{"id":450310,"date":"2026-02-07T14:57:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T14:57:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/450310\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T14:57:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T14:57:16","slug":"a-canadiens-fans-guide-to-the-2026-winter-olympic-hockey-tournament-the-hockey-writers-montreal-canadiens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/450310\/","title":{"rendered":"A Canadiens Fan\u2019s Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympic Hockey Tournament – The Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Montreal Canadiens head into the Olympic break on a high, but their fans must deal with the conflicted feelings of stars Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson having been snubbed by Team U.S.A<\/a>. Thankfully, there are four other Habs plying their trades for their respective countries in Italy, none of whom are American. So, conflict resolved?<\/p>\n

Obviously, the Canadiens boast a fanbase large enough<\/a> to fill a small country that helps fill arenas wherever they go, including in the States<\/a>. So, maybe not. The Hockey Writers would never tell any fan for whom they should cheer, but we would make it easier for you to, by providing you an easy-to-navigate guide of when and where you can watch your favourite team\u2019s Olympians.<\/p>\n

Related:\u00a0Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men\u2019s Hockey Tournament<\/a><\/p>\n

So, ranked in no particular order (other than clear significance to the Canadiens, clearly; none of this alphabetical hubbub), here they are, all scheduled games listed in Eastern Time:<\/p>\n

Suzuki: Team Canada<\/p>\n

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki<\/a> is in the midst of another career year, having consistently one-upped himself statistically. Well-respected for his 200-foot game, he\u2019s impressively on pace to flirt with 100 points this season after exceeding the point-per-game plateau for the first time in 2024-25. So, it\u2019s little wonder Canada named him to its full roster on Dec. 31.<\/p>\n

As the projected powerhouse of Group A, Canada first plays Czechia on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 10:40 a.m. The country\u2019s second game is the next day, on Feb. 13, at 3:10 p.m. against Switzerland. Canada last faces France on Feb. 15 at 10:40 a.m.<\/p>\n

Slafkovsky: Team Slovakia<\/p>\n

Juraj Slafkovsky<\/a> was the sole Canadiens player named to his country\u2019s six-man preliminary roster<\/a> this past summer, which should be no surprise. Not only was he named the 2022 tournament\u2019s most valuable player, but he\u2019s also one of just seven Slovakian NHLers<\/a> named to the team in all. While at this stage he may be the country\u2019s most noteworthy name, having gone first overall at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft to the Habs<\/a>, this season especially, he\u2019s emerged as a consistent scoring threat, with a career-high 21 goals already.<\/p>\n

\"JurajMontreal Canadiens forwards and proud Olympians Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky \u2013 (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Playing in Group B Slovakia opens its tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 11 against Finland (10:40 a.m.). On Feb. 13, the country next faces Italy (6:10 a.m.). Slovakia closes out the preliminary round the next day on Feb. 14 against Sweden (6:10 a.m.).<\/p>\n

Kapanen: Team Finland<\/p>\n

Oliver Kapanen co-leads all NHL rookies with 18 goals (Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks), forming a line with Slafkovsky above (and fellow-rookie Ivan Demidov). While there\u2019s a good case that Kapanen is more so the beneficiary of their talents than the other way around, he\u2019s nevertheless undeniably proven to be a good fit there, even as potentially a temporary solution to fill the role of the team\u2019s ever-elusive second-line centre.<\/p>\n

Representing the reigning Olympic-champion Finns, Kapanen probably won\u2019t play nearly as high-profile a role. So, brace yourself, there. Playing in Group B, he and Finland open their tournament against Slafkovsky\u2019s Slovakia on Feb. 11 at 10:40 a.m. They next play their biggest rivals on the international stage in Sweden on Feb. 13 at 6:10 a.m. They close out the group-play portion of the tournament on Feb. 14 against Italy at 10:40 a.m.<\/p>\n

Texier: Team France<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear how healthy Alexandre Texier will be for the Olympics, as he\u2019s dealing with a lower-body injury<\/a> that kept him out of action for the Canadiens\u2019 last three games. It\u2019s been an otherwise eventful season for the Frenchman as he looks to represent his country as its only current NHLer (joined by ex-NHLers like Pierre-Edourad Bellemare, Stephane Da Costa and Yohann Auvitu). After having had his contract terminated by the St. Louis Blues at his request, he chased greener pastures by signing with the Habs, where he broke out with consecutive career-high three-point games and then signed a two-year, $5 million deal.<\/p>\n

While Texier and his country represent the lowest-profile entries in this guide, he would surely love to cap off the excitement with an impressive showing at the Olympics, as unlikely as that may be. Playing in Group A, France first plays bordering Switzerland on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 6:10 a.m. A hopefully healthy Texier next plays Czechia on Feb. 13 at 10:40 a.m., while closing out his tournament on Feb. 15 against Canada at 10:40 a.m.<\/p>\n

Where to Watch the Olympic Hockey Tournament<\/p>\n

In Canada, the CBC and its partner networks, Sportsnet and TSN<\/a>, are fans\u2019 best bets to watch Olympic hockey. Both the Canadian men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams\u2019 games will be broadcast on those three channels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"SUBSCRIBE<\/a><\/p>\n

In the U.S., NBC\/Peacock officially host the Games<\/a>. Hockey games will stream live online and via Peacock. Channels like NBC, USA Network, CNBC, and NBCSN will rebroadcast them at various times of the day. Meanwhile, for online-print Olympic hockey coverage, visit\u00a0THW for the latest on all your favourite teams\u2019 players throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n

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