Team USA has now defeated Canada in seven straight games spanning back to the preliminary round at the 2025 World Championships. It included the 2025 gold medal game at Worlds, USA's first ever sweep at the Rivalry Series, and now a decisive 5-0 win at the 2026 Olympics. In fact, it was the biggest win for Team USA in men's or women's hockey, ever, at the Olympics. 

USA's play has not only resulted in wins, but it's been a demoralizing dominance that has left Canadians feeling little hope, and for good reason. USA has been dominant and added fuel to the chatter that they are gold medal favorites by a mile.

USA does not simply attack via a dynamic forward group headlined by Abbey Murphy, Hannah Bilka, Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter, Kendall Coyne Schofield and company, but they attack from their blueline as well. The multiple waves USA is able to send, and their ability to activate offensively from all areas of the ice continues to push Canada's group back the ice opening gaps to give USA more time with the puck, as well as passing lanes when they arrive in the offensive zone. Caroline Harvey at times was leading USA's rush, and then would be the player who after Canada transitioned back up ice would get to Canada's rush first to kill the play before Canada could even make it to a scoring position. She opened the scoring for USA, and looks like the best defender in the world right now. Laila Edwards, who USA converted from forward after she won MVP at the 2024 World Championships, scored a beautiful goal leading the rush in the third period against Canada as well, and Megan Keller and Haley Winn also bring an attacking approach to USA's skilled blueline. 

Gina Kingsbury and Troy Ryan chose experience and familiarity over speed and skill for Team Canada. It's been a decision that has backfired for more than a year. USA conversely, has an abundance of speed on their roster, and those who aren't as fleet of foot have been strategically paired for the assets they bring. In Canada's 5-0 loss to USA, the Americans regularly beat Canada to loose pucks, and they were able to send two players to the puck carrier double teaming Canada off the puck with back pressure. Their ability to use their mobility to close those gaps, and then return to positioning if they were unsuccessful overwhelming Canada was a marked advantage. The speed gap between Canada and USA also resulted in penalties for Canada who had to reach, use their body, and grab to try to slow down USA. 

Canada has run with an almost identical lineup for years. The only lineup changes Canada made was to separate their most successful units, like their top line of Laura Stacey, Marie-Philip Poulin, and Jennifer Gardiner from the 2025 Worlds. USA has shifted their lines repeatedly giving new looks, finding new chemistry, and keeping opposing teams unable to plan for their attack. Perhaps USA's most notable change at these games from the lines they ran this year at the Rivalry Series was the combination of Hannah Bilka, Taylor Heise, and Abbey Murphy. It's a line with speed, grit, and puck skills unlike any three player trio Canada can field. USA's emphasis on speed and skill up and down their lineup has been another bonus. They have almost no players taking on a primarily defensive role leaving their entire group open to joining the attack. USA has been able to do this because of their speed and top to bottom compete level.

No one is questioning Ann-Renee Desbiens' ability, although she'd certainly like a few back from Canada's 5-0 loss to USA. On the American side, Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips have continued their crease dominance at every level. When USA does have a lapse, or they face a Canadian power play, Frankel was able to shut the door and calm the momentum. They didn't need many key saves, but the chances Canada was able to generate, those hopes were cooly squashed by Frankel. Philips did it to Canada in overtime at the 2025 World Championships, so USA will have belief no matter who is in the crease.

This may be the best team the United States has ever fielded at the winter Olympics in hockey. While it's certainly not Canada's worst, Canada has been their own worst enemy on many occasions. USA has been breaking records against Canada from most goals scored, to biggest win at the Olympics at every stop this year. Canada however, has refused to adapt, alter their lineup, test new players, or try new combinations in game. During USA's 5-0 lead, Canada continued to roll the same combinations from start to finish. It's a combination of an American team that has their best, while Canada continues to be their own worst enemy.