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The GIST: <\/strong>As the women\u2019s hockey preliminary round wraps up today, the juggernaut American men are preparing for puck drop on the first Olympic tournament since 2014 to feature NHL players. And with star-studded lineups across the board, nothing is guaranteed<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc4f The return of the NHLers: <\/strong>The reason for their 12-year absence? Schedule disruptions and a lack of league benefit, according to the NHL<\/a>. However, the pushback was fierce, and a new collective bargaining agreement in 2020 paved the way for the NHL\u2019s (slightly delayed<\/a>) return to the Games, much to the delight of players and fans alike.<\/p>\n \u2699\ufe0f How it works: <\/strong>The men\u2019s tourney features 12 teams, divided into three groups (A, B, and C). Each will play three round-robin games, with the group winners and the best runner-up squad receiving a bye straight to the quarter-finals. The other eight teams will compete in a playoff for the remaining spots, all in hopes of reaching the gold medal game on February 22nd.<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Team USA aiming for gold \u2014 with a chip on their shoulder: <\/strong>The American squad has a bone to pick with the Canadians, who defeated them in last year\u2019s feisty 4 Nations Face-Off<\/a>. Their secret weapon? A deep goaltender roster<\/a>, led by three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc40 Catch the American men in action for the first time today at 3:10 p.m. ET against Latvia. Drop that puck.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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