Can Team USA Dethrone Canada? Here’s How to Watch the Women’s Hockey Gold Match

Arguably the most exciting moment of the 2026 Winter Olympics has finally arrived, as the Women’s Hockey Gold Medal game is here. Team USA is once again taking on Canada, hoping to defeat its northern neighbor and avenge the 2022 loss to Canada in Beijing. 

Now the rivalry between these two teams runs deep, all the way back to when women’s hockey became an official event of the Winter Olympics back in 1998. With the exception of the 2006 Games, the gold matchup has always boiled down to Team USA and Team Canada. While the US holds the distinct honor of winning the very first gold medal in the 98 event, Canada has won  5 of the 7 gold medals awarded in women’s hockey. So will the US prevent Canada from adding another to its collection, or will Canada prove they have what it takes to remain on top? 

What Time Does Team USA Play Canada in the Women's Hockey Gold Match?

The Women’s Hockey Final is scheduled to start at 1:10 pm ET on Thursday, February 19. If you plan to watch the game on traditional cable/satellite TV, you can do so by tuning into USA Network. If streaming is your preferred method, the game streams on Peacock. 

Is Team USA or Team Canada the Favorite to Win the Gold?

The Canadians may have more gold medals in women’s hockey, but Team USA is the favorite to win this year. According to CBS Sports, “The Americans are -500 favorites (risk $500 to win $100) in the latest Olympics women's hockey odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Canada is the +375 underdog, with the over/under for total goals at 5.5 (+108/-132).”

And on a final note, this matchup will actually serve as the final Olympic Games for Team USA’s captain, Hilary Knight. She previously announced that 2026 will be her fifth and final Games, and that’s a major blow to the sport. Per NBC, at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championships, she holds the record for all-time goals, points, and assists. Plus, she holds the record for the most world championship appearances by any hockey player, and most Olympic appearances by a women’s hockey player. Knight will definitely be missed.

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