{"id":483503,"date":"2026-02-12T09:26:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=483503"},"modified":"2026-02-12T09:26:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:26:41","slug":"2026-winter-olympics-preliminary-round-hockey-predictions-denmark-vs-germany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/02\/12\/2026-winter-olympics-preliminary-round-hockey-predictions-denmark-vs-germany\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Winter Olympics Preliminary Round Hockey Predictions: Denmark vs Germany"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another edition of Olympic hockey predictions<\/a> here at Last Word On Hockey<\/em>, where we will be covering the men\u2019s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics each day throughout the preliminary round and beyond. As the best players in the world return to the Olympic stage, every early matchup carries weight in a short and unforgiving format. Today\u2019s focus shifts to Group C, where Germany opens its tournament against Denmark in a game that will likely determine second place positioning and quarterfinal seeding. Be sure to check back daily for continued Olympic men\u2019s hockey coverage, analysis, and predictions throughout the Games.<\/p>\n

Olympic Hockey Predictions featuring Denmark vs Germany<\/h2>\n

Date & Time:<\/strong> Thursday, February 12, 3:10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time<\/p>\n

Group:<\/strong> Group C<\/p>\n

How to Watch<\/strong> – US TV: Peacock | Canada TV: CBC Gem, TSN<\/p>\n

Venue:<\/strong> Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy<\/p>\n

Setting the Stage<\/h3>\n

Germany<\/a> enters this tournament with what many consider the most talented roster in its history. Led by Leon Draisaitl<\/a>, this group blends high-end NHL scoring talent with a defensive core capable of playing structured, low-event hockey. Denmark, meanwhile, continues to grow its international identity and brings significant Olympic experience from Beijing 2022. In a group that also includes the United States and Latvia, this game looms large for positioning. A regulation win would give Germany a strong foothold toward a potential bye scenario, while Denmark realistically needs this matchup<\/a> if it hopes to avoid a difficult qualification path.<\/p>\n

Denmark Storyline<\/h3>\n

Denmark<\/a>‘s identity revolves around speed and continuity. Nikolaj Ehlers<\/a> is the offensive engine and remains Denmark\u2019s most dangerous transition threat. Lars Eller<\/a> brings veteran leadership down the middle, while Oliver Bjorkstrand<\/a> supplies secondary scoring punch.<\/p>\n

The key question lies in goal. Frederik Andersen<\/a> has the resume, but recent metrics indicate vulnerability under sustained pressure. Denmark will need a composed, structured defensive effort to prevent Germany from establishing a cycle game. If the Danes can keep this tight into the third period, pressure shifts to Germany. However, if they fall behind early, their defensive depth may struggle to contain multiple German scoring lines.<\/p>\n

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Carolina goal!Scored by Nikolaj Ehlers with 06:57 remaining in the 3rd period.Assisted by Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake.Carolina: 7Florida: 1#FLAvsCAR #RaiseUp #TimeToHunt<\/p>\n

— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-01-17T02:42:18.961214Z<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n