2016 World Cup: Canada vs. Czech Republic game thread, schedule, lines, and how to watch
Canada looks to start things off on the right foot against the Czechs.
The pre-tournament games are in the books, and now the real thing gets underway in Toronto. Canada first split a back-to-back with the United States, then closed out their exhibition round with an overtime win over Russia, improving to 2-1 in the process.
The Czechs mirrored that record by taking down team North America in their final game, after splitting their first two against the Russians. Canada enters this game as the favourites, but it will be anything but a walk through.
Canada vs Czech Republic Recap and Highlights
As far as Montreal Canadiens content is concerned, there will be three players to watch tonight. Carey Price should get the start for Canada in nets, with Shea Weber leading his defensive corps.
On the other side of the puck, Tomas Plekanec will captain the Czech Republic squad in their attempt to take down the reigning Olympic champions.
Puck drop is at 8:00 PM EDT at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario
How to watch
In Canada (French): TVA Sports
In Canada (English): Sportsnet
In the United States: ESPNEWS
Stream: Watch ESPN
These lineups are subject to change, and we will update if there is any news.
| Left Wing |
Center |
Right Wing |
| Jakub Voracek | Tomas Plekanec | Milan Michalek |
| David Pastrnak | Martin Hanzal | Ondrej Palat |
| Ales Hemsky | Radek Faksa | Michael Frolik |
| Dmitrij Jaskin | Roman Cervenka | Michal Birner |
| Left Defense |
Right Defense |
| Andrej Sustr | Jakub Nakladal |
| Roman Polak | Michal Kempny |
| Michal Jordan | Zbynek Michalek |
| Goaltenders |
| Michael Neuvirth |
| Petr Mrazek |
| Left Wing |
Center |
Right Wing |
| Brad Marchand | Sidney Crosby | Patrice Bergeron |
| John Tavares | Ryan Getzlaf | Steven Stamkos |
| Logan Couture | Jonathan Toews | Corey Perry |
| Joe Thornton | Ryan O'Reilly | Matt Duchene |
| Left Defense |
Right Defense |
| Marc-Edouard Vlasic | Shea Weber |
| Jay Bouwmeester | Drew Doughty |
| Alex Pietrangelo | Brent Burns |
| Goaltenders |
| Carey Price |
| Corey Crawford |
Scratched: Jake Muzzin, Braden Holtby, Claude Giroux