The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are officially here, and men’s ice hockey fans have a thrilling Group B matchup to look forward to today. On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Team Sweden will take to the ice to face off against the host nation, Team Italy. This game sets the stage for a classic David vs. Goliath showdown, as a star-studded Swedish roster looks to make a statement against an incredibly passionate Italian home crowd.
If you are trying to figure out how to catch the action live, here is everything you need to know about the broadcast schedule, tournament history, and my personal prediction for the game.
When and Where to Watch: TV and Streaming Options
Puck drop for Team Sweden vs Team Italy is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET (12:10 p.m. PT), which translates to a prime-time 9:10 p.m. CET start locally in Milan and Stockholm.
- In Sweden: Fans cheering on Tre Kronor locally can catch the game on the free-to-air networks SVT and TV4. For streaming, full comprehensive coverage of the Olympics is available via Warner Bros. Discovery platforms, meaning you can stream the game live on Max and Eurosport.
- In Italy: If you are cheering on the host nation locally, the game will be broadcast on the national free-to-air public broadcaster RAI. Streaming and pay-TV options are also available through Warner Bros. Discovery on Max and Eurosport.
- In the USA: American fans can watch the game live on television via USA Network. If you prefer cord-cutting, the game will be streaming live in its entirety on Peacock.
- In Canada: Hockey fans north of the border have multiple ways to tune in. The game will be broadcast across the Olympic consortium channels, including CBC, Sportsnet (SN), TSN, and RDS for French-language coverage. You can stream the matchup for free on CBC Gem or via the Sportsnet+ and TSN streaming apps.
Regional Blackouts Explained for Olympic Hockey
If you are a regular NHL viewer, you are probably familiar with frustrating local blackouts. Fortunately, standard regional blackouts do not apply to the Olympic Games. Because the rights holders (like NBCUniversal in the US, the CBC consortium in Canada, and the EBU/Warner Bros. Discovery in Europe) hold exclusive, nationwide broadcasting rights, you will not be blacked out from watching your home country. However, strict geo-blocking is in effect. This means you cannot use Peacock in Canada, nor can you use SVT outside of Sweden without a VPN. Ensure you are using your designated country’s native network or streaming app to avoid access issues.
Team Sweden vs Team Italy: All-Time Records & Olympic History
These two programs have vastly different histories on the Olympic stage. Team Sweden is a historic hockey powerhouse, making their 23rd Olympic appearance. They boast an impressive all-time international record and have captured 9 Olympic medals in men’s hockey: 2 Gold (1994, 2006), 3 Silver (1928, 1964, 2014), and 4 Bronze. Their all-time leading Olympic goal scorer is the legendary Sven Tumba (also known as Sven Johansson), who netted a staggering 24 goals on the Olympic stage.
On the flip side, Team Italy is making its 9th Olympic appearance, qualifying automatically as the host nation. They have an all-time international record of 417 wins, 521 losses, and 85 ties, but have never medaled at the Winter Games—their best finish was 7th place back in 1956. Forward Bruno Zarrillo holds the crown as Italy’s all-time Olympic points leader with 15 points (10 goals, 5 assists).
Injuries, Previous Results, and My Game Score Prediction
Heading into today’s matchup, Team Sweden has dealt with a few last-minute roster shakeups. Star center Leo Carlsson (left thigh surgery) and defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) were forced to withdraw and have been replaced by Marcus Johansson and Hampus Lindholm. Fortunately, Gabriel Landeskog has been cleared to play after a recent injury scare and was officially named team captain. Meanwhile, Team Italy comes in healthy, leaning heavily on 20-year-old Anaheim Ducks goaltending prospect Damian Clara to bail them out against a tidal wave of Swedish NHLers.
Historically, matchups between these two haven’t been close. In fact, their most famous Olympic meeting occurred in 1948, resulting in a monumental 23-0 victory for Sweden. Speaking from my own perspective, while I don’t expect a 23-goal blowout in the modern era of hockey, I fully anticipate Sweden to control the puck for 80% of the game. Italy’s defense will be overwhelmed by the sheer speed of William Nylander and the heavy shots from Victor Hedman.
I’m predicting a dominant 8-1 victory for Team Sweden to open their 2026 tournament.
While you are enjoying the international Olympic break, it’s also the perfect time to catch up on the NHL point leaders for the 2025-26 season. If you think you know how the rest of the NHL season will play out, be sure to join our online playoff hockey pool for cash prizes directly on my website! Test your scouting skills against our community and walk away with cold, hard cash.
The post Will Team Sweden Crush Team Italy? How to Watch the Olympic Clash appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
