The NHL is back at the Winter Olympics.
The league is sending its players for the first time since 2014. Though Finland is the defending champion after winning gold in Beijing in 2022, Canada is the star of the NHL era from 1998 to 2014.
The country won gold in 2002, 2010 and 2014, and Pittsburgh Penguins and Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby is looking to pick up his third gold medal. Sweden (2006) and the Czech Republic (1998) are the other winners in the NHL era.
So, who will skate off with a gold medal after the championship game on Feb. 22? USA TODAY asked for predictions for the gold, silver and bronze medal. Here is what our experts said:
Mike Brehm, USA TODAY
Gold: Canada
Silver: USA
Bronze: Czechia
Canada is the best of the best-on-best era. It hasn’t lost such a tournament since the 2006 Games, capturing two Olympics, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Team Canada is oozing with talent, featuring the top three NHL scorers who are at the Olympics. If the Canadians can get decent goaltending, they will be the best again.
Jace Evans, USA TODAY
Gold: Canada
Silver: USA
Bronze: Sweden
The Canada net leaves a lot to be desired but there’s three reasons I’m picking Canada to win this year’s tournament: Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby – the two best forwards in the NHL and one of the greatest winners the sport has ever seen.
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
Gold: Canada
Silver: USA
Bronze: Sweden
USA has such a deep team, especially in goal, but Canada has Sidney Crosby, who can still take over a game and deliver in high-pressure situations.
Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News
Gold: Canada
Silver: USA
Bronze: Switzerland
Hockey is won down the middle and Canada has the best centers in the world. I can’t bet against a team featuring Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby, especially with such high stakes.
