Olympic Hockey Odds | Favorite Canada, USA Clear Front-Runners After Rosters Released
The wait is almost over, and, according to the Olympic hockey odds, there are two clear front-runners entering the most anticipated international tournament in 12 years.
Canada and Team USA, as they have since last year's 4 Nations Face-Off, sit imperiously on top of the odds leaderboard, with Sweden receiving the third-shortest odds. Let's get into the nooks and crannies as I offer advice on why Canada represents the best bet while also pumping Sweden's tires.
π Olympic hockey odds 2026
The latest 2026 Olympic hockey odds from FanDuel:
| Team | Odds | Implied probability | Profit ($10 bet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | +135 | 42.55% | $13.50 |
| USA | +190 | 34.48% | $19 |
| Sweden | +550 | 15.38% | $55 |
| Finland | +1200 | 7.69% | $120 |
| Czechia | +1400 | 6.25% | $140 |
| Switzerland | +3500 | 1.96% | $350 |
| Slovakia | +7000 | 1.96% | $700 |
| Germany | +7000 | 1.96% | $700 |
| Latvia | +12500 | 0.79% | $1,250 |
| Denmark | +12500 | 0.79% | $1,250 |
| France | +25000 | 0.40% | $2,500 |
| Italy | +25000 | 0.40% | $2,500 |
π¨π¦ Canada remains betting favorite
| Player | Position | NHL team |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Suzuki | Forward | Canadiens |
| Sam Reinhart | Forward | Panthers |
| Bo Horvat | Forward | Islanders |
| Macklin Celebrini | Forward | Sharks |
| Brayden Point | Forward | Lightning |
| Nathan MacKinnon | Forward | Avalanche |
| Brandon Hagel | Forward | Lightning |
| Tom Wilson | Forward | Capitals |
| Mark Stone | Forward | Golden Knights |
| Brad Marchand | Forward | Panthers |
| Anthony Cirelli | Forward | Lightning |
| Sidney Crosby | Forward | Penguins |
| Mitch Marner | Forward | Golden Knights |
| Connor McDavid | Forward | Oilers |
| Travis Sanheim | Defense | Senators |
| Devon Toews | Defense | Avalanche |
| Cale Makar | Defense | Avalanche |
| Thomas Harley | Defense | Stars |
| Shea Theodore | Defense | Golden Knights |
| Josh Morrissey | Defense | Jets |
| Colton Parayko | Defense | Blues |
| Drew Doughty | Defense | Kings |
| Darcy Kuemper | Goaltender | Kings |
| Jordan Binnington | Goaltender | Blues |
| Logan Thompson | Goaltender | Capitals |
You can see why Team Canada remains the betting favorite across the best sports betting sites. Their roster consists of Hart Trophy odds front-runners Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, Vezina Trophy odds favorite Logan Thompson, and Norris Trophy odds runaway favorite Cale Makar.
Canada is so rich in top-tier talent that it didn't deem it necessary to select last season's Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Sam Bennett.
And despite being outplayed by the Americans in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, Canada found a way to win, thanks to their game-breaking talent. In September, I provided analysis on who will win the best-on-best tournament in Italy, explaining why Canada offers the best bet to win gold.
While Canada's odds haven't changed much since, its case to win gold is even stronger. Team USA has been plagued by injuries to its top players, which, in my opinion, will impact proceedings when the tournament starts on Feb. 11.
πΊπΈ Team USA's head-scratching roster decisions
| Player | Position | NHL team |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Boldy | Forward | Wild |
| Kyle Connor | Forward | Jets |
| Jack Eichel | Forward | Golden Knights |
| Jake Guentzel | Forward | Lightning |
| Jack Hughes | Forward | Devils |
| Clayton Keller | Forward | Mammoth |
| Dylan Larkin | Forward | Red Wings |
| Auston Matthews | Forward | Maple Leafs |
| J.T. Miller | Forward | Rangers |
| Brock Nelson | Forward | Avalanche |
| Tage Thompson | Forward | Sabres |
| Brady Tkachuk | Forward | Senators |
| Matthew Tkachuk | Forward | Panthers |
| Vincent Trocheck | Forward | Rangers |
| Brock Faber | Defense | Wild |
| Noah Hanifin | Defense | Golden Knights |
| Quinn Hughes | Defense | Wild |
| Seth Jones | Defense | Panthers |
| Charlie McAvoy | Defense | Bruins |
| Jake Sanderson | Defense | Senators |
| Jaccob Slavin | Defense | Hurricanes |
| Zach Werenski | Defense | Blue Jackets |
| Connor Hellebuyck | Goaltender | Jets |
| Jake Oettinger | Goaltender | Stars |
| Jeremy Swayman | Goaltender | Bruins |
While Team USA is chock-full of elite talent, I'm shocked by some of the decisions general manager Bill Guerin and Co. made. Frankly, I'm surprised it is not a more substantial underdog via the Olympic hockey odds.
