Binnington named starter for Canada in Olympic opener

MILAN -- Jordan Binnington will be the starting goalie for Team Canada when it opens the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 against Team Czechia on Thursday (10:40 a.m. ET; Peacock, USA, ICI Tele, CBC Gem, RDS2, CBC).

The St. Louis Blues goalie was the No. 1 goalie for Canada when it won the 4 Nations Face-Off last February.

Coach Jon Cooper did not reveal his starter after Canada practice on Wednesday, but Binnington said he was ready to go if he indeed got the starter's spot.

"I'm taking it all in one day at a time," Binnington said. "The games begin tomorrow. For us, it's been a lot of fun just competing in practice and being around this team and these guys and getting to go to an event yesterday was cool to do before we get started."

When asked how he would approach being the starter for Canada in its first Olympics game with NHL players since 2014, Binnington said, "I just stick with my process and leave it all out on the ice."

Though Canada is one of the favorites to win the tournament, there have been questions about its goaltending. One reason is Binnington's struggles this year with the Blues. The 32-year-old is 8-17-6 with a 3.65 goals-against average and .864 save percentage in 32 games.

Binnington said he does not listen to outside chatter.

"Yeah, it's kind of the same answer," he said. "You know, I just stay in my own world and just put the trust in my process, have faith and belief and in myself, and just leave it all on the ice, do my best."

The other options for Canada in goal are Logan Thompson, who is 19-16-4 with a 2.45 GAA and .912 save percentage in 39 games for the Washington Capitals, and Darcy Kuemper, who is 14-11-9 with a 2.59 GAA and .900 save percentage in 36 games for the Los Angeles Kings.

As for the rest of Canada's lineup, the first line is expected to have Connor McDavid centering Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson.

The second line will have Sidney Crosby as the center between Mitch Marner and Mark Stone, while Brandon Hagel and Sam Reinhart will be with Nathan MacKinnon at center.

Bo Horvat, Nick Suzuki and Brad Marchand are on the fourth line, with Sam Bennett rotating in.

Seth Jarvis and Travis Sanheim are scratched.

Canada has won gold in three of previous Olympics with NHL players, including the past two in Vancouver (2010) and Sochi (2014).