Germany and Denmark meet in the preliminary round for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Puck drop is set for 3:10 p.m. EST at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy. The game will be streamed live on Peacock.
Germany is favored by 1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (+125o / -150u). Germany is a -286 favorite to win outright, while Denmark is +225 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Germany vs Denmark predictions and Olympics picks.
Germany vs. Denmark Odds, Pick
| Denmark Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -118 | 5.5 114o / -135u | +210 |
| Germany Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -102 | 5.5 114o / -135u | -258 |
- Germany vs. Denmark Spread: Germany -1.5 (-106), Denmark +1.5 (-118)
- Germany vs. Denmark Over/Under: 5.5 (+125o / -150u)
- Germany vs. Denmark Moneyline: Germany +450, Denmark -625
Germany vs. Denmark Preview
Germany
Germany has rarely been a factor in Olympic men’s hockey, outside of a surprise silver medal in 2018 when NHL players were forced to sit out. This time, however, its roster looks different. For the first time, Germany arrives with multiple top-tier NHL talents in their prime.
Leon Draisaitl is the centerpiece and one of the best players in the world. The highest-scoring German-born player in NHL history, he has piled up 1,036 points in 845 games. He is also joined by Tim Stützle, Ottawa’s leading scorer this season, and JJ Peterka, a legitimate top-six forward for Utah.
On the blue line, Moritz Seider anchors everything. He averages 25:40 minutes per game for Detroit, fourth most in the NHL, and has pushed himself into the outer edge of the Norris Trophy conversation. Now in his fifth season, Seider has yet to miss a game in his career and regularly draws the toughest assignment, often without elite support around him. That responsibility should translate well to the Olympic stage.
Outside of the favorites — Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland — Germany’s top-end talent holds its own. Depth remains the biggest question, but chemistry should help offset some of the concerns. Much of this core played together at the 2023 World Championships under head coach Harold Kreis, where Germany took home silver.
Nico Sturm, who’s been a dependable bottom-six forward for the Wild this season and is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, can provide steady minutes. Wojciech Stachowiak, who’s in Tampa Bay’s system, has performed well internationally and is capable of chipping in, too.
In goal, Philipp Grubauer, who's expected to start, will likely be the X-factor. After struggling mightily over the past few seasons, he enters the Olympics playing great, with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .916 SV% this season with Seattle. His 5-on-5 GSAx of 14.0 ranks fourth in the NHL.
Germany may not sit among hockey’s traditional heavyweights, but this is the most talented Olympic roster it has assembled and its clearest opportunity to do some damage. For tournaments like this, it’s always helpful to see which players have seen NHL action this season. Here’s where Germany sits as far as current NHL talent goes:
- Leon Draisaitl — C, Edmonton Oilers: 29 goals, 51 assists in 55 games.
- Moritz Seider — D, Detroit Red Wings: 7 goals, 31 assists in 58 games
- Tim Stutzle — LW, Ottawa Senators: 28 goals, 33 assists in 57 games
- J.J. Peterka — RW, Utah Mammoth: 20 goals, 18 assists in 57 games
- Lukas Reichel — LW, Vancouver Canucks: 2 goals, 3 assists in 19 games
- Nico Sturm — LW, Minnesota Wild: 3 goals, 6 assists in 35 games
- Wojciech Stachowiak — LW, Tampa Bay Lightning: 9 goals, 8 assists in 38 AHL games, has not played an NHL game
- Philipp Grubauer — G, Seattle Kraken: 2.43 GAA, .916 save percentage, 10.8 GSAx in 22 games
Denmark
Much like Germany, Denmark enters the Olympics with high expectations. It’s coming off the biggest win in its history after knocking off Canada at the World Championship last May, and subsequently reaching the semifinals for the first time. Denmark held Canada to just one goal in that quarterfinal matchup and returns most of that roster to Milan.
Up front, everything runs through Nikolaj Ehlers. He has 43 points in 57 games for Carolina this season, as well as a knack for showing up big in international play. Oliver Bjorkstrand brings a scoring touch as a regular 20+ goal scorer and a solid power-play contributor in the NHL, while Lars Eller adds more than 1,100 NHL games of experience, a strong defensive presence, and a reliable option in the faceoff circle.
Denmark’s depth was evident last spring, with 12 different players scoring at the World Championship. Joachim Blichfeld and Mikkel Aagaard are both playing top-six roles in Europe, giving some balance to the lineup.
Blichfeld is on pace for 80 points in Finland’s top league, and Aagaard is tracking for around a point per game in the SHL. Someone else to watch is Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, who has seen limited time with the Seattle Kraken this year as a rookie but has mostly been in the AHL, where he’s tallied 22 points in 36 games.
The blue line has no current NHL talent, but the Lauridsen brothers (Markus and Oliver) anchor a group that has a lot of familiarity playing together. Although there was no Draisaitl, it held Germany to just one goal en route to a 2–1 shootout win during its World Championship run.
As is the case for most teams, goaltending will determine the ceiling. Frederik Andersen owns a career save percentage above .910, though he’s struggled this season in Carolina with a 3.26 GAA, .871 save percentage, and a -7.0 GSAx over 22 games.
The real wild card is the team’s non-NHL goalie, Frederik Dichow. He led Denmark to a fourth-place finish at the World Championship, highlighted by a 39-save outing against Canada. Still, Andersen is expected to get the nod in this one.
Here’s where the Danes sit as far as current NHL talent goes:
- Nikolaj Ehlers — LW, Carolina Hurricanes: 14 goals, 29 assists in 57 games
- Lars Eller — C, Ottawa Senators: 2 goals, 7 assists in 43 games
- Oliver Bjorkstrand — RW, Tampa Bay Lightning: 10 goals, 17 assists in 55 games
- Oscar Fisker Mølgaard — C, Seattle Kraken: 0 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
- Frederik Andersen — G, Carolina Hurricanes: 3.26 GAA, .871 save percentage, -7.0 GSAx in 22 games
- Mads Sogaard — G, Ottawa Senators: 4.65 GAA, .833 save percentage, -2.6 GSAx in 2 games
Germany vs. Denmark Prediction
This is the first Olympic matchup where the consensus puck line sits at the usual 1.5 goals. With both teams carrying higher-than-usual expectations heading into the Games, there’s some anticipation for a close contest.
Yesterday saw the first upset of pool-play, with Slovakia taking down Finland 4–1, and I think this matchup has the potential to be another.
Denmark might not match Germany’s star power, but there’s something to be said about coming in with belief after beating Canada at the World Championship. Depth-wise, Denmark looks more than capable of staying competitive.
I don’t hate taking the +220 money line, but with a low total of 5.5, there’s some strategy in grabbing the extra cushion on the puck line, especially since there’s not much juice to pay.
Pick: Denmark +1.5 (-115)
