Men's Olympic Ice Hockey
2026 Olympic
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Canada is playing its first game in men's hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, taking on Czechia.
With NHL players competing in the Olympics for the first time in 12 years, today's game marks the Olympic debut of several star players including Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
To those wondering why Adam Fox and Jason Robertson didn't make Team USA, watching Canada's speed at even strength is the answer.
P1 8:45 – Czechia 0, Canada 0
Toews rips a shot from the point that takes a deflection in front of the net and forces a kick save from Dostal.
Connor McDavid, Sam Bennett and Tom Wilson all with thunderous body checks so far in the opening period. I would have banked on two of those guys doing that. Not the first!
Nick Suzuki has only take five penalties all season in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens. It took him less than eight minutes to take one at the Olympics.
P1 10:00 – Czechia 0, Canada 0
The Czechs had a decent look or two but weren't able to create much during that PP.
Early on, the most Czech pressure has come with the Morrissey-Parayko pairing on the ice at even strength.
P1 12:16 – Czechia 0, Canada 0
MacKinnon looks to have scored a goal, but it won't count! Suzuki is called for tripping Rutta a split-second before MacKinnon sniped a shot past Dostal. What a big call.
P1 12:33 – Czechia 0, Canada 0
A drop pass from MacKinnon to Hagel sets up a nice shot, but Dostal makes the save.
A very Czechia pro crowd here today. Which of course makes sense on this side of the pond. Great atmosphere in here.
Czechs with a big kill early on. Dostal a couple sharp saves on Crosby and Reinhart on the PP.
Team Canada's PP1, which I refer to as Sam Reinhart and the 4 Beatles (McDavid, Crosby, MacKinnon and Makar), got a few decent looks there.
P1 15:45 – Czechia 0, Canada 0
A blast by Celebrini from the blue line misses the target. The Czechs clear the zone and time runs out on the power play.
P1 17:13 – Czechia 0, Canada 0
Big chance for Crosby in the slot, but Dostal stops him with a nice glove save from close range. Gudas gives Crosby a shove after the play for good measure.
Prior to the power play, Connor McDavid put a massive hit on Lukáš Sedlák on his first shift of the game. No. 97 means business.
P1 17:55 – Czechia 0, Canada 0
Canada is off to a flying start, generating several dangerous chances in the opening two minutes. And now they've got a power play, thanks to a holding call on Lukáš Sedlák.
P1 20:00 – Czechia 0, Canada 0
We're underway at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena!
There are a TON of Czech Republic fans inside Milano Santagiulia. Czech fans are draped around the circumference of the ice.
When the in-arena host asked fans to cheer for their respective countries, the Czech supporters were louder.
Counterpoint: Starting Binnington today is a mistake. The only game that truly matters for Canada is an elimination game against USA or Sweden. And by giving Binnington starts early and allowing him to “win” the net, they’re raising the odds that he’s the guy they go to when there’s actual risk. Thompson should have started today and had the leg up.
Starting Binnington is the right call for Canada. If Binnington just doesn’t have it, and his performance this season gives us ample reason to think he may not, then Canada’s goaltenders will sort it out by their performance in time for the elimination round.
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