Canada edged the United States in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, a tournament that was designed to whet fans' appetite for the return of NHL players to the Winter Olympics in 2026.
A little more than a year later, the NHL-stocked 2026 Winter Olympics are down to one game, and the USA and Canada will meet again for international hockey supremacy.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBoth countries, not wanting to tinker with a successful formula, have brought back most of the players from the 4 Nations. But there are some key differences in the roster and teams' statuses. Here is a look:
Athletes have flocked to Italy to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. See the most stunning images from the Milano Cortina games. Sofiia Dovhal of Poland and Wiktor Kulesza of Poland in action during the Milano Cortina 2026 figure skating team event Feb. 6, 2026.
Michaela Hesova #1 of Team Czechia defends the net against Alina Muller #25 of Team Switzerland during the Women's Preliminary Round Group A match between Czechia and Switzerland on day zero of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 6, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Lindsey Vonn of United States in action during training for Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics on Feb. 6, 2026.
Czech Republic players huddle before the Women's Preliminary Round match with Switzerland on Feb. 6, 2026.
Oliver Martin of Team United States competes in the second run during the Men's Snowboard Big Air Qualification on day minus one of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 5, 2026 in Livigno, Italy.
China's Sui Wenjing and Han Cong compete in the figure skating pair short program during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 6, 2026.
Zachary Connelly of Canada during Biathlon Training at Anterselva Biathlon Arena in South Tyrol, Italy, Feb. 6, 2026.
Italy's Lara Naki Gutmann competes in the figure skating women's single short program team event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 6, 2026.
Lisa Eder of Team Austria in action during a Women's Normal Hill training session on day zero of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium on February 6, 2026 in Val di Fiemme, Italy.1 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
Athletes have flocked to Italy to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. See the most stunning images from the Milano Cortina games. Sofiia Dovhal of Poland and Wiktor Kulesza of Poland in action during the Milano Cortina 2026 figure skating team event Feb. 6, 2026.
1 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
Athletes have flocked to Italy to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. See the most stunning images from the Milano Cortina games. Sofiia Dovhal of Poland and Wiktor Kulesza of Poland in action during the Milano Cortina 2026 figure skating team event Feb. 6, 2026.
2 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
Michaela Hesova #1 of Team Czechia defends the net against Alina Muller #25 of Team Switzerland during the Women's Preliminary Round Group A match between Czechia and Switzerland on day zero of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 6, 2026 in Milan, Italy.3 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn of United States in action during training for Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics on Feb. 6, 2026.4 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
Czech Republic players huddle before the Women's Preliminary Round match with Switzerland on Feb. 6, 2026.5 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
Oliver Martin of Team United States competes in the second run during the Men's Snowboard Big Air Qualification on day minus one of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 5, 2026 in Livigno, Italy.6 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
China's Sui Wenjing and Han Cong compete in the figure skating pair short program during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 6, 2026.7 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
Zachary Connelly of Canada during Biathlon Training at Anterselva Biathlon Arena in South Tyrol, Italy, Feb. 6, 2026.8 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
Italy's Lara Naki Gutmann competes in the figure skating women's single short program team event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 6, 2026.9 / 9Incredible photos from 2026 Winter Olympics
Lisa Eder of Team Austria in action during a Women's Normal Hill training session on day zero of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium on February 6, 2026 in Val di Fiemme, Italy.Quinn Hughes is available for the USA
The mobile defenseman was hurt and couldn't play in the 4 Nations. But he has been a standout in the Olympics, playing major minutes, moving the puck and scoring in overtime against Sweden. His brother, Jack, is thriving with Quinn on the team.
Tage Thompson has been a force
The Buffalo Sabres star wasn't named to the 4 Nations but he made this year's team after helping the USA win the 2025 world championships. He has been dangerous on the power play and elsewhere because of his size, speed and stickhandling. He sat out the third period in the semifinals with an injury but appears good to go.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMacklin Celebrini is a second-year wonder
He was an 18-year-old NHL rookie and wasn't part of the 4 Nations, but he made Team Canada at 19. He's fourth in the NHL in scoring and is playing on the top line with Connor McDavid, plus Nathan MacKinnon in the last game. He has five goals and 10 points in Milan. Nick Suzuki, another newcomer, scored to send the quarterfinal to overtime. Tom Wilson has been a physical presence who was ejected for a rare Olympics fight.
The USA is healthy this time
Charlie McAvoy was sent home early from the 4 Nations with a "significant" shoulder injury. Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk were held out of the third game and Brady Tkachuk left that game early. All three played in the championship game, but Matthew Tkachuk was dealing with a sports hernia and didn't come off the bench after the second intermission. He missed the rest of the regular season, won a second Stanley Cup, then had offseason surgery.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEarly this season, the USA was plagued with injury as the first six players named sat out some games, including McAvoy with a broken jaw. But everyone healed up before the Olympics and the USA team's health seems good going into Sunday's game.
Canada is having health issues
Sidney Crosby was hurt in the quarterfinals and didn't finish that game or play in the semifinal. Even if he plays, he won't be at 100%. Defenseman Josh Morrissey is hurt and hasn't played since the first game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA vs Canada: Big changes from 4 Nations could affect gold medal game
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