Czechia vs Canada Preview & Prediction | 2026 Winter Olympics | Men’s Ice Hockey | Preliminary Round

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One of the stand-out preliminary round fixtures sees Czechia take on the likes of Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby’s Canada.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports (some events will also be televised on the BBC / TNT Sports / Not Televised / USA – NBC, USA Network, CNBC & NBCSN

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ (some events can be streamed live on the BBC’s digital platforms / USA – Peacock & nbcolympics.com

Czechia vs Canada prediction

Whilst many will understandably look at Canada and see them as certs for a medal when considering their stacked roster of superstars, it doesn’t always work out that way. In Beijing 2022, the Canadians were defeated 2-0 by Sweden in the quarter-finals, underlining how in this format, one bad performance can end your tournament.

All eyes will understandably be on the Canadians whether it be three-time NHL MVP Connor McDavid, ten-time All Star and three-time NHL champion Sidney Crosby or young up and coming phenom Macklin Celebrini. These make up just three of an incredible roster full of individual brilliance and the question now is whether they can translate that to team play.

It would be no surprise if it took Canada some time to really click together as a unit and with that in mind, it’s unlikely that Czechia will be beaten heavily. They aren’t a team to be underestimated with real power and a vastly experienced core. However, Canada should come through.

Czechia vs Canada tip: Canada to win