It’s been 46 years since “The Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team took home the gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y.

This will be the Americans’ best shot at an Olympic gold medal in more than a decade because NHL players will take part in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, for the for the first time since the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.

South Carolina Stingrays head coach David Warsofsky played for the U.S. in the 2022 Winter Olympics. Warsofsky, who played parts of five seasons in the NHL, also played in Europe for three years.

Warsofsky provided The Post and Courier with this breakdown of the United States’ second game of the tournament against Denmark, which will be played Feb. 14 at 3:10 p.m.

Forwards

U.S.: Similar to the first game against Latvia, U.S. holds another clear advantage within the forward group. As they in showed in game one this forward is dynamic and physical at the same time. The stars came out in game one and I expect the same against Latvia.

Denmark: This forward group will be led by NHL’ers Nicolas Ehlers and Lars Eller. After that it is a forward group comprised of players currently playing in Europe. Although they will work hard and make the U.S. forwards compete for every inch of ice they just do not have the depth to hang in there for 60 minutes.

Advantage: U.S.

The blue line

U.S.: Like we saw in the Latvia game, this defensive core is probably the best in the whole tournament. The chemistry these pairings are starting to create is special to watch. Puck moving defenseman with stay-at-home defenseman is a recipe for success. Look for this group to continue to dominate opposing forwards.

Denmark: With no current NHLers in this group it is going to be a real struggle to handle the U.S. forwards. Yes, all of these players are good in their own ways, especially while playing in Europe, but to be matched up against this star-studded group of American forwards will be a tall task.

Advantage: U.S.

Between the pipes

U.S.: If the U.S. chooses to stick with Hellebuyck, then they should be just fine in this game.

Also, on the other hand if they want to get one of the other goalies some playing time, the outcome will still be the same.

Denmark: The Danish definitely have experience on their side between the pipes in Frederik Andersen. But at the end of the day, he will only be able to hold the door shut for so long before U.S. breaks it down.

Advantage: U.S.

Special teams

U.S.: The power play already started to click and build that chemistry in Game 1 of the tournament for U.S. against Latvia. I expect that to continue against Denmark. It will be important to keep it simple, get pucks to the net and let their skill take over. The penalty kill will look to continue to be strong and take away any hope for Denmark.

Denmark: Denmark has the players to put one really good power play unit on the ice. And this unit will be relied upon heavily to keep them in this game. Their penalty kill should be under siege with all the talent U.S. can put over the boards on either unit.

Advantage: U.S.

Prediction

The U.S. will continue its solid start in the 2026 Olympic Games. Getting all over the Danish early will be important. This should not be a close game heading into the third period. I expect the U.S. to come out flying and impose its will early against an inexperienced Danish team.

Score: U.S. 7, Denmark 2