Islanders teammates clash as Horvat's Canada faces Palát's Czechia. Olympic bragging rights are on the line in this thrilling showdown.
Kai Russell wrote this story.
In Team Canada’s Olympic matchup against Czechia on Thursday, New York Islanders teammates Bo Horvat and Ondřej Palát will compete against one another.
Horvat, the Islanders’ team leader in goals with 24, will likely center Canada’s fourth line alongside Brad Marchand and Nick Suzuki. In practice, Horvat also received second power-play duties, as well as time on the penalty-kill under head coach Jon Cooper.
The 2026 Winter Games will be Horvat’s first time representing Canada at the Olympics. The forward has represented Canada at other international events, including the IIHF World Championships in 2018 and 2025, the World Juniors in 2014, and the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2012.
Palát, whom New York acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils on January 27th, has scored three points in six games with the Islanders. The winger is projected to play on Czechia’s second line with David Kämpf and Ondřej Kaše.
Palát has an Olympic pedigree, having played four games at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and helped Czechia win gold at the 2024 IIHF World Championships.
Team Canada will enter the game as favorites, owing to superior depth and top-end talent — playing Horvat on the fourth line is a luxury.
Nevertheless, Palát and Czechia will look to play spoiler when the puck drops at 10:40 a.m. EST. The game will be available to watch in the U.S. on NBC Olympics and Peacock.