What to Watch in the Preliminary Round of Women’s Hockey at Milan 2026 

We’ve nearly made it — the preliminary round of women’s hockey at the 2026 Milan Olympics starts tomorrow, and I can’t wait. 
 
If you want a refresher on the biggest storylines shaping this year’s tournament, you can check out last week’s preview here.
 
Today, we’re zooming in on the preliminary round: the schedule, the matchups, and what to watch for as the tournament gets underway. 

Group A 

All five Group A teams automatically advance to the knockout round, which sometimes leads people to overlook these early games. But seeding matters — and finishing at the top of Group A can make the path to the gold medal game a little smoother. 

Top Matchups in Group A 

USA vs. Canada — Tuesday, 2/10   
This is the game that usually decides the top seed in Group A. Historically, both teams win their other preliminary games, so everything comes down to this matchup. That could change this year — the field is deeper than ever — but regardless of the stakes, USA vs. Canada at the Olympics is always must‑watch hockey. The intensity never disappoints. 
 
Czechia vs. Finland — Sunday, 2/8   
This rivalry gets a little spicier every year. Czechia and Finland have traded places as the “best of the rest” behind USA and Canada, and this matchup often determines the third seed. Both teams are loaded with PWHL talent, and both are fully capable of surprising one (or both) of the North American giants. If recent history holds, this will be one of the most competitive games of the entire preliminary round. 

Team USA’s Preliminary Round Schedule 
For those cheering on Team USA, here’s the full slate of games: 

• Thursday, 2/5: vs. Czechia — 9:40 AM CT 
• Saturday, 2/7: vs. Finland — 9:40 AM CT 
• Monday, 2/9: vs. Switzerland — 1:40 PM CT 
• Tuesday, 2/10: vs. Canada — 1:10 PM CT 

Group B 

Group B has much more on the line — only the top three teams advance to the knockout round. And while the World Championships aren’t a perfect comparison (because of promotion/relegation), recent results still give us some clues about what to expect. 
 
Recent Group B Highlights 

• 2025: Sweden topped Group B and pushed Finland to the brink in the knockouts, falling 3–2. 
• 2024: Germany won Group B and nearly upset Czechia, losing just 1–0. 
• 2023: Finland (then in Group B) finished first and narrowly lost to Czechia 2–1. Sweden, the third‑place team, forced Canada to overtime in a 3–2 thriller. 

The takeaway? Group B teams are unpredictable, competitive, and absolutely capable of giving Group A teams trouble. One of these years, a Group B team is going to break through with a knockout upset — and this might be the year. 
 
Italy is the wildcard as the host nation. They’re unlikely to push for an upset, but home‑ice energy can do funny things. It’s worth keeping an eye on how they respond to the moment. 

Key Matchups in Group B 
It’s tough to predict the exact order of finish, but Germany, Sweden, and Japan look like the strongest bets to advance. Their head‑to‑head games will likely decide the group. 

• Thursday, 2/5: Sweden vs. Germany — 5:10 AM CT 
• Saturday, 2/7: Germany vs. Japan — 5:10 AM CT 
• Tuesday, 2/10: Japan vs. Sweden — 5:10 AM CT 

These are early morning games for those of us in the U.S., but they’ll be worth catching on replay or watching highlights later in the day. 

Wrapping Up 

Both groups have plenty of intrigue, but this year feels different — especially in Group A. Past Olympics have followed a fairly predictable script, yet the field in Milan is deeper, faster, and more competitive than ever. I’m so excited to see how these early games unfold and which teams set the tone for the rest of the tournament. 
 
Which matchup are you most excited to watch, and which one feels ripe for an upset? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.