Olympic Men’s Hockey Primer: Matthews Makes His Olympic Debut, McDavid Leads Canada’s Charge
It’s a big day on the men’s hockey calendar, and for fans of the NHL, there’s no shortage of familiar faces hitting the Olympic ice. From Auston Matthews captaining Team USA to Connor McDavid finally making his long-awaited Olympic debut for Canada, Thursday’s matchups are loaded with star power and storylines.
Let’s break down what to watch for in today’s key games.
Canada vs. Czechia - 10:40 AM ET
Canada opens its Olympic campaign with a roster that reads like an NHL All-Star sheet. Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar headline a Canadian squad that blends generational talent with Olympic first-timers hungry for gold. This isn’t just a collection of elite players-it’s a team that’s been waiting years for this opportunity, finally getting their shot on the world’s biggest stage.
McDavid is expected to center the top line alongside Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson. That trio offers a mix of speed, skill, and edge. Celebrini’s inclusion adds a youth injection, while Wilson brings the kind of physicality that can shift momentum in tournament play.
MacKinnon will anchor the second line with Brandon Hagel and Sam Reinhart, giving Canada a second wave of scoring that most teams would envy as their top unit.
And then there’s the nostalgia-meets-firepower line: Mitch Marner skating with Sidney Crosby and Mark Stone. It’s a blend of hockey IQ, defensive responsibility, and offensive creativity. Crosby might not be in his prime anymore, but with Marner’s playmaking and Stone’s two-way game, this line could be a difference-maker.
On the other side, Czechia counters with a more understated-but still dangerous-group. David Kampf is expected to slot into a second-line role, flanked by Ondrej Palat and Ondrej Kase.
Kampf’s journey has been anything but typical-after refusing an AHL assignment with the Toronto Marlies, he signed a one-year deal with Vancouver and has since earned a spot in Czechia’s top-six. He brings a defensive-minded, possession-heavy style that could help Czechia slow the game down and frustrate Canada’s high-octane attack.
Denmark vs. Germany - 1:10 PM ET
This one might fly under the radar, but don’t sleep on the potential fireworks.
Germany enters the tournament with serious upside, led by Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stutzle-two dynamic forwards capable of taking over a game. Draisaitl’s size and vision, paired with Stutzle’s speed and creativity, give Germany a legitimate shot to play spoiler against more established hockey powers.
Denmark, meanwhile, brings a gritty, experienced group to the table. Nikolaj Ehlers provides the offensive spark, while veteran Lars Eller anchors the middle.
And in net? It’s Frederik Andersen, the former Maple Leafs goaltender who’s no stranger to pressure-packed games.
If Andersen gets hot, Denmark could make life difficult for anyone.
Expect this one to be physical, tight-checking, and maybe even a little nasty-classic tournament hockey between two teams with something to prove.
USA vs. Latvia - 3:10 PM ET
Here’s the main event, especially for fans in Toronto and across the U.S.
Auston Matthews is set to make his Olympic debut-and he’s doing it as captain of Team USA. It’s a moment years in the making, and Matthews isn’t just showing up-he’s leading the charge. He’ll center a top line with Jake Guentzel and Matt Boldy, forming a trio that combines elite finishing, playmaking, and puck control.
Matthews hasn’t been shy about the team’s ambitions.
“We should be competing for gold,” he said back on January 26. “You want to be the best country in the world, and this is a great opportunity.”
There’s no mistaking the stakes here. The U.S. believes it belongs at the top of the hockey world, and with Matthews wearing the ‘C’, that belief has a face.
Latvia will bring its trademark grit and structure, but this is a game the U.S. expects to control. Still, Olympic openers can be tricky-especially against a team that won’t go away quietly.
The Bigger Picture
Both Canada and the United States enter this tournament as co-favorites, and it’s easy to see why. They’re deep, skilled, and motivated.
But Olympic hockey has a way of throwing curveballs. Upsets happen, heroes emerge from unexpected places, and momentum can swing on a single shift.
Today marks the start of what could be a golden journey for North America’s biggest hockey powers. But as we’ve seen before, nothing’s guaranteed once the puck drops.
Buckle up-Olympic hockey is officially underway.