The United States men's hockey team opened the 2026 Winter Olympics in grand fashion.

Next up: Denmark.

Despite a challenging start, the Americans cruised past Latvia, 5-1, in their first game at the Milano Cortina Games. Brock Nelson scored two goals, including a tiebreaking second-period goal that put Team USA up for good. The Danes lost to Germany, 3-1, in their first game of the tournament.

Here is how our staff sees Saturday's game playing out: