Is Canada now the underdog in women's hockey?

Canada opens its women's hockey tournament Thursday in Milan, while recent head-to-head results and analytics show the United States have won six straight matchups and are favoured by markets and a CBC-hired model.

The Milano‑Cortina Winter Olympics women's hockey tournament begins Thursday, with Canada opening against Finland at 3:10 p.m. ET. Recent head-to-head results and market and model-based odds have focused attention on whether the United States has pulled ahead. The U.S. has won six straight matchups and swept this season's Rivalry Series by a combined 24-7. CBC Sports reported that betting markets imply a greater than 60 per cent chance of a U.S. gold, and a CBC-hired analytics company calculated a 77 per cent chance for the Americans. Key points: - The United States have won six straight head-to-head games against Canada, including the 2025 world-title game. - The U.S. swept this season's four-game Rivalry Series by a combined score of 24-7. - Betting markets implied over a 60% chance of a U.S. gold, and a CBC-hired analytics model gave the U.S. a 77% chance. - Canada won Olympic gold in 2022 and has taken five of the last six women's Olympic titles. - Marie-Philip Poulin is seeking a fourth Olympic gold and is the only player to score in four Olympic finals. - Canada opens against Finland Thursday at 3:10 p.m. ET; Finland cancelled a practice due to a stomach illness affecting at least four players. Summary: Recent results and analytics have shifted attention toward the United States as the team to beat, while Canada still fields veteran leaders with extensive Olympic experience. Canada plays Finland on Thursday, the two archrivals meet in the group stage next Tuesday, and the gold-medal game is scheduled for Feb. 19.