The United States mixed doubles curling team of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin are 4-0 after two days of competition at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics following wins over Canada and Czechia on Friday. Thiesse and Dropkin began their day by defeating Canada's Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman 7-5 in a tight battle at Cortina Olympic Stadium.

Though Canada announced its roster Dec. 31, NHL.com is taking it a step further, taking our shot at what some countries’ forward lines, defense pairs and goalie depth chart should look like. Today, NHL.com staff writer Derek Van Diest plays coach of Team Canada with his projected lines:

As the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics begin, all eyes were on teams from around the globe proudly donning their countries' uniforms for the opening ceremony, including Team USA in outfits designed by Ralph Lauren.

Of the 19 staff members polled, nine think Canada will bring home the gold medal. Six staffers think the United States can win its first gold medal in men's hockey since the 1980 "Miracle On Ice," while four believe Sweden can repeat its gold-medal performance from 2008 in Turin, Italy.

While all Olympic athletes are expected to play and perform under pressure, Canada’s historical successes at the Winter Games have created heightened expectations.

Captain Hilary Knight will be chasing a second Olympic gold medal in her fifth and final tournament; she is the only five-time Olympian in U.S. women’s hockey history. Should the U.S. win a medal in Milan, Knight will also become the most decorated American women’s hockey player.