The men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament has officially started, and Team USA will play its first game on Thursday afternoon.
Team USA is in Group C alongside Germany, Denmark, and Latvia, as the United States is one of the favorites to win Olympic gold. The 2026 Winter Olympics are the first time NHL players have been back at the Olympics since 2014, so for most players, this is their first Olympic experience.
USA’s men’s team will open the Winter Olympics against Latvia. Here is everything you need to know about the line combinations and starting goalies for both teams.
Team USA Line Combinations
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan has been juggling his lines in practice, as they are likely to change throughout the tournament and even during games.
The United States is expected to scratch goalie Jake Oettinger, defenseman Jackson LaCombe, and forward Clayton Keller, according to Emily Kaplan of ESPN.
Here are the expected line combinations for Team USA against Latvia on Thursday:
Team USA forward lines:
- B. Tkachuk – Eichel – M. Tkachuk
- Guentzel – Matthews – Boldy
- Connor -Larkin – Thompson
- J. Hughes – Nelson – Miller
- Trochek
USA was rotating Miller and Trochek on the fourth line while Keller was the odd-man out and will be a surprise scratch to begin the tournament.
Team USA defense lines:
- Q. Hughes – McAvoy
- Slavin – Faber
- Sanderson – Werenski
- Hanifin
The United States blue line is a strong point of their roster, and the three pairings were the same throughout practice. Hanifin, meanwhile, will have limited ice time, according to Kaplan.
“Noah Hanifin is the seventh defenseman and will likely see limited time,” Kaplan wrote. “Sullivan said the coaching staff has discussed how to use the extra player at each position, and a lot of it could be situational. For example, you can expect to see Trocheck in certain faceoff situations, as well as the penalty kill. Clayton Keller and Jackson LaCombe appear to be the two players on the outside.”
As for the power play, Team USA’s top unit is expected to feature Quinn Hughes, Eichel, Matthews, Thompson, and Matthew Tkachuk.
Who is Team USA’s Starting Goalie?
Team USA is led by its defense and goaltending, which are arguably the best in the entire tournament.
Team USA has the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner, Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Swayman as their three goalies.
However, Team USA announced Hellebuyck would start the first game on Thursday against Latvia.
USA confirmed that Hellebuyck would start with Swayman to serve as the backup.
Hellebuyck is 13-16-7 with 2.79 GAA and a .900 SV% this season with the Winnipeg Jets.
Team Latvia Line Combinations
Latvia is a heavy underdog in Thursday’s matchup against USA, but the country does have a couple of NHL players.
Forward lines:
- Vilmanis – Girgensons – Tralmaks
- Bukarts – Blueger – Balcers
- Krastenbergs – Locmelis – Daugavins
- Ravinskis – Batna – Dzierkals
- Egle
Defense lines:
- Rubīns-Balinskis
Zīle-Jaks
Mamčics-Šmits
Freibergs
Goalies:
- Merzlikins
- Silovs
Latvia does have two NHL goalies in Elvis Merzlikins and Arturs Silovs, as goaltending will have to be a key part of any success Latvia has.
How to Watch USA vs. Latvia
USA vs. Latvia will take place on Thursday at 3:10 p.m. ET. The game, like all of the USA’s men’s ice hockey preliminary round games, will be televised in the United States by USA Network, a cable channel owned by NBCUniversal. Fans can stream it on NBCOlympics.com.
USA vs Latvia Line Combinations & Starting Goalies Revealed