Welcome to Last Word On Hockey’s Predictions from the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Each day, our writers look at the games and give in-depth analysis.

Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond continued his impressive start to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Two teams with differing expectations meet in the first round of the knockout stage, as Lucas Raymond and Sweden take on Latvia in the men’s playoff qualifiers at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Pittsburgh Penguins' goaltender Artūrs Šilovs posted a 26-save effort to help Latvia beat Leon Draisaitl and Team Germany in an Olympic preliminary round matchup

It’s been a long time coming for Latvia. They stunned Germany, 4-3, in men’s hockey on Saturday, marking their first win in the competition at a Winter Olympics since 2014, when they beat Switzerland.

Erik Karlsson said Team Sweden came to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 knowing they would eventually play the United States. As the Swedish defenseman once famously said, the time is nigh.

Nelson's goal was the lid lifter the U.S. men's hockey team needed to seize control of the match and get its quest for Olympic gold off to an encouraging start.

Brock Nelson led Team USA to a commanding 5-1 victory over Latvia in their 2026 Milan Cortina Games opener, scoring twice in a dominant ice hockey performance.

Team USA's quest for its first Olympic men's hockey gold since 1980 began against Latvia at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, with the B/R staff on hand to deliver live analysis and reaction.

The United States and Latvia face off in this Group C men's ice hockey matchup during the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday.