Denmark vs United States Olympic hockey: Dramatic unbeaten win for Team USA
The United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey matchup in Milan delivered more drama than many expected, but it ended with another important win for Team USA. A 6–3 victory kept the Americans perfect in preliminary-round play at the 2026 Winter Olympics and underlined their ability to respond when the game starts to slip away.
Slow start puts United States under pressure
This United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey game did not begin the way the Americans wanted. Team USA looked flat in the opening period, struggled to manage the puck, and allowed Denmark to grab a 2–1 lead after 20 minutes. Defensive gaps appeared again, raising concerns about how this group will handle stronger opponents later in the tournament.
Jeremy Swayman started in goal with Connor Hellebuyck getting the day off, but it turned into a frustrating outing for him. Two of the three goals he allowed were ones he would normally expect to stop, including a long-range effort from Nicholas Jensen that floated in from center ice and slipped over his shoulder. That soft goal gave Denmark a surge of momentum and briefly turned the United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey clash into a real upset watch.
Eichel and the Tkachuk brothers flip the script
The turning point of this United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey contest came early in the second period. Trailing by a goal, the Americans needed a response, and it came from a line that has already become a focal point of their offense: Jack Eichel centering Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk.
Off an offensive-zone faceoff, Brady Tkachuk struck first. He jumped on a loose puck and fired a wrist shot through traffic to tie the game 2–2, calming some of the nerves on the U.S. bench. Moments later, Eichel produced nearly the same sequence from the opposite circle. Another clean faceoff win, another loose puck, and another quick release beat Danish goaltender Mads Sogaard, giving the United States its first lead of the afternoon and flipping the flow of the United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey matchup in a matter of seconds.
That rapid-fire double from the Eichel–Tkachuk line shifted control firmly back to Team USA. Denmark’s confidence dipped, and the Americans began to play the fast, assertive style that has defined their Olympic run so far.
Noah Hanifin delivers the game-winner
Once the United States settled into its rhythm, the team’s depth began to show. The next key moment came from defenseman Noah Hanifin, who scored what would stand as the game-winning goal. Hanifin followed his own blocked shot, stayed with the play, and slid the rebound through Sogaard’s pads to extend the lead.
That goal highlighted the blue line’s willingness to activate offensively and underscored how many different sources of scoring the United States can rely on in these Olympic games. In a tight United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey battle, contributions from the back end made a clear difference once the forwards had sparked the comeback.
Third-period insurance from Guentzel and Hughes
With the pressure off and the lead growing, Team USA controlled most of the final period. The Americans outscored Denmark 5–1 after initially falling behind, a decisive margin that accurately reflected the difference in depth and talent once the game opened up.
Jake Guentzel added an important insurance goal to widen the gap and erase any lingering doubts. Jack Hughes then added another in the third period, capping off a dominant stretch and sealing the 6–3 result. For fans following every United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey shift, the closing minutes felt like a reminder of just how dangerous this roster can be when it rolls all four lines.
Swayman’s rough night and defensive concerns
Despite the win, not everything about this performance will please the American coaching staff. Defensive looseness in the first period gave Denmark far too many good looks, and the team’s structure in front of its own net must tighten up before the knockout rounds.
Jeremy Swayman’s performance will also draw attention. The goal from center ice by Nicholas Jensen, which drifted in from long range and slipped over his shoulder, was the kind of mistake that can swing a tight playoff game at the Olympics. In a tournament where one bad bounce or misread can end a medal dream, the United States will want more consistency in net to match its offensive firepower.
What the win means for Team USA
Big picture, the United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey result keeps Team USA right where it wants to be. The victory preserves an unbeaten record in preliminary-round play and puts the Americans in a strong position to secure a top-two seed heading into the knockout stage.
Staying perfect in the group phase not only builds confidence but also helps with matchups later in the bracket. The schedule does not ease up, though. A high-profile showdown with Leon Draisaitl and Germany awaits on Sunday afternoon, a game that is likely to serve as the final serious test before the medal round begins.
If the United States can clean up its defensive details and avoid slow starts, this group has the skill to challenge any opponent in the field. The comeback against Denmark showed that even on an imperfect night, the Americans can still find a way to win by leaning on their depth, their star power, and their ability to shift momentum in just a few shifts.
Final thoughts on United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey
This United States vs Denmark Olympic hockey clash may not have been a flawless performance, but it was another important step in a promising campaign. The second-period surge from Eichel and the Tkachuk brothers, Hanifin’s game-winner, and late goals from Guentzel and Hughes all showcased how many weapons this roster can bring to the ice.
At the same time, the game served as a warning that lapses in focus and weak goals against can punish even a talented team on the Olympic stage. With the medal round approaching and a critical matchup against Germany up next, the United States will aim to combine its offensive swagger with tighter discipline in its own zone. If that balance comes together, this unbeaten run could carry deep into the fight for gold in Milan.
