Overview
- The United States routed Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinal behind goals from Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, Jack Hughes (two), Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk.
- Canada advanced with a 3-2 comeback over Finland, sealed by Nathan MacKinnon’s winner with 35.2 seconds remaining.
- This is the third Olympic men’s final between the nations in the NHL era after 2002 and 2010, both Canadian wins; the U.S. last won men’s gold in 1980.
- Puck drop is scheduled for 8:10 a.m. ET Sunday on NBC and Peacock at Milano Santagiulia, with the U.S. expecting Thompson to dress and Sidney Crosby’s status still uncertain.
- NBC reports a 23.8 million combined primetime average for Milan-Cortina coverage, though Nielsen’s recent measurement changes complicate comparisons as fans gripe about the early start time.