USA vs. Denmark Predictions, USA to Control Dominance, Thompson Props

Fahad Umar
February 14, 2026
9:00 am

Team USA enters today’s preliminary match against Denmark (February 14, 2026) as heavy favorites following their dominant 5-1 opening win over Latvia.

While Denmark proved they can be dangerous with their 2025 IIHF World Championship upset over Canada, the Americans hold several significant advantages in terms of size, speed, and depth heading into this Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic matchup.

*Sports betting is unpredictable. These picks are analytical suggestions, not guarantees.

US vs. Denmark Game Preview

The most glaring advantage is the gap in high-end NHL talent. While Denmark features five current NHL players, the entire U.S. roster is composed of top-tier NHL stars. Here’s why they should continue to see more success against Denmark:

Four-Line Threat: Team USA can roll four lines that all possess scoring pedigree. Denmark’s offense is heavily reliant on a few key players like Nikolaj Ehlers and Oliver Bjorkstrand, whereas the U.S. has players like Brock Nelson (who had two goals against Latvia) and Tage Thompson on lower lines.
Quinn Hughes & Charlie McAvoy: This top pair provides elite puck movement and skating that can neutralize Denmark’s forecheck before it even starts.
Puck Retrieval: Because the U.S. defensemen are so mobile (including Brock Faber and Zach Werenski), they are excellent at recovering pucks and transitioning to offense quickly, which will likely force Denmark to play a “bend-but-don’t-break” defensive style for most of the game.

The Americans are riding high after winning the 2025 IIHF World Championship (their first in 92 years) and a solid 4 Nations Face-Off showing. This group has established a winning culture and chemistry that was evident in their composure after a slow first period against Latvia.

Below are our best USA vs. Denmark picks for February 14. These wagers are available through the hockey sportsbooks like FanDuel or regulated prediction markets such as Kalshi.

Tage Thompson to Score Anytime

Tage Thompson is a prime candidate to find the back of the net against Denmark, largely due to his deployment on Team USA’s top power-play unit. Thompson has already proven his form in the tournament, scoring a spectacular backhand goal in the opener against Latvia. By skating alongside superstars like Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel, the 6-foot-6 forward benefits from gravity-shifting playmakers who leave him space to utilize his most lethal weapon: a powerful shot coupled with his elite size.

Furthermore, Thompson’s role on the third line creates a significant mismatch against Denmark’s depth. While the Danish top pairing may be occupied with the Tkachuk-Eichel-Matthews rotation, Thompson will likely face Denmark’s secondary defenders, most of whom play in European leagues and lack the size or foot speed to contain him. Coming off a hot streak of eight goals in his last 12 NHL games, Thompson is perfectly positioned to exploit a Danish defense that struggled to contain Germany’s speed in their first preliminary match.

Jack Eichel to Record 1+ Assist

Eichel has the role of ultimate playmaker. Centering the Tkachuk brothers, Brady and Matthew, Eichel serves as the offensive engine for a unit built on physical puck protection and high-volume scoring. This chemistry was evident in the tournament opener against Latvia, where Eichel recorded two primary assists, including one that set up captain Auston Matthews. His ability to navigate the neutral zone and distribute the puck effectively makes him the focal point of the Americans’ even-strength transition game.

Beyond even-strength play, Eichel’s value as an assist threat is magnified by his position on the top power-play unit. Skating alongside elite finishers like Matthews and Tage Thompson, Eichel is tasked with “receiving the keys” to the man-advantage, where he has already shown he can pinpoint passes to Thompson for high-danger scoring chances.

Brock Nelson to Record 1+ Point

Nelson enters the matchup fresh off a dominant two-goal performance in the Olympic opener against Latvia, where he demonstrated instant chemistry with linemate Jack Hughes. Currently in the midst of a prolific NHL season with 29 goals for the Colorado Avalanche, Nelson has established himself as one of the most reliable scorers on the American roster, despite playing in a depth role that coach Mike Sullivan describes as a “complete game” asset.

His success is further bolstered by the elite playmaking surrounding him. Skating on a line with Jack Hughes and J.T. Miller, Nelson benefits from some of the most creative puck distributors in the tournament.

Quinn Hughes to Record 2+ Assists

In Team USA’s Olympic opener against Latvia, Hughes led all skaters with 21:29 of ice time and recorded two assists, showcasing the same elite playmaking that has defined his record-breaking NHL season. Now paired with Charlie McAvoy on the top defensive unit, Hughes has the freedom to join the rush and distribute the puck to a forward group that includes elite finishers like Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk.

His potential for a multi-assist performance is further amplified by his role quarterbacking the tournament’s most dangerous power play. Hughes entered the Olympics in “red-hot” form, having recently set a Minnesota Wild record with a 10-game assist streak, and he has already carried that momentum into international play by assisting on a Tage Thompson power-play goal in Game 1.

How We Make Our Predictions

Our process blends team form, player usage, injury context, head-to-head results, and style matchups. We measure those factors against market odds and advanced metrics like possession rates and shot volume.

The goal is to isolate lines where role certainty and repeatable volume outweigh variance.