The 2026 Olympic men’s hockey tournament group stages are complete, and the hype surrounding the inclusion of NHL players has more than lived up to expectations with high-level hockey on display in Italy. Below are the power rankings as the men’s hockey enters the knockout stages at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
1. Canada
Canada, which entered the tournament as the favorite, retains its position after a perfect round-robin. They have the maximum nine points out of a possible nine. Connor McDavid is dominating the Games with nine points across nine periods. The Canadians have outscored opponents 20-3. Canada has scored the most goals and conceded the fewest in this tournament and, as such, their plus-17 goal differential leads the way. Canada is automatically through to the quarterfinals as one of the four top-ranked teams.
2. United States
The U.S. entered this competition widely considered Canada’s main rival for gold, and it remains that way. The U.S. has gotten off to a perfect 3-0 start. They have not quite matched Canada’s level of dominance after a few slow starts, but they were never truly challenged. Against Denmark, they found themselves down 1-0 and 2-1, but went on to outscore their opponents 5-1 and earn a comfortable win. The United States is automatically through to the quarterfinals.
3. Finland
After getting off to a rough start to their tournament, Finland has done a marvelous job responding. They earned a win in a heavyweight battle with their Scandinavian rivals from Sweden, and they doled out an 11-0 drubbing to host-nation Italy. The margin of victory was crucial as it helped them secure an automatic spot in the quarterfinals due to goal differential — the only non-group winner able to do so. The loss to Slovakia to open the tournament already feels distant and Finland is riding momentum into the knockout rounds.
4. Sweden
Despite leading Slovakia 5-3 late in the third period, Sweden was forced to play without a goaltender while chasing a sixth goal, which would have been enough to see them automatically through to the quarterfinals. Sweden must now play an extra qualification game, which is bad news for Latvia — their upcoming opponent. Sweden has a star-filled roster comprised entirely of NHL players, and due to a slip-up in a rivalry game against Finland, Sweden finds itself fighting for a spot in the quarterfinals. Sweden's six points in round-robin play tied for the most in the group, the cards just did not fall their way in tie breakers. But there should be no doubt they are the best team playing in the qualification round. Their match against Latvia will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 3:10 p.m. ET.
5. Slovakia
Group B was a battle with three teams finishing 2-1. Slovakia edged Finland and Sweden to win the group in a three-way tiebreaking scenario in which it had the best head-to-head goal differential among the three. They enjoyed an extremely strong start with a 4-1 win over Finland but have tapered off in recent games. They were caught in a tight game against Italy and managed to sneak by 3-2 before falling to Sweden. This is a solid Slovakian team. Sweden and Finland probably have a better chance to go farther in the knockout stages. But Slovakia has already proven that they are capable of knocking off a top team. Slovakia is automatically through to the quarterfinals as the winner of Group B.
6. Switzerland
Switzerland and No. 7-ranked Czechia are extremely even. The only difference here is the overtime goal that the Swiss scored against Czechia to post five points in Group A and finish second, one spot and one point above Czechia. Switzerland came into this tournament not expected to do much, and despite losing difference-maker Kevin Fiala, they still finished second behind Canada. Switzerland is rewarded for its overtime win with a matchup against the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, Italy, and a smoother path to the quarterfinals. They take on Italy Tuesday at 6:10 a.m. ET.
7. Czechia
The heartbreaking overtime loss to Switzerland is the difference between a favorable matchup against Italy and their more challenging tilt against Denmark, which is capable of an upset. Czechia entered the tournament as a dark horse capable of causing problems, and despite their critical loss to Switzerland, they could still go on a run in the knockout stages. Czechia takes on Denmark Tuesday at 10:40 a.m. ET.
8. Germany
Germany entered the tournament as the clear favorite to finish behind the U.S. in Group C. Despite a loss to Latvia, they were able to achieve those expectations by virtue of a tiebreaker. Germany is a team that has a chance to do some damage in the knockout stages. They have a favorable draw, facing one of the weaker teams in the tournament — France — on Tuesday at 6:10 a.m. ET for a berth in the quarterfinals.
9. Denmark
Behind a few solid players, Denmark finished 1-2 in the group stages. They lost a pivotal game against Germany, 3-1, that decided who finished under the U.S. in Group C. Denmark will take on Czechia in the qualification round.
10. Latvia
Latvia entered this tournament without too many expectations. But they managed a surprise result by defeating Germany 4-3 in their second game, sandwiched between losses to the U.S. and Denmark. They earned that win but lack the high-end talent needed to compete in the knockout stages. Latvia kept it competitive and earned three points in a group where points looked unlikely. Latvia has been capable of upsets in the past, but that task looks difficult in this qualification round against a Sweden team boasting the most talent among the qualification teams.
11. France
A team that lacks the high-level talent needed to win at this level. They have conceded the most goals in the group stages while scoring five. Their final group-stage game against Canada was tied 1-1 early before Canada went on a 9-1 run. France takes on Switzerland in the qualification round and is considered a significant underdog.
12. Italy
They had moments earlier in the tournament, keeping it competitive against Sweden and playing a strong game against Slovakia. But this is a team that is simply out of its league against the top teams. They scored the fewest goals in the group stages and conceded the second-most, just one fewer than France. They are the only team in the tournament that did not roster an NHL player and likely would not be here if it weren't for their automatic qualification as hosts. They take on Switzerland in the qualification round.