Crosby, McDavid Lead the Charge as Canada Blanks Czechia in Olympic Opener
When the lights shine brightest on the international stage, Sidney Crosby has a knack for reminding the hockey world exactly who he is. And in Team Canada’s opening game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, the veteran captain wasted no time setting the tone.
Canada rolled to a dominant 5-0 win over Czechia in their preliminary round opener on Thursday, thanks to a balanced offensive attack, sharp puck movement, and a vintage performance from Crosby - who tallied two assists in the win. Right alongside him was alternate captain Connor McDavid, whose three assists helped fuel a Canadian offense that looked every bit as dangerous as advertised.
Opening Statement
The scoring started late in the first period, but it was worth the wait. With just five seconds left on the clock, 17-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini got his Olympic debut off to a memorable start, redirecting a Cale Makar shot past Czech netminder Lukas Dostal. It was a quick-strike goal that gave Canada a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission and set the tone for what was to come.
From there, the floodgates opened.
Early in the second, Crosby showed off his trademark vision, threading a slick feed to Mitch Marner, who then delivered a no-look pass to Mark Stone crashing the net. Stone buried it, giving Canada a 2-0 cushion and showcasing the kind of chemistry that makes this roster so dangerous.
Later in the period, Bo Horvat added to the tally, finishing a clean sequence that pushed the lead to 3-0 heading into the final 20 minutes.
Power Play Precision
Canada’s special teams made their mark in the third. After Dominik Kubalik took a seat for interference, it took just 13 seconds for the Canadians to cash in. Crosby, McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon put on a passing clinic - a perfect tic-tac-toe sequence that ended with MacKinnon lighting the lamp for his first goal of the tournament.
That goal wasn’t just a highlight-reel moment - it was a reminder of how lethal this power play unit can be when it’s clicking. With playmakers like Crosby and McDavid orchestrating from the half-wall and MacKinnon lurking in shooting lanes, opposing penalty kills are going to have their hands full.
Finishing Strong
Canada wasn’t done yet. Nick Suzuki added the exclamation point later in the third, finishing off a play set up by McDavid to make it 5-0. It was another example of Canada’s depth - every line contributing, every shift carrying weight.
On the other end of the ice, Jordan Binnington stood tall between the pipes, stopping all 26 shots he faced to earn the shutout. Calm, composed, and in control, Binnington gave Canada exactly what they needed in net - and if he keeps this form, it’ll be tough for any team to break through.
What’s Next
With their first test behind them, Canada now turns its attention to Switzerland, who they'll face Friday at 3:10 p.m. ET. If this opener is any indication, the Canadians are locked in - and with Crosby and McDavid leading the charge, they’re going to be a problem for anyone standing in their way.
The road to gold is long, but Canada just took a confident first step.