2026 Olympic Men’s Hockey: Top standouts from Latvia vs. USA
Latvia kept things very close early on – and benefited from a pair of goals overturned on video review in the first – but the United States ultimately skated to a 5-1 victory in their first game of the tournament.
Both teams will get Friday off before returning to action on Saturday. Latvia will kick off the day with a battle against Germany at 6:10 AM ET, while the United States will take on their Danish friends at 3:10 PM ET.
Brock Nelson led the way for the United States, scoring twice (and a third that was taken back). Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk and Tage Thompson had the other goals for the Americans, while Renars Krastenbergs had the lone marker for the Latvians in the first period.
Here’s a look at the top performers from both teams:
Latvia
Video Coach: Had the Latvians not challenged – and successfully pulled off – the two goals that called back in the first, this game would have been a blowout so, so quickly. Instead, the team’s video coaching staff managed to make the right moves to keep Latvia in the game, only for everything to fall apart in the second half. Oh well.
#94 Kristians Rubins, D: Rubins will forever be remembered for being the goal-scorer against the United States to lead Latvia to their first – and only – medal in senior international hockey. Today, he played a boatload of minutes against USA’s top forwards and didn’t seem out of place. He’s strong, defensively responsible and has some solid speed, too.
#3 Alberts Smits, D (2026 NHL Draft): After a strong showing at the World Juniors just two months ago, Smits kept things going with an impressive showing in his Olympic debut. The 17-year-old looked so calm and poised with the puck and rarely made a mistake when trying to distribute it. There aren’t many games scouts are keeping a close eye on from a prospect perspective, but one scout told Daily Faceoff they were incredibly impressed with his decision-making against a faster, stronger American team.
#9 Renars Krastensbergs, LW: The former OHL forward was known for his relentless play in junior, and it paid off in the first period. He used his strength to force his way into the slot and managed to beat Connor Hellebuyck for the 1-1 goal. He then nearly scored a few minutes later from the same spot as the Latvians kept the pressure on. Latvia doesn’t have many scoring weapons, so they’ll need someone like Krastensbergs to stay hot.
USA
#8 Zach Werenski, D (Columbus Blue Jackets): Like many times during the 4 Nations Face-Off, Werenski was USA’s top defenseman today. Werenski had an assist today, and probably should have had another two if some of the plays he created came to fruition. His ability to create off the rush, while also slowing things down when he needs to, makes him so lethal at both ends of the ice.
#43 Quinn Hughes, D (Minnesota Wild): When Hughes had the puck, the game slowed down. He had two assists today, and would have had a third if one of the first-period goals hadn’t been taken back. He’s a slick puck-mover who had little difficulty outskating the Latvian defenders. Hughes wasn’t at the 4 Nations Face-Off, but he definitely makes the United States more dynamic on the point.
#19 Matthew Tkachuk, RW (Florida Panthers): If there were any concerns as to Tkachuk’s health heading into this tournament after missing the first half of the season, there aren’t any now. He was engaged physically, but also had a pair of assists on the night. He was one of USA’s best shooters, but his offense came from the way he continued to find players on the rush.
#29 Brock Nelson, C (Colorado Avalanche): Nelson’s inclusion surprised some fans – but Avalanche fans know how clutch he can be. He scored a goal in the first, only for it to be taken back due to goaltender interference from J.T. Miller. Fortunately for the Americans, Nelson would score on a great move midway through the second and added another near the end of the frame to make it 4-1. He just can’t seem to play a bad game this year, can he? Nelson is legit and is off to a great start on the USA’s bottom line.
#86 Jack Hughes, RW (New Jersey Devils): Hughes is a fourth-liner on this American team, which shows you how much depth they have. The New Jersey Devils forward was clearly healthy enough to pull off some of the moves he did today. He assisted on both of Nelson’s (legit) goals and was close to having another two assists in the second period. After a rough showing at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Hughes looked great today.
PRESENTED BY DAILY FACEOFF’S OLYMPIC COVERAGE
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