<p>Six consecutive regulation victories by a combined 29-7 scoreline since November 2025, plus a seventh straight win overall tell the story of this rivalry's current chapter, but Olympic gold medal finals have a habit of rewriting narratives.</p> <p>The USA and Canada meet for a record seventh time in eight Olympic women's hockey finals, with both Hilary Knight and Marie-Philip Poulin set to close their international careers on the biggest stage in Milan.</p> <ol> <li><strong>Competition:</strong> 2026 Winter Olympics, Gold Medal Final</li> <li><strong>Venue:</strong> Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy</li> <li><strong>Date: </strong>Thursday, 19 February 2026</li> <li><strong>Start Time: </strong>5:10 AM AEDT (Thursday, 20 February)</li> <li><strong>Broadcast:</strong> NBC / Peacock (USA), TSN (Canada)</li> </ol> <h2>USA vs Canada Form and Head to Head</h2> <p>Canada holds a 7-4 advantage in Olympic meetings and a 4-2 lead in gold medal finals, but the recent form guide is entirely one-sided. The USA has won six straight against Canada by a combined 29-7, including a historic 5-0 preliminary round shutout on February 10 that marked the first time Canada had ever been blanked at an Olympics.</p> <p>The Americans are 6-0-0 this tournament with a staggering 31-1 goal differential and five consecutive shutouts. Canada has been solid aside from that preliminary loss, posting a 5-1-0 record with wins over Germany (5-1), Finland, Czechia (5-1) and a gritty 2-1 semifinal victory over Switzerland.</p> <p>In gold medal finals specifically,four of the last five gold medal finals between these teams have been decided by a single goal, regardless of form entering the match.</p> <h2>Knight and Poulin's Final Dance</h2> <p>Both teams are built around generational talents playing their fifth and final Olympics. Hilary Knight, Team USA's captain, has tied the U.S. record for most Olympic goals in women's hockey history with 14, and sits second all-time behind Poulin's 20. She has been central to her team's dominant run, and she enters this final with a chance to cap one of the greatest careers in the sport's history.</p> <p>On the Canadian side, Marie-Philip Poulin returned from a lower-body injury suffered against Czechia on February 9. She missed the preliminary loss to the USA and the Finland match before returning against Germany, scoring in just 13 minutes of ice time. She now holds the all-time Olympic scoring record with 20 career goals, surpassing Hayley Wickenheiser. Her fitness and minutes management will be a key storyline.</p> <h2>USA vs Canada Betting Markets</h2> <p>The Americans enter as heavy favourites on the back of their perfect tournament run and six-match winning streak over Canada. The match result market reflects that dominance, with the USA expected to complete one of the most commanding Olympic campaigns in women's hockey history.</p> <p>You'll find the full range of markets for this one over at Sportsbet, including match result, total goals, period betting and goalscorer props.</p> <p>The total goals market is particularly interesting given the contrast between the 5-0 preliminary blowout and the historically tight nature of gold medal finals between these nations.</p> <h2>USA vs Canada Prediction: Our Pick</h2> <p>The Americans look the goods to claim gold, but expect a far tighter contest than the preliminary round suggested.</p> <p>Canada's 4-2 record in Olympic finals against the USA is a reminder that form lines can go out the window when gold is on the line. Four of the last five gold medal games between these teams were decided by one goal, and Poulin has a remarkable history of lifting her game in finals.&nbsp;</p> <p>However, this USA squad's defensive structure,having conceded just once in the tournament: a streak that has now extended beyond 331 minutes of shutout hockey spanning five straight games.</p> <p>Canada's 2-1 semifinal grind against Switzerland showed the Canadians are still finding their offensive rhythm, and Poulin's managed workload adds uncertainty. We fancy the USA to get the job done, but in a contest far closer than recent meetings.&nbsp;</p> <p>Backing USA alongside the under on total goals looks the play, with gold medal pressure and elite goaltending likely to keep the scoreboard tight.</p>