No team can afford to give their goalie a long leash at a brief tournament like the Olympics, so Saros has precious little landing strip to turn his game around. If he or another Finnish netminder can't play like a brick wall, then the skaters will have to put on an offensive clinic to compete for a medal.

The first shock of the 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey tournament occurred in the first group-stage game. Slovakia pulled off a 4-1 upset over Finland to change the dynamic in Group B. Sweden, the favorite to win Group B, beat host nation Italy, 5-2, in a game that was far more competitive than most people thought it would be.

MILAN (AP) — The puck has dropped on men’s hockey at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Finland and Slovakia played Wednesday the first of 30 games in the tournament that will conclude with the gold medal final on Feb.

In Olympic history, Canada has won nine gold medals in the men's hockey tournament, and they're expected to contend for it at Milan Cortina alongside the United States. The rival North American countries last met in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off final and Canada defeated the U.S. in overtime.

Our Finland vs. Canada predictions aren't so sure the Canadians will run away with this preliminary-round finale.

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Six Anaheim Ducks will be part of the historic Milan Cortina Olympics hockey competition when NHL players return to Olympic ice for the first time in 12 years. Men’s hockey opened play Wednesday with Finland taking on Slovakia and Sweden facing off against hosts Italy.

Finland falters against Slovakia as Granlund showcases vision. Clara battles valiantly for Italy before an unfortunate injury.