The upcoming women's Olympic hockey final features the historic rivalry between the United States and Canada, the only two nations to have won gold since women's hockey debuted at the Olympics in 1998. The U.S. enters as the favorite, having dominated Milan with a 31-1 goal differential, five consecutive shutouts, and a recent 5-0 win over Canada in the round-robin stage. Led by star players like Abbey Murphy and Caroline Harvey, the U.S. team is confident and well-rounded, with veteran insights emphasizing their relentless pressure and calm confidence. Canada, the reigning gold medalists, is aiming to defend their title with key player Captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who is recovering from a knee injury but has returned to the lineup. Despite a slower start in the semifinals against Switzerland, Canada relies heavily on Poulin’s scoring and leadership, with promising performances from players like Daryl Watts and Claire Thompson, who is likely to play despite missing practice due to an upper-body injury. The final is set for Thursday at 1:10 p.m. ET, promising a highly competitive rematch. The U.S. team has been exceptional in Milan, outscoring opponents 31-1, and has a strong team dynamic with contributions from multiple players. Canada’s success hinges on their goaltending, particularly the performance of Ann-Renée Desbiens, and their ability to match the intensity of the U.S. team. The rivalry remains intense, with the U.S. riding a seven-game win streak against Canada, and both teams are eager to claim Olympic gold in a game expected to be highly competitive.