The Canadian Men's Hockey Team begins its quest for gold at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Thursday.
The pregame narrative: Canada is a sizeable favourite over the Czech Republic in its first group stage game of the tournament. The return of best-on-best hockey sees superstars like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and David Pastrnak make their Olympic debuts.
Check out our Czech Republic vs. Canada preview and betting odds for the match on Feb. 12 at 10:40 a.m. ET.
-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the Winter Olympics
Czech Republic vs. Canada preview and betting odds
Canada is -1,000 on the moneyline as of Monday afternoon, meaning bettors would have to wager $1,000 to net $100 of profit.
Backing the Canadians to win by three-plus goals carries more palatable -125 odds.
Jon Cooper's squad is currently favoured to win gold (-106). The Czech Republic occupies the middle of the outright odds board (+2,500).
| Market | Betting odds |
| Canada moneyline | -1,000 |
| Czech Republic moneyline | +500 |
| Canada -2.5 | -125 |
| Czech Republic -2.5 | -112 |
| Over 6.5 goals | +100 |
| Under 6.5 goals | -150 |
-> Bet on Canada to win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics now!
Czech Republic vs. Canada odds as of 12 p.m. ET Feb. 9, 2026.
Canada hockey Olympic preview
Hockey fans got a taste of best-on-best action at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, which culminated in a victory for Canada over the United States.
Most of that Canadian roster has returned for the 2026 Olympics, with a few changes.
Sophomore sensation Macklin Celebrini headlines the newcomers alongside Bo Horvat, Nick Suzuki, Tom Wilson, Darcy Kuemper, and Logan Thompson.
These are the projected lines for Team C heading into Thursday's game:
🇨🇦 lines at first practice of Milan Olympics
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 8, 2026
Celebrini - McDavid - Wilson
Marchand - MacKinnon - Suzuki
Stone - Crosby - Marner
Hagel - Horvat - Reinhart
Jarvis, Bennett
Toews - Makar
Morrissey - Parayko
Harley - Doughty
Theodore - Sanheim @TSN_Sports
Jordan Binnington, who was lights out in the 4 Nations, is expected to start in goal.
-> See full Czech Republic vs. Canada odds at NorthStar Bets!
The Czech Republic has some elite star power up front with Pastrnak, Tomas Hertl and Martin Necas leading the charge, but the team lacks the depth to contend with Canada's star-studded roster.
Lines and Pairings at the first practice for Team Czechia 🇨🇿
— Daily Faceoff - Fantasy (@DFOFantasy) February 8, 2026
Necas - Hertl - Pastrnak
Palat - Kampf - Kase
Cervenka - Sedlak - Tomasek
Stransky - Faksa - Kubalik
Hronek - Simek
Kempny - Gudas
Spacek - Rutta
Lukas Dostal is slated to start in goal for the Czech Republic.
The 25-year-old struggled to begin the NHL season with the Anaheim Ducks, but he enters in strong form with a .930 SV% and 1.96 GAA in his last nine games.
