Team Canada wraps up Group A play Sunday with a matchup against the French national ice hockey team at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Canada enters the contest riding momentum after back-to-back wins, a 5-0 shutout over Czechia and a 5-1 victory against Switzerland, already clinching a quarterfinal berth. With first place in the group secured, the focus now shifts to maintaining rhythm and avoiding injuries heading into the knockout stage.
Canada in Control
Captain Connor McDavid has led the way offensively, posting an Olympic-best six points through two games. Close behind is Nathan MacKinnon with four points. Rising star Macklin Celebrini has also chipped in with three points (two goals, one assist).
France, meanwhile, has struggled out of the gate. They sit 0-2 in group play after being shut out 4-0 by Switzerland in their opener. In their second game, France briefly grabbed a 3-2 lead thanks to two goals from Louis Boudon and one from Hugo Gallet. But they ultimately surrendered four unanswered goals in a 6-3 loss.
Canada Vs. France Prediction
Given Canada’s dominant start and France’s defensive issues, the odds heavily favor the Canadians.
- France +7 goals: -135
- Game total: 7.5 goals
A 6.5-goal spread may seem over the top, but with recent Olympic games turning into blowouts, like Finland’s 11-goal explosion against Italy, big margins aren’t out of the question.
Prediction: Canada 7, France 0
Canada vs. France Projected Lineups
Team Canada
Forwards
- Macklin Celebrini – Connor McDavid – Tom Wilson
- Brandon Hagel – Nathan MacKinnon – Nick Suzuki
- Mitch Marner – Sidney Crosby – Mark Stone
- Seth Jarvis – Bo Horvat – Sam Reinhart
Defense
- Devon Toews – Cale Makar
- Shea Theodore – Colton Parayko
- Thomas Harley – Drew Doughty
- Travis Sanheim – Sam Bennett
Goalie
- Jordan Binnington
Team France
Forwards
- Stephane Da Costa – Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – Dylan Fabre
- Alexandre Texier – Louis Boudon – Aurélien Dair
- Anthony Rech – Nicolas Ritz – Charles Bertrand
- Floran Douay – Justin Addamo – Sacha Treille
Defense
- Yohann Auvitu – Enzo Guebey
- Jules Boscq – Hugo Gallet
- Florian Chakiachvili – Enzo Cantagallo
- Pierre Crinon – Kevin Bozon
Goalie
- Julian Junca
Where to Watch Canada vs. France
Date: February 15
Time: 10:40 a.m. ET
Canada: CBC, Sportsnet, TSN
United States: CNBC, Peacock, USA Network
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With Canada already locked into the quarterfinals, Sunday’s matchup serves as a final tune-up. But with offensive stars rolling and confidence building, don’t expect them to take their foot off the gas with final seeding up for grabs.
