Team Canada opened their Olympic men’s hockey campaign with authority, blanking Czechia 5-0 in a performance that looked every bit like a team with gold medal expectations. After capturing the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, the message from this group is clear: it’s gold or bust. And if Thursday’s opener was any indication, they’re not just chasing gold-they’re ready to take it.
Still, even for a team stacked with NHL stars, the Olympic stage brings a different kind of pressure. Just ask Mark Stone.
“Of course, I was nervous. I think everyone was.
Except maybe Sid and Dewey,” Stone said postgame. “Nervous just means you care.”
Stone’s honesty was refreshing, and it also underscored the unique position of Sidney Crosby and Drew Doughty-two veterans who’ve been here before. The only players on this Canadian roster with Olympic experience, Crosby and Doughty were part of the gold medal-winning teams in both 2010 and 2014, the last time NHL players participated in the Games. Their calm presence in the locker room clearly sets the tone for a younger group stepping into the Olympic spotlight for the first time.
Canada came out flying in the first period, controlling play and dictating the pace, but it wasn’t until the dying seconds of the frame that they finally broke through. Macklin Celebrini, the 18-year-old phenom, found the back of the net with just six seconds left, giving Canada a 1-0 lead and cracking the game open.
From there, the floodgates started to open. Stone doubled the lead early in the second, and Bo Horvat added another shortly after to make it 3-0. The Canadians never looked back, maintaining pressure, dominating possession, and never giving Czechia a chance to claw back.
Up front, Canada’s top-end talent showed exactly why they’re considered the deepest forward group in the tournament. With names like Crosby, Stone, Horvat, and Celebrini leading the charge, the offensive firepower is undeniable.
They’re expected to cruise through the Round Robin, with matchups against Switzerland on Friday and France on Sunday. If they take care of business, they’ll earn a bye straight into the quarterfinals.
But as dominant as the offense looked, the real question heading into the tournament was between the pipes. Jordan Binnington, who’s had a rocky season with the St.
Louis Blues, was given the start in Canada’s Olympic opener. And he delivered-pitching a shutout in his debut and looking every bit the guy who backstopped Canada to the 4 Nations title last year.
Binnington’s performance was more than just solid-it was statement-making. He tracked the puck well, controlled rebounds, and looked confident in a high-pressure setting.
Given the importance of goaltending in the elimination rounds, his play could be the X-factor in Canada’s gold medal push. And after Thursday’s showing, it’s hard to see him giving up the crease anytime soon.
The road will only get tougher from here, but if Canada continues to play with this kind of structure, speed, and confidence-backed by steady goaltending-they’ll be a tough out for anyone. The mission is clear, and the team looks locked in.
For now, it’s one game at a time. But make no mistake: this group came to win it all.