Fantasy picks, props, futures for Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026
Players to watch for gold medal game with NHL EDGE stats insights; podcast analysis
© Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
---
MORE OLYMPICS COVERAGE:
EDGE stats: USA-Canada gold medal game
Fantasy rankings for 2026 Olympics
---
OLYMPICS GOLD MEDAL GAME PICKS
Player to watch for goal, assist and/or shots on goal: Macklin Celebrini, F, CAN (vs. USA; 8 a.m. ET; Peacock, NBC, ICI Télé, CBC Gem, RDS2, CBC)
The Canada forward, who plays for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL, leads the Olympics with five goals, ranks second in points (10 in five games) behind his frequent linemate Connor McDavid (13 points) and is tied for fourth in shots on goal (22). Celebrini led Canada in shots on goal (eight), shot attempts (12) and ice time (25:53) in their 3-2 win against Finland in the semifinals. The 19-year-old has the highest points-per-game (2.00) rate in a single Olympics since 1964 (behind McDavid's 2.60). Per NHL EDGE stats, Celebrini is second in the entire NHL in both midrange shots on goal (101; behind Nathan MacKinnon’s 110) and midrange goals (15; behind MacKinnon’s 16) and ranks sixth among forwards in hardest shot (97.89 mph). Celebrini also ranks in the 95th percentile among forwards in both average shot speed (62.39 mph) and 20-plus mph speed bursts (140) this season. -- Chris Meaney
Player to watch for goal, assist and/or shots on goal: Jack Eichel, F, USA (vs. CAN)
The United States forward, who plays for the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL, has six points (two goals, four assists) in five games and leads his country in shots on goal (22; tied for fourth) at the Olympics. Eichel is playing on the first line with Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk and first power play with Quinn Hughes, Auston Matthews, Tage Thompson and Matthew Tkachuk. The 29-year-old Eichel has had three multipoint games in the 2026 Olympics and at least five shots on goal in three of his past four games. Per NHL EDGE stats, Eichel ranks third in the entire NHL in 20-plus mph speed bursts (267) and ranks highly among forwards in max skating speed (23.03 mph; 87th percentile), hardest shot (94.62 mph; 96th percentile), average shot speed (61.24; 93rd percentile), midrange shots on goal (64; 97th percentile), long-range SOG (20; 96th percentile), high-danger goals (11; 89th percentile) and midrange goals (six; 88th percentile). -- Meaney
Player to watch for point, goal and/or assist: Mitch Marner, F, CAN (vs. USA)
The Canada forward, who plays for the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL, has five points (one goal, four assists) in five games at the 2026 Olympics, and his country has outscored its opponents 7-1 when he's been on the ice in the tournament. In the quarterfinals against Czechia, Marner became the third Canada skater to score an overtime goal in an Olympic game involving NHL players (others: Sidney Crosby in 2010, Drew Doughty in 2014); he also scored the overtime goal for Canada during its first game against Sweden in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. Marner has been playing on a line with Vegas teammate Mark Stone at even strength and could be reunited with Crosby, who missed the semifinal against Finland with an injury but could return for the gold medal game. Per NHL EDGE stats, Marner is eighth among forwards in long-range shots on goal (26) and ranks highly at the position in total skating distance (177.77 miles; 96th percentile) and offensive zone start percentage (43; 94th percentile). -- Troy Perlowitz
Player to watch for goal, point and/or shots on goal: Jack Hughes, F, USA (vs. CAN)
The United States forward is having a bounce-back international tournament with six points (three goals, three assists) and 12 shots on goal in five games during the 2026 Olympics; he had one point (no goals, one assist) and 11 shots on goal in four games at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. The 24-year-old has been limited by injury this NHL season but has still been a point-per-game player with 36 points (12 goals, 24 assists) in 36 games for the New Jersey Devils. It's also worth noting Jack Hughes has shared ice time in the Olympics with his brother Quinn Hughes, who leads all defensemen in the tournament with seven points (one goal, six assists) in five games. Jack Hughes had primary assists on both of Brock Nelson's goals in the tournament opener for the U.S. and has also thrived on a line with Thompson and Dylan Larkin in the games that followed. Per NHL EDGE stats, Jack Hughes ranks in the 91st percentile among forwards in midrange shots on goal (50) and 89th percentile at the position in offensive zone time percentage (45.3) this season. -- Pete Jensen
---
Others to watch for goal and/or shots on goal:
Nathan MacKinnon, F, CAN (vs. USA)
Brady Tkachuk, F, USA (vs. CAN)
Others to watch for point:
Cale Makar, D, CAN (vs. USA)
Tage Thompson, F, USA (vs. CAN)
Other to watch for multiple points:
Connor McDavid, F, CAN (vs. USA)
Quinn Hughes, D, USA (vs. CAN)
Others to watch for assist:
Matthew Tkachuk, F, USA (vs. CAN)
Mark Stone, F, CAN (vs. USA)
Others to watch for shots on goal:
Auston Matthews, F, USA (vs. CAN)
Zach Werenski, D, USA (vs. CAN)
Point combos/trio to consider:
CAN: Nathan MacKinnon -- Connor McDavid -- Macklin Celebrini
USA: Brady Tkachuk -- Jack Eichel -- Matthew Tkachuk
USA: Jack Hughes -- Dylan Larkin -- Tage Thompson
CAN: Mitch Marner -- Nick Suzuki -- Mark Stone
---
OLYMPICS FUTURES TO WATCH
Most valuable player:
- Connor McDavid, F, CAN
- Macklin Celebrini, F, CAN
- Quinn Hughes, D, USA
- Connor Hellebuyck, G, USA
To lead tournament in goals:
- Macklin Celebrini, F, CAN
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, CAN
- Auston Matthews, F, USA
To lead tournament in points:
- Connor McDavid, F, CAN
- Macklin Celebrini, F, CAN
To lead Canada in goals:
- Macklin Celebrini, F, CAN
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, CAN
To lead Canada in points:
- Connor McDavid, F, CAN
- Macklin Celebrini, F, CAN
To lead USA in goals:
- Auston Matthews, F, USA
- Brady Tkachuk, F, USA
- Tage Thompson, F, USA
To lead USA in points:
- Quinn Hughes, D, USA
- Jack Eichel, F, USA
