It’s finally here. After a 12-year wait to see NHL players back on Olympic ice, Canada’s star-studded unit will take the ice Thursday against Czechia. It is a tough test to start the men’s hockey tournament for the Canadians, who won gold in 2014.

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Jon Cooper has not made anything official and Canada did not have a morning skate in Milan as they have an earlier game. The players, however, did skate Wednesday in front of the assembled media, which gives us a good chance to project out what Cooper is thinking.

One thing he has not yet confirmed is who will be his starting goalie. Canada opens the tournament with back-to-back games and will likely use two goalies for that setup. Many believe Jordan Binnington will start the game against Czechia after backstopping Canadad to the 4 Nations Face Off win last year. He has struggled mightily for the St. Louis Blues this year, however. It appears that Darcy Kuemper will not dress for the game against Czechia, per TSN's Ryan Rishaug, which means it's down to Binnington and Logan Thompson.

Here’s a look at how Canada is expected to line up for Thursday’s opening game, as reported by Mark Masters of TSN. 

Team Canada Projected Lineup Vs. Czechia

Forwards

Macklin Celebrini – Connor McDavid – Tom Wilson

Brandon Hagel – Nathan MacKinnon – Sam Reinhart

Mitch Marner – Sidney Crosby – Mark Stone

Brad Marchand – Bo Horvat – Nick Suzuki

Sam Bennett

Defense

Devon Toews – Cale Makar

Josh Morrissey – Colton Parayko

Thomas Harley – Drew Doughty

Shea Theodore

Goalies

Jordan Binnington

Logan Thompson

Scratches: Seth Jarvis, Travis Sanheim, Darcy Kuemper

Team Canada Lineup Analysis

When you see Sidney Crosby as the No. 3 center on the team, the depth is undeniable. Every line is a threat and the forwards are the heart and soul of this team. 

Connor McDavid is getting a chance to play alongside Macklin Celebrini, the youngest player on Team Canada and one of the youngest in the tournament period. He could have played in the World Juniors this year and instead will be riding shotgun with the best player in the world.

Every where you look, there’s another superstar talent. Canada has six Hart Trophies on their roster with Crosby, McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon bringing all that hardware. That’s not to mention a ton of Stanley Cup winners, too.

Where Canada has reason for concern is that their defense feels a little shallower. It’s by no means a problem, it’s just not as good as some of the other squads including Team USA’s, at least on paper. But this is the D corps that Canada rode at the 4 Nations and will keep it together.

The biggest question will be if Binnington has his A game and if that’s good enough to get Canada through. The preliminary stage seems like it could be a breeze, but getting through it clean will be important. 

Per Rishaug, Seth Jarvis and Travis Sanheim skated with Kuemper Thursday before Canada's game, meaning they're the likeliest scratches for the game as no one else skated.

How To Watch 2026 Winter Olympic Hockey In US And Canada

Viewers in the United States can watch the 2026 Olympic Winter Games streaming live via Peacock and the NBCOlympics website. It is also available through your TV provider via NBC, USA Network, CNBC, and NBCSN.

Viewers in Canada can watch Milan Cortina 2026 via CBC through your TV provider or stream for free on the app or at CBCGem.ca.

Watch professional and junior hockey live streaming throughout February on FloHockey including the American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL, and many of North America's top junior leagues: OHL, QMJHL, and USHL.

Olympic Hockey Schedule 2026: Here's When Canada, Team USA Play

All times Eastern.

Thursday, Feb. 12

Women's Group A

• Finland vs Canada | 2:30 p.m. 

Men's Group A

• Switzerland vs. France | 6:10 a.m.
• Czechia vs. Canada | 10:40 a.m.

Men's Group C

• Latvia vs. USA | 3:10 p.m.
• Germany vs. Denmark | 3:10 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 13

Men's Group B

• Finland vs. Sweden | 6:10 a.m.
• Italy vs. Slovakia | 6:10 a.m.

Men's Group A

• France vs. Czechia | 10:40 a.m.
• Canada vs. Switzerland | 3:10 p.m.

Women's Quarterfinal Matchups

• Canada vs. TBD | 10:40 a.m.
• USA vs. Italy | 3:10 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14

Men's Group B

• Sweden vs. Slovakia | 6:10 a.m.
• Finland vs. Italy | 10:40 a.m.

Men's Group C

• Germany vs. Latvia | 6:10 a.m.
• USA vs. Denmark | 3:10 p.m.

Women's Quarterfinal Matchups

• TBD | 10:40 a.m.
• TBD | 3:10 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 15

Men's Group A

• Switzerland vs. Czechia | 6:10 a.m.
• Canada vs. France | 10:40 a.m.

Men's Group C

• USA vs. Germany | 3:10 p.m.
• Denmark vs. Latvia | 3:10 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 16

• Women's Semifinal Matchups
  • TBD | 10:40 a.m.
  • TBD | 3:10 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

• Men's Qualification playoff matchups
  • TBD | 6:10 a.m.
  • TBD | 6:10 a.m.
  • TBD | 10:40 a.m.
  • TBD | 3:10 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

• Men's Quarterfinal matchups
  • TBD | 6:10 a.m.
  • TBD | 10:40 a.m.
  • TBD | 12:10 p.m.
  • TBD | 3:10 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 19

• Women's Bronze medal game | 8:40 a.m.
• Women's Gold medal game | 1:10 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20

• Men's Semifinal matchups
  • TBD | 10:40 a.m.
  • TBD | 3:10 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21

• Men's Bronze medal game | 2:40 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 22

• Men's Gold medal game | 8:10 a.m.

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