In their first matchup of the preliminary round at this year’s Winter Olympics, Team Canada defeated Team Czechia by a final score of 5-0. Czechia was easily tabbed as the underdog versus the offensive firepower of Canada, who boasted a roster composed entirely of NHL players, most of them superstars, when compared to the roster of Czechia. Dostal was unable to hold back the tidal wave of Canada’s relentless attack, and they exposed a weakness in his playstyle, redirects.

The flaw in the armor

While Dostal’s NHL season numbers have not been flattering, his performance in net for the Anaheim Ducks prior to the Olympic break, was more in line with his usual standard. For a majority of the season. the Ducks have not been a good defensive team, allowing multiple odd man rushes and high danger scoring chances. Dostal has been to paper over those mistakes with great athleticism and an uncanny ability to anticipate where the shot is coming from.

In the game against Canada, however, Dostal stopped 31 shots and finished with an .861 save percentage. One of the biggest flaws in Dostal’s game, this season, has been his inability to stop scoring chances from redirects.

In a loss against the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the season, the Ducks made a bad attempt at a defensive zone breakout, and Tage Thompson was able to get his stick down for an easy redirect.

UNREAL. NO NOTES. pic.twitter.com/OMgun673wA

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 11, 2026

Flash forward to the game against Canada and two goals were scored off of redirects. The first was from Macklin Celebrini.

MACKLIN CELEBRINI GOAL. CALE MAKAR ASSIST.

Team Canada grabs their first goal of the Winter Olympics! pic.twitter.com/Y9g95czCNp

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2026

The second redirect of the game came off the stick of Nick Suzuki, with the puck going high, short side on Dostal.

In the regular season, opposing teams may have the pre scout data suggesting that Dostal is vulnearble to redirects. But not every skater is capable of making that kind of play. In the Olympics though and especially against a team like Canada and all their offensive superstars, that kind of play is more easily available.

Going against Canada in the first game was a tough draw for Czechia, as Sidney Crosby and company would make most teams look bad. But Dostal is more than capable of bouncing back, as he done this season for the Ducks. If the other teams continue to target that area of weakness of Dostal though, Czechia might be in for a short tournament.