St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington started the 2026 Olympics in outstanding form, recording a 26-save shutout in a 5-0 win over Czechia on Thursday. The 32-year-old became only the fourth Team Canada goaltender to post a shutout in an Olympic game featuring NHL players, joining Carey Price, Roberto Luongo, and Patrick Roy. Binnington has struggled with the Blues this season, going 8-17-6 in 30 starts with a 3.65 goals-against average and a .864 save percentage. However, he has a much stronger team in front of him at the Olympic tournament and has always performed well for his country. On Thursday, Binnington improved to 13-4 with Team Canada, recording his third career shutout on the international stage.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid tallied three assists as Canada routed Czechia 5-0 on Thursday. In his Olympic debut, McDavid tied Team Canada's record for most assists in a single game at an Olympic tournament involving NHL players. McDavid set up Macklin Celebrini for the opening goal in the first period and added assists on third-period goals by Nathan MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki. MacKinnon scored on the power play. Additionally, McDavid produced a game-high six shots on goal, twice as many as any of his teammates. The Oilers captain has been dominant in the NHL for years and looks set to crush it on the international stage as well.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (undisclosed) was limited to 7:10 of ice time in Team Canada's 5-0 win over Czechia on Thursday. Canada opened the Olympic tournament with a comfortable win but lost Morrissey to an undisclosed injury. He took only one shift in the second period. Morrissey has been ever-present for the Jets this season, recording 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) in 56 appearances. Travis Sanheim, who was a healthy scratch on Thursday, is likely to play in Friday's matchup with Switzerland if Morrissey isn't available. Meanwhile, Shea Theodore could see more ice time after starting Thursday's game as the seventh defenseman.

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros will start for Finland against Slovakia on Wednesday. He is expected to be the team's No. 1 throughout the Olympic tournament, ahead of Kevin Lankinen of the Vancouver Canucks and Joonas Korpisalo of the Boston Bruins. Saros has not been at his best in 2025-26. He has no shutouts in 44 starts, posting a 21-17-5 record, a 3.20 goals-against average, and a .892 save percentage. The 30-year-old has allowed at least three goals in nine consecutive starts. Still, Saros remains Finland's best option in net and has previously performed at a high level with the team. Across the Four Nations Face-Off and three World Championships, Saros has gone 7-4 with Team Finland, allowing 1.71 goals with a .941 save percentage. He has tallied three shutouts in 11 games.