Auston Matthews and the U.S. men’s hockey team are set to kick off their campaign at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday, facing Latvia in the opening Group C match. This is a significant moment for NHL players, who return to the Olympic arena for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games due to scheduling conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The live coverage of the match is scheduled to begin at 3:10 p.m. Philadelphia time on USA Network. Following the game against Latvia, the U.S. team will compete against Denmark and Germany. Out of the 12 participating teams, only the top four, including the three group winners and the best-performing second-place team, will make it to the quarterfinals.
Several NHL All-Stars will be making their Olympic debuts, including Matthews from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, and Jack Eichel from the Vegas Golden Knights. This influx of talent is expected to enhance the team’s competitive edge as they strive for Olympic glory.
The full schedule for the U.S. men’s hockey team includes:
– Thursday: Latvia vs. U.S. at 3:10 p.m.
– Saturday: U.S. vs. Denmark at 3:10 p.m.
– Sunday: U.S. vs. Germany at 3:10 p.m.
– Tuesday: Possible qualification playoff
– Wednesday: Quarterfinals
– Friday, Feb. 20: Semifinals
– Saturday, Feb. 21: Bronze medal game
– Sunday, Feb. 22: Gold medal game
In addition, three players from the Philadelphia Flyers will be competing for other nations: Travis Sanheim (Canada), Rasmus Ristolainen (Finland), and Dan Vladar (Czechia).
In other Olympic highlights, U.S. snowboarder Chloe Kim, a Princeton graduate, is aiming for a historic third consecutive gold medal in the halfpipe competition. The finals are set to air live on NBC at 1:30 p.m. Kim, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, impressed during qualifiers, scoring above 90, the only boarder out of 24 to do so.
Other notable events on Thursday include U.S. athletes competing in speedskating, cross-country skiing, and other gold medal races, showcasing the depth of talent and competition across various sports.
Viewers can catch all Olympic events, live and on tape delay, on NBC, USA Network, and other channels, with streaming options available on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app. NBC’s extensive coverage will include live events throughout the day, catering to a diverse audience eager to support their athletes.