The 21-year-old is favourite for the 500 metres, 1000m and 1500m after a season of commanding performances, while also taking aim at the chaotic mass start for good measure.
Standing in his way in the 500m and 1000m are Poland's Damian Zurek and Dutch flyer Jenning de Boo, who established themselves as the sprint circuit's most reliable podium threats.
The endurance battles promise equal intrigue, with Czech teenager Metodej Jilek riding a breakthrough campaign alongside Frenchman Timothy Loubineaud.
Loubineaud's November world record in the 5000m - albeit briefly held before Norway's Sander Eitrem shattered it - underlined his threat across long distances.
Belgium's Bart Swings returns to defend the mass start crown that delivered his nation's first Winter Olympic gold in 74 years at Beijing 2022.
The US are favourites for the men's team pursuit after topping the World Cup standings, though the Netherlands remain a formidable force alongside France.
Unstoppable Kok vs relentless Jackson
The Netherlands' Femke Kok headlines the women's competition after smashing Lee Sang-hwa's 2013 500m world record with a blistering 36.09 seconds in Salt Lake City.
That performance announced her as the sprinter to beat across the 500m and 1000m at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium.
However, even at 33, Erin Jackson remains fiercely competitive as she chases more glory, while carrying flag-bearing duties with bobsledder Frank Del Duca, four years after becoming the first Black woman to win individual Winter Games gold.
American Brittany Bowe enters her farewell Olympics with unfinished business, with the six-time speed skating world champion seeking the one medal missing from her collection, an Olympic gold, having collected bronze in 2018 and 2022.
Defending 1000m champion Miho Takagi of Japan looks primed for another strong showing after topping the World Cup 1500m standings, while the distance events promise fireworks between Norway's Ragne Wiklund and Canada's Isabelle Weidemann, who returns after a three-medal haul in Beijing.
American Mia Manganello brings career-best form into her final Olympic appearance after capturing three World Cup medals including her maiden gold.
Meanwhile, Canada's Ivanie Blondin anchors the defending team pursuit champions alongside Valerie Maltais and Weidemann, with the trio finishing the World Cup season ranked number one.
Speed skating competition runs through February 21.