The men’s ice hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has reached the do-or-die stage. On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the undisputed tournament heavyweights, Team Canada, will square off against a resilient Team Czechia in a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup.
With a semi-final berth on the line, hockey fans across the globe are gearing up for what promises to be a spectacular display of NHL talent. Here is everything you need to know about when and how to tune in, along with a look at both teams’ histories and my personal game prediction!
TV Channels, Streaming Options, and Regional Blackouts Explained
Puck drop for this massive quarterfinal clash is scheduled for 10:40 a.m. ET (16:40 CET). Whether you are watching from North America or Europe, there are plenty of ways to catch the action live.
Where to watch on TV:
- In Canada: The game will be broadcast live across multiple networks, including CBC, TSN, Sportsnet (SN), RDS, and ICI Télé.
- In the USA: American hockey fans can watch the game live on the USA Network.
- In Czechia: Viewers can catch the localized broadcast on traditional Olympic rights holders like ČT Sport and Eurosport.
Streaming Options & Regional Blackouts: Cord-cutters have excellent streaming alternatives. In Canada, CBC Gem will provide comprehensive live coverage, while fans in the USA can stream the entirety of the game via Peacock. However, it is crucial to understand regional blackouts. Broadcasting rights for the Olympics are strictly territorially restricted. This means if you are an American traveling abroad, you won’t be able to access Peacock, and similarly, CBC Gem is geo-blocked outside of Canada. If you find yourself traveling across borders during the game, you will need to utilize a reliable VPN to route your internet connection back to your home country to bypass these frustrating regional blackouts.
Team Records, Key Injuries, and My Game Prediction
When we look at the historical context, Team Canada remains the gold standard. Across all Olympic appearances, Canada’s men’s ice hockey team boasts an astonishing 16 medals—including a record 9 Gold medals. Since 1993 as an independent nation, Team Czechia has carved out its own incredible legacy, securing 2 medals (including the unforgettable 1998 Gold in Nagano) and holding an 21-19-6 Olympic win-loss-tie record over nine tournament appearances.
The history books are also being rewritten right now in Milan. Captain Sidney Crosby recently surpassed Jarome Iginla to become Team Canada’s all-time leading Olympic scorer among NHL players, currently sitting at 16 points. Meanwhile, Czechia’s all-time Olympic points leader remains the legendary Jaromír Jágr, who racked up 23 points over his legendary five-tournament Olympic career.
Ahead of Wednesday’s clash, both teams are nursing critical injuries. Team Canada is sweating over the defensive depth chart after top-tier defenceman Josh Morrissey left a previous game with an undisclosed injury, leaving his status uncertain. On the other side, Team Czechia suffered a massive blow when top defensive forward Radek Faksa suffered a lower-body injury against Switzerland and was officially ruled out of this quarterfinal.
As for my game score prediction? I just don’t see how Team Czechia can slow down this Canadian juggernaut. Canada already dismantled Czechia 5-0 in their opening game of the tournament on February 12. With Connor McDavid playing out of his mind (already registering an Olympic-record 9 points in his first three games) and Czechia missing a crucial shutdown center in Faksa, I believe Canada’s overwhelming offensive depth will dictate the pace from the opening puck drop. My personal insight tells me Czechia will put up a better defensive fight this time around, but Canada will comfortably take this one.
I predict a 4-1 victory for Team Canada.
Before the NHL resumes after the Olympic break, make sure to catch up on finding the NHL point leaders for the 2025-26 season right here on my website. Also, don’t forget to join our online playoff hockey pool for your chance to win cash prizes!
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