Winter Olympics: Canada vs. Czechia Picks, Odds, and Preview (Feb 12)
The red-hot favorites to win the gold medal at the Winter Olympics will open their ice hockey campaign on Thursday, as Canada face a potentially challenging clash with Czechia. Find the odds and our picks here.
How to Watch
- When: Thursday, February 12, 2026. 10:40 AM ET
- Where: PalaItalia Santa Giulia, Milan, Italy
- How to Watch: Peacock
Canada vs. Czechia Odds
Canada vs. Czechia Head-to-Head
The head-to-head advantage is with Canada, having won 16 of the previous 22 encounters. Meanwhile, Canada have also won two of the three clashes between the nations at the Winter Olympics.
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Game Preview
The competitive ice hockey action at the Winter Olympics gets underway this week, with Canada opening their campaign on Feb 12 against Czechia in Group A.
Jon Cooper’s team are among the leading contenders to win the gold medal this winter, having achieved more success at the Winter Olympics than any other side in history. Canada boasts a deep roster of NHL stars, including Brad Marchand, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid.
Canada’s dominance in the hockey at the Olympics has faded in recent editions since winning gold in 2014. In fact, they endured one of their worst performances in recent memory in Beijing in 2022, finishing sixth.
Czechia deserves huge respect in this clash, and Radim Rulik’s team will likely be a major contender for a top-two finish. As one of the most successful hockey teams in history, the European nation are included in the ‘Big Six’ alongside Canada and the United States.
Confidence of a shock should be high after winning gold in the 2024 World Championships, while they won the bronze medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics. But, Czechia have limited NHL-quality players to call upon, with a lot of pressure likely to be on Adam Klapka and Daniel Vladar; both of the Calgary Flames.
Canada vs. Czechia Picks
Czechia are a well-structured team, and they will present an interesting challenge to Canada on matchday one. However, the quality that Canada boasts should prove pivotal in the tournament favorites claiming victory.
Free Pick:
