USA vs. Canada odds, prediction, time: 2026 Winter Olympics women's ice hockey final picks from proven expert
CBS Sports
by
Ross Kelly
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The highly anticipated 2026 Winter Olympics women's ice hockey final will feature a clash between the United States and Canada, two of the sport's most dominant teams. This matchup marks their sixth encounter for an Olympic gold medal, with Canada leading the series 4-2 historically. However, in this tournament, the U.S. has been unstoppable, winning all six games by at least four goals, including a decisive 5-0 victory over Canada in the preliminary round.
SportsLine expert Mike Tierney predicts a high-scoring game, forecasting "over" on the 5.5 goal line. He cites the teams' recent history—six meetings averaging 7.2 total goals—and notes that both teams have shown strong offensive capabilities throughout the tournament. The U.S. has scored at least five goals in every game, while Canada, bolstered by the return of star Marie-Philip Poulin, is expected to mount a stronger offense than their earlier loss.
The puck drops on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. ET from Milan's Unipol Dome, with the U.S. listed as a -480 favorite and Canada at +360 underdog. The game offers a compelling narrative for sports enthusiasts, blending fierce rivalry with the potential for an explosive contest. For those interested in betting or simply following Olympic action, this final promises to deliver excitement and drama, making it a must-watch event.
Tierney's prediction highlights the importance of tracking expert analysis, especially given his past success in forecasting medal counts and game outcomes.
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/19/2026