The United States and Canada will face off for the gold medal in women's hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking their first Olympic final since 2022. The Americans enter as favorites after dominating Canada 5-0 in round-robin play and maintaining a perfect record with 31 goals scored and only one allowed. Team USA's 15 different goal scorers and five straight shutouts have showcased their depth and firepower.

Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, are seeking their sixth gold medal in seven Games despite looking sluggish in their group-stage loss to the U.S. The Canadians' 46-8 shot advantage in their semifinal against Switzerland barely secured a 2-1 victory, with captain Marie-Philip Poulin scoring both goals while playing through a knee injury. Canada's decision to bring an older roster has drawn scrutiny after leaving home some of their rising talent.

The Americans' Caroline Harvey has emerged as a breakout star, drawing comparisons to Bobby Orr from NHL forward Matthew Tkachuk. Harvey, along with Laila Edwards and Abbey Murphy, has formed a dynamic young core. For Canada, Poulin's clutch performance and the surprising resurgence of Daryl Watts, who returned to hockey after a year-long hiatus, provide hope. The U.S. must prove they can handle pressure against a battle-tested Canadian team that thrives in gold medal games.