Connor McDavid and Team Canada attempt to win Gold vs USA

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics men's hockey tournament is coming to it's conclusion on Sunday in a dramatic way. The game between the bitter rivals of Canada and the United States is the exact conclusion that everyone hoped for.

On Saturday, the Bronze medal match was played between Finland and Slovakia, with the Finns capturing Bronze with a 6-1 victory. The Gold Medal matchup does not anticipate to be such a lopsided affair, especially if team captain Sidney Crosby is sidelined once again.

However, there is reason to believe he will return. Edmonton Oilers captain, Connor McDavid himself said he was only keeping the captain's 'C' warm for the legend. As well, there was the Hockey Canada gameday post on X (formerly Twitter) it may show their hand..

Connor McDavid sets record

Connor McDavid already holds the record for the highest single tournament scoring player in the NHL era at the Olympic games, scoring 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) through five matches. His dominance at the international best-on-best tournament is something that is rare and deserving of recognition of him being the greatest player right now.

McDavid's goal of bringing a Gold Medal back home to Canada is noble and very much within reach, especially thanks to his performance at the tournament so far.

His play has helped Canada to a 3-0-0 record since the round robin, with 20 goals for to just three goals against for a goal differential of +17. This is by far the best in the tournament, even compared to USA's 3-0-0 record and +11 goal differential.

Canada is the favourite to win gold

There is no denying that Canada is the tournament favourite to capture the Gold medal, it was known heading into the tournament. However, the sheer dominances of many players from McDavid to young phenom Macklin Celebrini and Nathan MacKinnon, Crosby, and Mitch Marner and his overtime heroics.

The star power is unmatched and they have collectively performed up to expectations in this tournament. Even Jordan Binnington who has struggled with the St. Louis Blues during the regular season has been clutch at times for Canada when needed.

The entire squad is filled with NHL first forward lines or top pairings and that level of depth is not solely exclusive to Canada, either. Team USA, their rivals and foes in this match are much the same, albeit a slight step lower. Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has shown he is still amongst the best in the world, players like Matthew Tkachuk and the Hughes' brothers, Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes have proven themselves as well.

It will not be an easy match for Canada but if history repeats itself like it did in 2010 or last year at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Canada will win Gold once again and bragging rights for the next four years.