2026 Winter Olympics Men's Hockey: Playoff Round Kicks Off
Following a series of compelling preliminary games, the 2026 Winter Olympics men's ice hockey tournament enters its highly anticipated playoff stage. The qualification matchups begin early Tuesday, setting the stage for Wednesday's quarterfinals. Semifinal action is scheduled for Thursday, culminating in the gold medal game on Sunday. This progression promises a thrilling conclusion to the tournament, with nations vying for Olympic glory.
The initial four contests on Tuesday will determine which teams advance, while those eliminated will conclude their Olympic journey. Faceoffs for these crucial games are slated to begin at 6:10 a.m. ET. With the stakes elevated and national pride on the line, fans can expect intense competition and strategic gameplay throughout the playoff rounds. The path to Olympic gold is now clearly defined, and the pressure is on for each participating nation.
Canada and United States Lead the Pack in Playoff Odds
Canada enters the playoff round as the clear favorite, holding the top seed and boasting odds of -140 to secure the gold medal. Close behind is the United States, positioned at +180. These two powerhouses are expected to be strong contenders throughout the tournament, but several other nations are poised to challenge their dominance. The early playoff games will provide valuable insights into each team's form and potential for a deep run.
Tuesday's games present a range of betting opportunities, with odds reflecting the perceived strength of each team. Italy faces a significant challenge against Switzerland at +980 versus -2100. France is a considerable underdog against Germany, with odds of +550 to -820. Denmark is a +320 underdog against Czechia (-420), and Latvia is a +660 underdog against Sweden (-1050). These matchups highlight the disparity in perceived skill and offer diverse options for those looking to place wagers.
Expert Analysis from Matthew Severance
Before placing any 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey playoff bets or formulating predictions, experts recommend considering the insights of Matthew Severance. Severance, a seasoned hockey analyst, recently concluded a remarkable NHL season, finishing with a record of 235-155-21, resulting in a profit of $2,022. His impressive performance continued into the Olympic break, where he maintained a 26-12 record on money-line picks, generating a return of $1,326 for $100 players. Now, Severance has focused his expertise on the Olympic playoff rounds, sharing his analysis exclusively at SportsLine.
Severance is currently recommending an Under 6.5 total goals bet for the Latvia versus Sweden matchup, scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET. This recommendation stems from the teams' recent history, which has seen four of their last five encounters fall below the 6.5 goal threshold, averaging just five combined goals per game. Given that a single victory is sufficient for advancement, regardless of goal differential, Severance anticipates a more conservative approach from both teams, prioritizing energy conservation over aggressive late-game scoring. "There is no need to be pushing hard up three goals or the like in the third period. Save as much energy as possible. Thus, I'd probably lean Under (but no longer than 6.5)."
Tuesday's Playoff Schedule and Odds
Here's a breakdown of Tuesday's playoff schedule and associated odds, courtesy of FanDuel (subject to change):
- 6:10 a.m. ET: Italy (+980) vs. Switzerland (-2100)
- 6:10 a.m. ET: France (+550) vs. Germany (-820)
- 10:40 a.m. ET: Denmark (+320) vs. Czechia (-420)
- 3:10 p.m. ET: Latvia (+660) vs. Sweden (-1050)
Severance also provides puck line and over/under picks for all four games, including a bold prediction involving a team that finished last in the preliminary group. For a comprehensive look at his playoff picks and best bets, visit SportsLine.
