Team USA men's hockey unveils powerhouse power play lines for Olympics

The top unit features four forwards and an all-world defenseman

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The U.S. men's hockey team has revealed its power play lines for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and they are stacked with offensive talent. The top unit includes stars like Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Tage Thompson, Matthew Tkachuk, and defenseman Quinn Hughes. The second unit also features a four-forward, one-defenseman setup with players like Brady Tkachuk, Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, and Zach Werenski.

Why it matters

Special teams will be crucial for Team USA's gold medal hopes, and these power play units look primed to dominate. Having four forwards and an elite puck-moving defenseman gives the Americans a ton of offensive firepower on the man advantage.

The details

The top power play line features center Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), center Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), winger Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres), winger Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers), and defenseman Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild). The second unit includes winger Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), winger Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild), winger Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets), defenseman Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets), and winger Jake Guentzel (Pittsburgh Penguins).

  • The U.S. men's hockey team will play its first Olympic game on Thursday, February 13, 2026 against Latvia.

The players

Auston Matthews

A star center for the Toronto Maple Leafs and captain of the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team.

Jack Eichel

A superstar center for the Vegas Golden Knights and alternate captain of the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team.

Tage Thompson

A rising star winger for the Buffalo Sabres who was added to the U.S. Olympic men's hockey roster.

Matthew Tkachuk

A power forward for the Florida Panthers who is back to full health and ready to represent the U.S. at the Olympics.

Quinn Hughes

An elite offensive defenseman for the Minnesota Wild who was recently traded from the Vancouver Canucks.

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What they’re saying

“Both units feature four forwards and one rangy defenseman. Team USA will need its special teams to be at their best to get the gold medal, and at least on paper, these look pretty great.”

— Michael Russo, Reporter (The Athletic)

What’s next

The U.S. men's hockey team will open Olympic play on Thursday, February 13, 2026 against Latvia.

The takeaway

With a stacked top power play unit featuring some of the NHL's biggest stars, Team USA has the offensive firepower to dominate on the man advantage and make a serious run at the gold medal in men's hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics.