USA Hockey Gold: Large Betting Volumes Reported

Posted on: February 23, 2026, 12:16h. 

Last updated on: February 23, 2026, 12:52h.

Mark Keast Read More
Expertise: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC.
  • DraftKings, BetMGM report big betting volumes on Team USA-Team Canada hockey gold medal final
  • Team USA scores first Olympic hockey gold since 1980 Lake Placid Miracle on Ice
  • Jack Hughes wins it in overtime

Numbers are coming in, especially on the betting front, that show a high level of interest in yesterday’s dramatic 2-1 Team USA overtime win in the men’s Olympic gold medal hockey game against Team Canada.

Brady Tkachuk, left, Matthew Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes of Team United States pose after winning the gold medal during the Men’s Gold Medal hockey game between Canada and the United States yesterday at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games in Italy. The United States defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime. (Image: Elsa/Getty Images)

Hughes Scores in OT

Jack Hughes won it for Team USA, at 18:19 of overtime, the country’s biggest hockey win since the Miracle on Ice Lake Placid Olympic gold medal team beat a heavily favoured Soviet national team 4-3 – 46 years to the day yesterday – on their way to a gold medal.

Yesterday’s gold medal team wasn’t made up of the same ragtag collection of amateurs like the 1980 team was, instead comprised of some of the elite of the NHL – led by names like Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Quinn Hughes, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, and Connor Hellybuyck in net, who stopped 41 Canadians shots, mostly notably a stick paddle save, reaching back behind him, off Devon Toews, who had a wide open net with the game tied 1-1. That will go down as one of the biggest saves in the history of the game.

First Olympic Hockey Gold for USA Since 1980

There was some concern among sportsbook traders Casino.org spoke with about the early start time for yesterday’s game (8:10 a.m. EST) having a negative impact on betting volume, but early returns indicate that wasn’t the case. Hockey is growing in popularity in the U.S., with yesterday’s win expecting to have the same impact on younger generations as the 1980 team had.

Despite the early start time for our customers, the men’s gold medal game generated tremendous betting activity — ranking among the most-bet hockey games in DraftKings Sportsbook history,” said Johnny Avello, Director of Sports Operations, DraftKings.

“As expected, Team USA drew strong support from our American customers, while Canada saw significant backing from customers in Ontario. This was an outstanding Olympic tournament capped by a thrilling gold medal matchup, and the momentum from this game should carry into the remainder of the NHL season and through the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”

Canada’s Revenge in World Cup 2028?

From a Canadian perspective, the U.S. has now supplanted Russia as the country’s greatest hockey rival. And after Canada won last year’s inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, and with yesterday’s Team USA win, all eyes now turn to the NHL’s World Cup tournament, in two years.

We saw a ton of interest in 4 Nations and Olympic hockey,” said John Ewing, with BetMGM. “USA-Canada final in 4 Nations was the most bet hockey event in BetMGM history. There was also great handle on the gold medal game yesterday. If the best players participate, we expect the USA/Canada teams to continue attracting action from bettors in the World Cup.”

Massive Prediction Market Numbers

The betting numbers from Polymarket, the prediction market, are big: total volume hit was just under $3 million. Before puck drop, it was basically a coin flip, with Canada sitting at 53% implied chance to win. Then it tightened, as the U.S. jumped out front on Matt Boldy’s breakaway goal in the first, followed by Canada’s Cale Makar’s tying goal in the second period.