Predicting Canada's forward lines, defence pairs and starting goalie at Olympics
Hockey fans across the globe are counting down the days for the start of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The men’s hockey tournament, which begins Feb. 11, is highly anticipated this year, as it marks the first time NHL players have participated since 2014.
After coming out victorious in the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, Canada is viewed as the favourite once again.
The team has already been picked, but how will they line up once they get to Milan? Here are some predictions.
Team Canada forward lines
Marchand – McDavid – Reinhart
Crosby – MacKinnon – Point
Stone – Celebrini – Marner
Hagel – Cirelli – Wilson
Suzuki
(Scratch: Horvat)
Unlike the NHL, IIHF rules allow teams to dress 20 skaters and two goalies for each game. Let’s assume they opt to dress 13 forwards and seven blueliners.
The top line works well, given that it would provide Connor McDavid with one of the NHL’s best goal scorers in Sam Reinhart. Brad Marchand has familiarity with Reinhart and is having an incredible season with the Florida Panthers.
There is no reason to split up Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, and Brayden Point’s elite hockey IQ should make him an ideal match for them.
The third line of Mark Stone, Macklin Celebrini, and Mitch Marner is one that can not only score goals but are also extremely reliable, while the fourth line of Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, and Tom Wilson will bring the chippiness.
Nick Suzuki is deserving of this lineup and could take shifts from Cirelli, while Bo Horvat could sit early as a healthy scratch.
Team Canada defence pairs
Toews – Makar
Morrissey – Doughty
Theodore – Sanheim
Parayko
(Scratch: Harley)
Cale Makar and Devon Toews were an elite pair at 4 Nations, and will be expected to log heavy minutes for Canada.
Josh Morrissey is another who will log heavy minutes and could swap partners throughout the tournament, but starting him with veteran Drew Doughty to round out the top four is a solid bet.
Shea Theodore, who only suited up for one game of 4 Nations due to injury, should have a big role for Canada as well. He will start with Travis Sanheim, who often plays his off side for the Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, Colton Parayko gives them a third right-shot option.
Team Canada goalies
Thompson
Binnington
(Scratch: Kuemper)
As good as Jordan Binnington was for Canada at 4 Nations, his woeful .867 save percentage through 30 games with the St. Louis Blues this season can’t be ignored. Logan Thompson has been exceptional yet again in 2025-26, and the Washington Capitals starter is deserving of the No. 1 role to begin this tournament.
Binnington does, however, always seem to elevate his play when the stakes are high. That should be enough to give him the upper-hand over Darcy Kuemper, who probably won’t see playing time, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Team Canada power-play units
Power play 1
McDavid – Crosby – MacKinnon
Reinhart – Makar
Power play 2Ā
Stone – Celebrini – Marner
Point – Morrissey
If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. This first power play unit was incredible at 4 Nations and should do damage once again. The second unit features a ton of skill, with Marner working on the half wall while Stone serves as a net-front presence.
Team Canada penalty-kill units
Penalty kill 1Ā
Hagel – Cirelli
Sanheim – Parayko
Penalty kill 2
Stone – Suzuki
Theodore – Doughty
Head coach Jon Cooper uses Hagel and Cirelli on his penalty kill with the Tampa Bay Lightning on a regular basis and has a ton of confidence in both. Sanheim and Parayko were brought specifically for this reason.
The second unit features two very strong defensive forwards in Stone and Suzuki. Theodore has turned into a very good shutdown blueliner for the Vegas Golden Knights, and Doughty is no stranger to killing penalties.
- You might also like:
- FIFA is hosting free World Cup parties across Canada this summer