The Storylines Shaping Women’s Hockey at the 2026 Milan Olympics 

We’re now just over a week away from the first puck drop of the 2026 Milan Olympics, and the excitement is really starting to build. If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you’ve already seen some of my Reels breaking down what to expect in Milan — but I also wanted to bring those ideas together here in a longer, more detailed format for anyone who prefers reading over scrolling. 

If you’d like to watch the Reels instead, you can find them here:

• How the tournament is formatted
• Why USA vs. Canada is one of the greatest rivalries in sports
• The contenders to upset USA & Canada in this year’s Olympics
• How the PWHL changes the Olympics

Let’s take a look at the biggest storylines heading into this year’s women’s hockey tournament. 

How the Women’s Hockey Tournament Works 

The Olympic format is a little different from what we see in most international tournaments, so here’s a quick overview. 

The field is split into two unbalanced groups, each with five teams: 

Group A (Top 5 IIHF teams)  

• USA 
• Canada 
• Czechia 
• Finland 
• Switzerland 

Group B (Teams ranked 6–9 + host Italy)  

• Sweden 
• Japan 
• Germany 
• France 
• Italy 

Each team plays every other team in its group once. Points follow the same system used in the PWHL: 

• 3 points — regulation win 
• 2 points — overtime win 
• 1 point — overtime loss 
• 0 points — regulation loss 

These games matter — a lot. After the preliminary round, all five Group A teams and the top three Group B teams advance to the knockout stage. From there, it’s single elimination. One bad night can end a medal run. 

And while USA vs. Canada has been the gold‑medal matchup in all but one Olympics, nothing is guaranteed this year. 

USA vs. Canada: The Rivalry That Defines the Sport 

“Greatest rivalry in sports” gets tossed around often, but in women’s hockey, it’s hard to argue otherwise. 

USA and Canada have met in all but one Olympic gold medal game and all but one world championship final. The history is long, emotional, and full of unforgettable moments — and the intensity only grows when the stakes are highest. 

Team USA won the first Olympic gold in 1998. Canada answered with four straight (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014). USA reclaimed gold in 2018. Canada took it back in 2022. 

If you think the PWHL has shown the peak of their physicality and competitiveness, just wait. Whenever these two meet on Olympic ice, everything gets dialed up. 

They enter Milan as the top two teams once again, but this year’s field is deeper than ever — and the gap is smaller than it’s ever been. 

The Other Contenders Who Could Shake Up the Bracket 

USA and Canada may be the favorites, but several teams have the talent and structure to disrupt the usual script. 

Finland  
Disciplined, structured, and anchored by elite goaltending. They’ve medaled before and know how to frustrate top teams. 

Czechia  
One of the fastest‑rising programs in the world. Fast, creative, confident — and absolutely capable of an upset. 

Switzerland  
Defined by resilience and world‑class goaltending. They’ve shocked the hockey world before and can do it again. 

Japan  
Fast, precise, and relentless on the forecheck. Their style forces mistakes and creates chaos in all the right ways. 

These teams may not have the same history as USA and Canada, but they absolutely have the ability to change the bracket. 

How the PWHL Is Changing the Olympics 

This year’s tournament will look different from every Olympics before it — and the PWHL is the biggest reason why. 

Shared Experience, New Opponents 

Most Olympic players now spend their seasons competing in the PWHL. They’ve trained together, battled each other, and know each other’s tendencies inside and out. That familiarity removes the intimidation factor that once separated USA and Canada from the rest of the field. 

Teams like Czechia, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland have more PWHL players than ever — and they’re coming in confident. 

No More Long Centralization Camps 

Before the PWHL, national teams centralized for months leading into the Olympics. Now, the final PWHL games are on January 28, and the first Olympic games are on February 5. That leaves just one week for teams to travel, adjust, and come together. 

They’ve had camps, Rivalry Series games, and Euro Hockey Tour events — but nothing replaces months of daily practice. 

How teams adapt to this new reality will be one of the biggest storylines of the tournament. 

Game‑Ready Like Never Before 

The flip side? These players are entering the Olympics in peak competitive shape. The PWHL’s pace, physicality, and parity mean they’re already used to tight games, heavy battles, and high‑pressure moments. 

This combination — less centralization but more high‑level competition — is a recipe for the most unpredictable and exciting Olympic tournament we’ve ever seen. 

In Closing 

There is so much to look forward to in Milan. Between the rivalries, the rising contenders, and the impact of the PWHL, this year’s tournament has all the ingredients for something special. 

What storyline are you most excited to follow once the puck drops? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.