I'll start with the players who shouldn't have earned a spot, with both New York Rangers front and center on that list. Both Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller, who are 32 years old, are well past their prime. Neither player is scoring a point per game, with Miller at just 0.63.
The Colorado Avalanche's Brock Nelson is the other player I would have left at home. While he is undoubtedly an invaluable role player in Colorado, Nelson's overall skill set pales in comparison to that of every forward on Team Canada.
Now, on to the snubs.
Leaving Jason Robertson off the team should be considered a criminal act. Despite the perception that he is too one-dimensional, not selecting a player who has 24 goals, tied for fifth with Sidney Crosby and Kirill Kaprizov, is nonsensical. I would have also chosen Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat.
πΈπͺ Team Sweden provides sneaky good betting value
| Player | Position | NHL team |
|---|---|---|
| Jesper Bratt | Forward | Devils |
| Leo Carlsson | Forward | Ducks |
| Joel Eriksson Ek | Forward | Wild |
| Filip Forsberg | Forward | Predators |
| Pontus Holmberg | Forward | Lightning |
| Adrian Kempe | Forward | Kings |
| Gabriel Landeskog | Forward | Avalanche |
| Elias Lindholm | Forward | Bruins |
| William Nylander | Forward | Maple Leafs |
| Elias Pettersson | Forward | Canucks |
| Rickard Rakell | Forward | Penguins |
| Lucas Raymond | Forward | Red Wings |
| Alexander Wennberg | Forward | Sharks |
| Mika Zibanejad | Forward | Rangers |
| Rasmus Andersson | Defense | Flames |
| Philip Broberg | Defense | Blues |
| Jonas Brodin | Defense | Wild |
| Rasmus Dahlin | Defense | Sabres |
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson | Defense | Maple Leafs |
| Gustav Forsling | Defense | Panthers |
| Victor Hedman | Defense | Lightning |
| Erik Karlsson | Defense | Penguins |
| Filip Gustavsson | Goaltender | Wild |
| Jacob Markstrom | Goaltender | Devils |
| Jesper Wallstedt | Goaltender | Wild |
The +550 odds for Team Sweden to win Olympic gold provide excellent value. While the team isn't as star-studded as the USA or Canada, it is replete with winning pedigree.
Their blue line is a who's who of veteran leadership, anchored by Victor Hedman, Gustav Forsling, and Rasmus Andersson. And they have three goaltenders who are more than capable of stealing a one-off elimination game.
Either Jacob Markstrom or Filip Gustavsson will start, but I prefer the latter, who is among the top 13 in goals saved above expected.
While a lack of depth among the forward contingent is one of my primary concerns, they have more than enough top-end goal-scoring talent, accompanied by several superb complementary playmakers.
2026 Winter Olympics hockey FAQs
Who is the betting favorite to win 2026 Winter Olympics?
With +135 odds at FanDuel, Canada is the betting favorite to win the 2026 Winter Olympics. Those odds imply a 42.45% probability, according to our odds calculator.
Who won the last Olympic hockey tournament?
Finland won the Beijing 2022 Olympic tournament. However, it wasn't a best-on-best tournament, with NHL players prohibited from participating.
When is the 2026 Winter Olympic hockey tournament?
The 2026 Winter Olympic hockey tournament takes place from Feb. 11 to Feb. 22.
When is the 2026 Winter Olympic hockey gold medal game?
The gold medal game occurs on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 7:10 a.m. ET.
Who won the last best-on-best Olympic hockey tournament?
Canada won the last best-on-best Olympic hockey tournament in 2014 at the Sochi Olympics.
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