2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics
Preliminary Round Game 3: Switzerland vs. France
How to watch
Start time: 6:10 AM EDT / 12:10 PM CET
In Canada: Sportsnet (English) ICI Télé (French)
Streaming: CBC Gem, Sportsnet+
It has been almost 80 years since Switzerland won a medal in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament, last claiming bronze in 1948. But the country did claim silver in the most recent World Championship, losing 1-0 in overtime to Team USA on May 25, 2025.
This tournament will be very different for the Swiss, a true best-on-best format with the NHL season paused. Another international medal will be a long shot, but they should be favoured in today’s game with almost half the roster being NHL players and France’s having just one forward, Alexandre Texier, who plays in the top league. We saw one upset on the first day of the tournament when Slovakia beat Finland, and France will put everything it has into this game, which might be its best chance to claim a victory in the group stage.
Preliminary Round Game 4: Czechia vs. Canada
How to watch
Start time: 10:40 AM EDT / 4:40 PM CET
In Canada: CBC (English) ICI Télé, RDS (French)
Streaming: CBC Gem, RDS
The other two teams in Group A play the second game of the day. About half of Czechia’s players are playing in the NHL this season, but Canada’s lineup is loaded with superstars.
The questions going into the tournament for Canada were all about the goaltending, and this could be the first time that becomes an issue. All of Czechia’s goalies are NHL starters, and these international tournaments are famous for a goaltender standing on his head to claim a shocking win in an uneven matchup.
Preliminary Round Game 5: Latvia vs. United States
How to watch
Start time: 3:10 PM EDT / 9:10 PM CET
In Canada: Sportsnet (English) RDS (French)
Streaming: CBC Gem, RDS, Sportsnet+
In each international men’s tournament it feels like Latvia brings a team with no household names on the roster and proceeds get a least one upset win. It’s not exactly a group of no-name players this time around with several finding their way onto NHL rosters in recent years, but that does apply on defence where only one blue-liner, Uvis Balinskis, plays in the North American professional league.
Nevertheless, you can expect everyone to play the relentless defensive game the nation is known for, making up in cohesive team play what it lacks in standout skill. For a Team USA that needs a bit of time to work on its chemistry, there could be a chance for the Latvians to pounce early, but the United States’ superior roster should allow it to overcome any early stumbles.
Preliminary Round Game 6: Germany vs. Denmark
How to watch
Start time: 3:10 PM EDT / 9:10 PM CET
In Canada: TSN (English) ICI Télé (French)
Streaming: CBC Gem, TSN
Germany will be eagerly looking forward to any chance to go on the power play in this tournament to get its best players on the ice with space to work with. Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, and Moritz Seider will lead what is sure to be a formidable special-teams group that will be hard for any opponent to stop.
It’s a tough group that Denmark finds itself in, and there may not be a better chance to get a win than this opening game. All points will be important for a team likely destined for the qualification round as you want the easiest opponent possible for that single-elimination contest on February 17.
