On Thursday, Canada and Czechia faced off in their first match of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics. It also marked the first time since the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics that NHL players have been able to participate.
Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Women’s Hockey Tournament
Czechia is highly motivated whenever they face off against Canada, and they are a dark-horse favourite to reach the podium, with a roster featuring several stars, including David Pastrnak and Martin Necas. From Connor McDavid to Sidney Crosby, however, the Canadians are vying for another gold medal.
From the opening faceoff, Canada took command of the game, setting the pace and imposing their style. Czechia pushed back at times, using their speed to the outside, but they couldn’t solve the Canadian defensive scheme. However, Canada lost defenseman Josh Morrissey to an injury early in the game.
Canada’s stars showed up. Connor McDavid had three points, and the team earned goals from five different players, including the first-time Olympians Macklin Celebrini, Bo Horvat and Nick Suzuki. Combined, they gave more than enough offensive support for Jordan Binnington, who earned the shutout.
It was a complete team effort by Team Canada, who took charge and never let go. In the end, Canada earned a 5-0 win.
Canada vs. Czechia Featured Speed, Speed and More Speed
Both Canada and Czechia played at a breakneck pace for most of the game. The smaller ice surface will affect the games, as there is less time and space to make plays, leaving players to pre-plan their attacks. Canada performed well in that style; Czechia had some difficulties, especially since Canada has far more skilled players throughout their roster than Czechia.
However, don’t sleep on Team Czechia, which has one of the best goal scorers in the world in David Pastrnak. Unfortunately, their offence had to deal with Cale Makar, who can shut down any top line, and the veteran wiles of Drew Doughty, who provides skilled depth on defence.
Speed was a factor on special teams, as Canada scored a power-play goal thanks to Nathan MacKinnon, from Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. Czechia’s penalty kill had no response.
Team Canada Line Blender
Before the tournament, there was plenty of discussion about how the line combinations would turn out, and head coach Jon Cooper kicked off the game with a set lineup but spent the entire first period juggling his lines, testing chemistry, and also getting each player an opportunity to get into the game.
We don’t have a lot of time. This isn’t about throwing darts at a dartboard. Who can keep up with who? Can we peek at a little chemistry in practice?
The pressure to win is always on the defending gold medalists, and these Olympics are no different, since Team Canada won gold the last time NHLers participated, just as Finland is looking to defend their title from 2022. Retired NHL forward and Olympic gold-medal winner with Team Sweden, Henrik Zetterberg, stated that Canada is one of his pre-tournament favourites.
“Sweden, Finland – let’s say all nations except the U.S. and Canada – we’re not as deep as the North American teams.”
-Henrik Zetterberg
The key for Cooper is finding four lines that can contribute, not just offensively, but by finding an identity that helps Canada win games. In this opening matchup, he did just that.
My Kingdom for a Goalie
The biggest question mark about Canada heading into the tournament was goaltending. Jordan Binnington was given the start, and then fans held their breath, wondering which version of the St. Louis Blues goaltender they’d see – the 4 Nations tournament version who won gold, or the one who is struggling with the Blues this season. Czechia, on the other hand, was relying on Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, who had an 8-2-0 record with a .924 save percentage in his last 10 games leading up to this tournament
Binnington quieted the concerns. With elite defensive talent in front of him, his focus is to make the first save, and he can trust his defenders to clear away the rebounds.
At the other end, Dostal was solid, making several stellar saves while being under siege all night. Czechia allowed far too many high-danger scoring chances, especially from in tight. The shots on goal may not seem one-sided, 36-26 in favour of Canada, but there was very little opportunity for Czechia to generate second chances; they were simply outgunned by a deeper Canadian team.
Canada Back on Friday
Canada will take on Switzerland tomorrow at 15:10 PM ET.
