Team Canada confirms lines and starting goalie in today’s game vs. Czechia

Canada has already slightly adjusted their lines in practice before they played their first game, and now just hours away from puck drop, they’ve finally confirmed the full lineup.

According to an update from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman today, Darcy Kuemper, Travis Sanheim, and Seth Jarvis skated as the extras this morning.

Their lines are expected to remain the same as yesterday’s practice, with the following combinations:

It’s a controversial choice from Coach Cooper and Team Canada to choose Binnington as their starter - or even to be named from the team.

Binnington backstopped Canada as they won the 4 Nations Faceoff Tournament, but since then has fallen off massively. This season he ranks 48th in the NHL with a brutal .864 save percentage.

Instead of choosing their Game 1 starter on merit, Canada is choosing to go with “their guy” in Binnington.

At this year’s Olympics though, Canada has some better options in net than they did at the 4 Nations. Last year they had Adin Hill and Samuel Montembeault on the roster, who have now been replaced by Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson.

If the goalie decisions are made based on success over this season, Thompson should be getting the starts. The 28-year old Capitals goalie has an impressive .912 save percentage and ranks 3rd in the NHL in GSAx, per MoneyPuck. Darcy Kuemper is a better option than Binnington too.

However, Canada did indicate that they will be changing their goalie after Game 1, with Kuemper expected to get the next start. Still, that leaves Thompson on the sidelines.

But outside any of the controversial goaltending decisions, Canada still has a phenomenal roster capable of winning Gold - and fans across the country are ready to cheer their hearts out for our team in Milan.

Also read on Edmonton Hockey Daily :
Team Canada confirms line changes, goalie plan before first Olympic game tomorrow