Zach Werenski and the United States men’s hockey team romped to a 5-1 victory over Latvia and goalie Elvis Merzlikins in the Olympic debuts for the Blue Jackets teammates at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
More: Werenski, Merzlikins make Olympic debuts in U.S. victory over Latvia
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Werenski assisted on the first of four goals against Merzlikins and finished with three of the U.S. team’s 38 shots. Now, playing a reduced role compared to what he usually gets for the Blue Jackets, he’ll face Denmark in a Group C preliminary round game Feb. 14 at Milano Santagiulia Arena in Milan, Italy.
Werenski is wearing the Stars and Stripes for the third time in the past calendar year, after leading all scorers at the NHL’s first 4 Nations Face-Off last February and helping the U.S. end a 92-year gold medal drought at the men’s world championships in May 2025. Werenski has also played for the U.S. three times at world championships and twice at world junior championships.
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CBJ’s Zach Werenski at 2026 Olympics
Zach Werenski of United States during training at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy on February 08, 2026.
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CBJ’s Zach Werenski at 2026 Olympics
Zach Werenski of United States during training at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy on February 08, 2026.
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CBJ’s Zach Werenski at 2026 Olympics
U.S. Olympians Jeremy Swayman, Zach Werenski, Charles McAvoy Jr and Jake Oettinger pose for a photo at the Team USA Welcome Experience at the 206 Milan-Cortina Olympics on February 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
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CBJ’s Zach Werenski at 2026 Olympics
U.S. Olympians Jack Eichel, Jacob Slavin, Matt Boldy and Zach Werenski attend the Team USA Welcome Experience at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics on February 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
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CBJ’s Zach Werenski at 2026 Olympics
Brock Faber #14 and Zach Werenski #8 of Team United States take part during training on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
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CBJ’s Zach Werenski at 2026 Olympics
Quinn Hughes #43 and Zach Werenski #8 of Team United States participate during training on day three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 09, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
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CBJ’s Zach Werenski at 2026 Olympics
Zach Werenski #8 of Team United States takes part during training on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
What time will Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski play for the United States against Denmark at Milano Cortina 2026?
The puck is scheduled to drop for the U.S. and Denmark at 3:10 p.m. ET on Feb. 14 at Milano Santagiulia Arena in Milan, Italy.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) is recognized as he heads off to the Olympics to play for the United States following the NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Nationwide Arena on Feb. 4, 2026. The Blue Jackets won 4-0.
How to watch Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski play for the United States against Denmark at Milano Cortina 2026?
USA Network will broadcast the game live at 3:10 p.m. ET Feb. 14, and the broadcast will also be available via livestream on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
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Stream the Olympics on Peacock.
Zach Werenski #8 of Team United States takes part during training on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Will Zach Werenski get more respect at Milano Cortina 2026?
Werenski led the U.S. and all players in scoring at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, became the first Blue Jackets defenseman to ever lead the team in scoring in 2024-25, finished runner-up for the 2025 Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman and helped the U.S. win its first gold medal at the men’s world championships since 1933.
He also went into the Olympic break leading all NHL defensemen in goals (20) and average points per game (1.19), sits one point off the pace to lead all defensemen in scoring, is second in ice time among all defensemen (26:22) and is on pace for 30 goals.
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Despite those accolades, U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan and a staff that includes former Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella has decided the best way to utilize Werenski is by skating him on the team’s third defensive pairing while playing the right point on his “off” side.
Werenski is also part of the second power play, taking a backseat to the Minnesota Wild’s Quinn Hughes as the top unit’s quarterback. He skated just 17:15 on 21 shifts against Latvia and the only defenseman who skated fewer shifts was the Vegas Golden Knights’ Noah Hanifin, who was designated the extra/seventh defender. It’s remarkable how underutilized Werenski was against Latvia and how much he might be overlooked during this tournament.
Should the U.S. fail to earn a medal, especially gold, it will be one of the biggest criticisms of USA Hockey’s preference for “grit” and “sandpaper” players to handle bigger roles than a Norris Trophy candidate.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How to watch Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski play vs Denmark