Jordan Binnington gets the start for Canada’s Olympic opener Thursday against Czechia.
Logan Thompson will serve as backup, with Darcy Kuemper as the third goalie. Seth Jarvis and Travis Sanheim were scratched from the lineup.
First look.
Look pour le premier match. #MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/wq8HzLgnsJ
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 12, 2026
The decision to start Binnington comes despite his struggles with the St. Louis Blues this season. The 31-year-old netminder ranks 57th out of 59 qualified goalies in save percentage at .864.
But Binnington has recent success with Team Canada.
He started every game during Canada’s victory at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025. Binnington stopped 31 of 33 shots in the final against the United States.
Head coach Jon Cooper isn’t concerned about Canada’s goaltending situation.
“To me, it’s not a story. I don’t know where it comes from.”
The numbers tell a different story about Canada’s three goalies this season.
Thompson has been one of the NHL’s best goalies, ranking second among all 86 NHL netminders with 38.8 goals saved above expected, according to Evolving-Hockey. Kuemper sits 26th with 12.92 goals saved above expected.
Binnington ranks last among qualified goalies at minus-20.61.
Canada faces Switzerland on Friday in their second group game. Thompson or Kuemper are expected to get the start regardless of how Binnington performs Thursday.
