It is a massive day for hockey fans! Today, February 12, 2026, marks the long-awaited return of **NHL players to the Olympic stage** at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
The matchup between **Canada** and **Czechia** is arguably the highlight of the Group A openers, especially with the legendary **Sidney Crosby** returning as captain and **Connor McDavid** finally making his Olympic debut.
### Game Details: Canada vs. Czechia
* **Time:** 10:40 AM ET / 7:40 AM PT
* **Venue:** Santagiulia Arena, Milan
* **Stakes:** This is the first "best-on-best" tournament since 2014. Canada is looking to reclaim gold, while Czechia enters with momentum as the 2024 World Champions.
### The Rosters at a Glance
| Team | Key Players |
| --- | --- |
| **Canada** | Sidney Crosby (C), Connor McDavid (A), Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar |
| **Czechia** | Roman Cervenka (C), David Pastrnak (A), Martin Necas, Tomas Hertl |
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### Other Men's Action Today
The preliminary round is in full swing with several other key matchups:
* **Switzerland vs. France:** (Early Morning)
* **USA vs. Latvia:** 3:10 PM ET
* **Denmark vs. Germany:** 3:10 PM ET
It’s definitely going to be a fast-paced tournament, as the preliminary round is short and every win is crucial for seeding in the knockout stages.
Would you like me to look up the live score for the Canada game or provide the full schedule for the rest of the week?