Olympic Men's Hockey Preview: games, players, matchups to watch | Montréal Canadiens expectations

Locked On Canadiens kick off Olympic hockey fever with a men's tournament preview, spotlighting stars like Nick Suzuki (Team Canada), Juraj Slavkovsky (Slovakia), and Oliver Kapanen (Finland). Hosts Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert question Team USA's controversial roster decisions—can their defensive, grind-it-out style really win gold, or will offensive firepower from Canada, Finland, and Sweden dominate the Olympics?

Key discussions include Group B’s fierce competition, sleeper picks like Slovakia and Switzerland, and pivotal matchups featuring Canadiens prospects. The episode examines Canada’s goaltending dilemma (Darcy Kuemper vs. Jordan Binnington), Suzuki’s projected shutdown center role, and potential medal-round surprises. Plus, trivia and community shoutouts keep listeners engaged as the world’s top hockey nations prepare for battle. Who will emerge as the ultimate Olympic dark horse?

00:00 Locked On Canadiens: Olympic Preview
04:25 Tournament Playoff Structure Explained
07:34 Defensive Strategy in IIHF Play
13:12 Canada's Olympic Goaltending Debate
15:05 Canada's Tough Opener vs. Czechia
21:56 Nick Suzuki's Team Canada Role
24:37 Slovakia's Battle for Group Spot
28:18 Fan Predictions and Insights

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