2026 Olympic Games: Medal Predictions, Odds and Picks for Feb. 20

Friday’s Olympic slate delivers a mix of semifinal pressure, endurance precision and biathlon volatility, and it lines up perfectly for a USA-centric betting card with real upside. Team USA takes the ice in the men’s hockey semifinals against Slovakia with a spot in the gold medal game on the line.

With multiple medal opportunities and other chances to advance to that stage, today’s action carries as much weight as any point in the tournament calendar. There is no easing into it now. Every mistake is magnified and every clean performance can turn into a medal or a ticket to the final. With that in mind, here are the best bets to consider for today’s Olympic slate.

All odds via DraftKings

Men’s Ice Hockey Semifinal

Pick: USA -2.5 (-130)

If the United States wins, the expectation is that it wins comfortably. Slovakia reaching the semifinals is impressive, but the Americans hold clear advantages in depth, transition speed, and finishing ability.

The U.S. has generated consistent offensive pressure throughout the tournament and has shown the ability to stretch games late once opponents are forced to chase. In a semifinal setting, talent gaps tend to widen. Laying the puck line at -2.5 signals confidence that the Americans control the tempo and pull away in the third period to make a statement ahead of a gold medal match on Sunday.

Women’s 1500m Speed Skating Final

Pick: Brittany Bowe To Win Gold (+4000)

At these odds, this is pure longshot value territory. Bowe is one of the most experienced American distance skaters in the field, and the 1500m rewards strategic pacing and strong closing laps.

She will not enter as the favorite, or even close to it, but she has the résumé and championship experience to deliver a clean, technically sharp race. At this number, you are betting on execution and veteran composure. If the favorites falter even slightly, Bowe is capable of capitalizing.

Biathlon: Men’s 15km Mass Start

Pick: Campbell Wright To Win Gold (+1500)

This is the most volatile event on the board. The mass start format features four shooting stages, and a single miss can completely reshuffle the standings. Norway and France dominate the sport, but Wright has proven he can hang with the lead pack during these Games.

At +1500, Wright sits in that sweet spot of being respected by oddsmakers while still offering a significant return. If he shoots clean and stays within striking distance entering the final loop, he will absolutely have a chance to make history.

New Customers: Bet $5+ and get $300 in Bonus Bets if it wins!

Bet Now DraftKings Promo

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 3/15/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 3/8/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Friday’s USA card blends control with calculated aggression. The hockey puck line is the anchor play, built around the idea that the United States can impose its depth, speed and finishing ability over sixty minutes and create separation late. Brittany Bowe is the classic longshot swing in a precision distance race, where clean pacing and veteran composure can matter as much as raw speed if the favorites leave any openings. Campbell Wright provides the highest-ceiling ticket of the day in a mass start format that is defined by volatility, where four shooting stages can completely reshuffle the standings and one clean performance can turn into history.

The key on a slate like this is balance. You are pairing structure with upside, and you are embracing the reality that Olympic pressure can create unexpected outcomes even among the favorites. If Team USA delivers a professional performance on the ice, and if Bowe or Wright catches the right break with a clean execution when it matters most, this has the potential to be one of the most impactful USA-focused betting slates of the week.

From a popularity standpoint, the Americans taking the ice in the hockey match will be must-see TV.

All Odds as of 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 19