The wait is finally over. When Slovakia and Finland face off at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 11, 2026, it will mark not just the opening game of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics but a historic moment for the sport. For the first time since 2014, NHL players will return to compete in the Winter Olympic Games, reigniting excitement among athletes, fans, media, and organizers alike.
The Group B clash between these two Central European rivals is scheduled for 16:40 local time and promises to set the tone for what many predict will be one of the most competitive Olympic hockey tournaments in decades. The matchup kicks off the men’s tournament, with Team Sweden facing host Team Italy immediately after in the evening session.
Finland: The Reigning Champions
Finland enter the tournament as the defending Olympic champions, having claimed their first-ever gold medal at the Beijing 2022 Games. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Finland won the gold medal for the first time, going undefeated and beating Russia in the final. This allowed them to rise to first place in the IIHF World Ranking for the first time ever.
The Finns have assembled a formidable roster for Milan. The initial six players named to Finland’s preliminary roster include Juuse Saros, Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, Mikko Rantanen, Aleksander Barkov, and Sebastian Aho representing some of the finest talent in the NHL. This blend of elite goaltending with Saros, defensive prowess through Heiskanen and Lindell, and offensive firepower from Rantanen, Barkov, and Aho makes Finland one of the tournament favorites.
Finland’s pedigree in international competition is undeniable. In May 2022, Finland won their fourth World Championship, beating Canada in overtime after a hard-fought game. Their systematic, defensive-minded style of play has proven effective at major tournaments, and the experience of their veteran core provides stability when games get tight.
Slovakia: The Bronze Medal Dreamers
Slovakia approaches this tournament with both high hopes and a point to prove. At the Beijing 2022 Olympics, Slovakia took home the bronze medal, the men’s team’s first-ever medal since the split of Czechoslovakia. That achievement came in a tournament without NHL players, raising questions about whether they can replicate such success against full-strength opponents.
The Slovak roster features exciting young talent alongside experienced veterans. Slovakia’s preliminary roster includes NHL standouts Juraj Slafkovsky, Martin Pospisil, Simon Nemec, Martin Fehervary, Erik Cernak, and Tomas Tatar. The 20-year-old Slafkovsky, who was named the Most Valuable Player at the Beijing Olympics as a teenager, has since developed into a legitimate NHL forward with the Montreal Canadiens. His combination of size, skill, and big-game experience makes him Slovakia’s most dangerous offensive weapon.
Simon Nemec and Erik Cernak provide Slovakia with solid defensive options, while the veteran presence of Tomas Tatar brings playoff experience and leadership. In Beijing 2022, Slovakia eliminated medal favorites USA in a shock shootout win Olympics, proving they can compete with anyone when their stars align.
Historical Context
These two nations have met numerous times on the Olympic stage, with Finland typically holding the upper hand. At Beijing 2022, Finland defeated Slovakia 6-2 during group play before edging them 2-0 in a tense semifinal Olympics that kept the Slovaks from reaching their first-ever Olympic final.
That semifinal demonstrated both teams’ styles perfectly. The Finns, the oldest team at that tournament with an average age of 30, played a cautious game after opening the scoring. They kept the Slovaks and their young phenom Juraj Slafkovsky from getting into any real attacking rhythm.
Prediction and Analysis
Finland enters this matchup as clear favorites based on roster depth, international experience, and recent tournament success. Their defensive structure, anchored by world-class NHL defensemen and elite goaltending, typically neutralizes opponent attacks effectively. However, Slovakia’s young guns have matured considerably since Beijing, and this is no longer a David versus Goliath scenario.
Expect Finland to control possession and limit Slovakia’s high-danger chances while relying on their skilled forwards to create offense through patient puck movement. Slovakia will need to capitalize on power-play opportunities and rely on their goaltending to keep them competitive.
Prediction: Finland 3-1
Finland’s experience and superior depth should prove decisive, though Slovakia has enough talent to keep the game competitive. Look for Finland to establish control in the second period and close out the game with disciplined defensive play.
Match Details:
- Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- Time: 16:40 CET
- Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
- Tournament: 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Ice Hockey, Group B
