will need to find a way to slow them down if they want a real chance to pull off the upset. They had a hard-fought qualification-round win over Denmark yesterday and will need to continue to get strong play from Martin Necas (Colorado Avalanche) and David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins).
The biggest issue for the Czechs in this game is their lack of high-end talent and depth to overpower the Canadians. They will need to play a flawless defensive game and take advantage of any kind of openings in the offensive zone that they are given.
After clinching the top spot in Group A, Canada comes into today’s game looking like the best team in the tournament. As mentioned, they have the high-end talent and depth to beat anyone in this tournament and are led by Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers). McDavid has been off to a torrid pace and has proven why he is one of, if not the best, player in the world of hockey. Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks) has been great in the tournament as well, and the Canadians have seen plenty of production throughout their lineup.
Another strong start from Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), who seems to play his best when he wears his country’s colors, would further help solidify a win for Canada and a spot in the semi-finals.
Favorite: Canada
Switzerland vs Finland (12:10 p.m.)
Leonardo Genoni continues to be one of the brightest spots for Switzerland at this year’s Olympics after putting up a 20-save shutout in their qualifying round win over Italy yesterday. He has been rock solid for the Swiss, while they have gotten solid production from most of their lineup, led by Timo Meier (New Jersey Devils). They will be looking to get past a tough Finland team, who has bounced back strongly from their loss against Slovakia on the opening day of the tournament. Genoni will need another strong game, and the Swiss will need their NHL players to step up to keep a deep Finnish roster at bay.
Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey Tournament
The Finns come into the game having the last automatic bid into the quarterfinals, and have gotten better as the tournament has progressed. Since losing to Slovakia on Feb. 12, they have outscored their opponents 15-1 and have gotten real strong goaltending from Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators). With 12 players having two or more points through their first three games, the Swiss will have their hands full at both ends of the ice, and Finland has the depth to make this game a pain for them.
Favorite: Finland
Sweden vs United States (3:10 p.m.)
In probably the most exciting matchup of the day, two powerhouse countries faceoff when Sweden and the United States square off for a spot in the semi-finals. Sweden, like Finland, has bounced back well from their lone preliminary-round loss, and have gotten themselves on the right page at the right time. Lucas Raymond (Detroit Red Wings) continues his great play after three more assists against Latvia yesterday. He currently sits second in points in the tournament, only behind McDavid. As with other countries that have a plethora of NHL players, Sweden has had plenty of production across the board.
Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond (0-3—3) became the first skater for Team Sweden to post three points in consecutive #WinterOlympic games with NHL participation and helped his country advance into the quarterfinals at #MilanoCortina2026.#NHLStats: https://t.co/zTDkQzi9MU pic.twitter.com/OsUjFfvsWG
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) February 17, 2026
The biggest question mark for Sweden throughout the tournament has been their goaltending. They struggled a bit earlier on in the tournament, but Jacob Markström (New Jersey Devils) has looked stronger over the past two games and will need to be once again against the Americans.
On the flip side, the Americans have gotten solid goaltending all tournament from Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets), who will surely be the starter today. While they have not seen the depth of their lineup produce a ton offensively, the United States has seen strong play from their entire lineup at both ends of the ice. They have depth with players like Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres), and even Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils) to counter what the Swedes have, and they can produce when given the chance, too.
The United States will need their top stars like Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild), and the Tkachuk brothers to do their thing, while hoping the bottom six of the lineup can be a difference-maker. This game could come down to who has the better game between Hellebuyck and Markström in the net.
Favorite: United States
Push for Gold Ramps Up
In win-or-go-home games from here on out, the push for a gold medal has hit its full stride. Can a team like Czechia pull off a major upset over Canada? Could the Sweden vs. United States game end up being a “game of the tournament”- type game? Time will shortly tell, but either way, the excitement and energy level will be taken to another level starting today.
