Figure skating’s Grand Prix Series and the U.S.-Canada Rivalry Series in women’s hockey both share the spotlight in Olympic sports this weekend.
**Figure Skating at the NHK Trophy**
The NHK Trophy kicks off Thursday night, streaming live on Peacock. Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto and Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama headline their home Grand Prix event in Japan.
Sakamoto aims to secure a spot in the Grand Prix Final—a goal well within reach if she finishes in the top three. In her previous Grand Prix appearance three weeks ago, Sakamoto posted the world’s second-best score of the season across all competitions.
This year’s six-woman Grand Prix Final is shaping up to be a preview of the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympic competition. Sakamoto is joined in strong contention by American skaters Alysa Liu, the 2025 World Champion, and Amber Glenn, the 2024 Grand Prix Final champion.
On the men’s side, Yuma Kagiyama makes his Grand Prix season debut. He stands as the closest challenger—though at some distance—to Ilia Malinin as the Milan-Cortina Olympics approach. Malinin has recorded the three highest scores in the world this season (333.81, 321.00, and 306.65), followed by Kagiyama’s 285.91.
**Women’s Hockey: USA vs. Canada Rivalry Series**
The U.S. and Canada, who have together won all seven Olympic gold medals since women’s hockey debuted in 1998, meet in their first two games of a four-game Rivalry Series ahead of the Milan-Cortina Games.
NHL Network will air Thursday’s game in Cleveland at 7 p.m. ET and Saturday’s game in Buffalo at 6 p.m. ET.
The U.S. has momentum, having won their last two clashes with Canada at the World Championship last April—2-1 in group play, then 4-3 in an overtime thriller for gold.
Thursday’s game will be especially meaningful for U.S. forward Laila Edwards, as Cleveland is just eight miles from her hometown.
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Catch all the action as Olympic sports showcase world-class athletes and rivalries on ice this weekend!
https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/olympic-sports-weekend-preview-nhk-trophy-figure-skating-rivalry-series-hockey