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.

Slovakia’s men’s national hockey team has featured consistent rosters through the years. The team has featured players such as Miroslav Satan, Peter Bondra, Zigmund Palffy, Marian Gaborik, Zdeno Chara,

Slovakia opened the 2026 Winter Olympics with a decisive 4–1 victory over defending champion Finland, powered by two goals from Juraj Slafkovský and a 38-save performance from Samuel Hlavaj.

It’s been a lethargic start to the Olympics for Sweden’s men’s hockey club. As a recap: The Swedes let the Italians, who began the tournament with 100/1 gold medal odds, not only strike first, but settled for a 5-2 victory after spending 60 minutes of fruitless target practice.

As men's hockey got underway at the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina on Wednesday, the Washington Capitals watched Martin Fehervary make his Olympic debut with Slovakia.

Canada is expected to blow out France on Sunday to close out the top spot in Group A. Czechia struggled a bit with France. The Czechs have up three goals in the first six minutes of the second period on Friday. Czechia rebounded to score the final three goals and earn a 6-3 win.

There are few events that foster a feeling of national pride more than the Olympics, but that desire to support one's nation led to a lapse in judgement from a wanted man in Italy.

Veteran spark plug Tomas Tatar is captaining Slovakia's surprising Olympic surge, leading his team to an undefeated start with veteran poise and offensive firepower.

Slovakia and Finland face off in this Group B men's ice hockey matchup during the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday.