Nick Suzuki Set to Make Olympic Debut as Canada Opens Against Czechia
After Juraj Slafkovsky’s electric performance in Slovakia’s upset over Finland to open the men’s Olympic hockey tournament, all eyes now turn to Team Canada - and to Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, who’s set to make his Olympic debut today against Czechia.
Suzuki’s role has evolved slightly since the team’s initial practices. While he originally skated alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Brad Marchand, Wednesday’s lines told a different story: Bo Horvat had slotted in for MacKinnon, signaling a likely fourth-line assignment for Suzuki. But let’s be clear - this isn’t your typical fourth line.
With a roster stacked with NHL All-Stars, head coach John Cooper is leaning into chemistry and versatility more than traditional line hierarchies. Suzuki and Horvat on the same unit gives Canada two strong faceoff options and a pair of smart, two-way centers who can handle tough defensive assignments.
Expect them to see significant ice time, especially against top opposing lines. This is less about depth chart placement and more about strategic deployment - and Suzuki fits that mold perfectly.
He’s also getting looks on the penalty kill, another sign of how much trust the coaching staff has in his defensive game. The PK units appear to be shaping up with Horvat and Brendan Hagel as the lead duo, followed by Mitch Marner and Mark Stone.
Suzuki and Marchand round out the third group - a pairing that could easily step in if penalties pile up or matchups demand a change. Having Suzuki in that mix underscores his value beyond the scoresheet.
On the power play, though, Suzuki hasn’t cracked the rotation just yet. The top unit is a who’s who of Canadian firepower: Sam Reinhart, MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Cale Makar.
The second group isn’t far behind, with Stone, Horvat, Macklin Celebrini, Shea Theodore, and Marner. Cooper is sticking with combinations that have proven successful in past tournaments like the 4 Nations Face-Off - and since Suzuki wasn’t part of those units, it’s no surprise he’s not being shuffled in now.
But with the tournament just beginning, roles can shift quickly.
As for Canada’s opponent, Czechia is bringing a battle-tested lineup with 13 NHL players, including David Pastrnak, Tomas Hertl, Martin Necas, and Radko Gudas. This is a team with skill, grit, and enough international experience to make things interesting.
Slovakia’s 4-1 win over Finland was a reminder that Olympic hockey doesn’t always follow the script. Canada will need to be sharp from puck drop.
In goal, Cooper is turning to Jordan Binnington - the same netminder who backstopped Canada to victory at the 4 Nations tournament. Czechia counters with Lukas Dostal between the pipes, a young goalie with the ability to steal a game if he gets hot.
Canada may be the favorite on paper, but Olympic ice has a way of leveling the playing field. For Suzuki, this is a chance to make his mark on the international stage - not just as a representative of the Canadiens, but as a key piece in Canada’s pursuit of gold.