david pastrnak says the quiet part out loud about Team Canada in the Olympics
Boston Bruins winger david pastrnak didn’t mince words after Czechia advanced to the Olympic quarterfinals: Canada might be the best team ever. The blunt assessment underlines the uphill fight facing the Czechs when they meet Canada in a winner-advance showdown on Wednesday (ET).
Pastrnak: "This might be the best team ever"
Pastrnak’s frank line captured what many observers have been hinting at since Canada thumped Czechia 5-0 in opening-round play. Speaking after Czechia’s 3-2 qualifying-round win over Denmark that sent them into the knockout stage, Pastrnak emphasized the sheer offensive depth Canada brings to the ice.
“This might be the best team ever, ” Pastrnak said. “So maybe let’s put the respect aside a little bit and try to take their game to them. Offensively, their power is incredible. And you know, just have to be a little stronger on pucks, play more in the O-zone, and be more confident. ”
That plainspoken assessment was paired with a call to action: Czechia must match Canada’s physicality on pucks and spend more time in the offensive zone if they hope to create an upset. Pastrnak’s commentary acknowledged the talent gulf while offering a tactical prescription for narrowing it.
Czechia’s response: nothing to lose
Czechia’s locker room greeted the matchup with levity and resolve. Forward Martin Necas joked that the team “let them win the first one because we knew we wouldn’t win two in a row against Canada, ” but the humor masked a serious belief in their chances on a given day.
“We have nothing to lose. So we’re going to leave it all out there, ” Pastrnak added, reflecting the underdog mentality Czechia will need. “As a team, we haven’t played our best yet, so hopefully we will save it for tomorrow. ” That combination of respect and optimism sets the stage for a high-stakes, emotionally charged quarterfinal.
Adding to the narrative tension is the personal subplot: Pastrnak will square off against former Bruins teammate and captain Brad Marchand in the knockout meeting. Familiarity between top players can alter matchups and strategies, and both teams will be mindful of those individual battles when the puck drops on Wednesday (ET).
What’s at stake and why it matters
The winner of this quarterfinal advances to the semifinals on Friday (ET), one step closer to a gold-medal game slated for Sunday morning (ET). For Canada, a roster stacked with elite talent and multiple power-play threats means expectations are sky-high. For Czechia, the path to the podium requires perfect execution, resilient defense, and seizing the moments when Canada’s depth is tested.
Pastrnak’s candor does more than acknowledge Canada’s star-studded group; it also frames the narrative for the rest of the tournament. When a top opponent voices open admiration, it can sharpen a rival’s focus. Czechia’s response—mixing humor, grit and an anything-to-lose mindset—suggests they will not back down, even against a roster many view as overwhelming favorites.
On a broader level, matchups like this are what Olympic hockey is built for: veteran stars, national pride, and the potential for a single-elimination upset that reshapes the medal picture. Whether Pastrnak’s warning proves prophetic or inspirational for the opposition, Wednesday’s game will be a measuring stick for both teams’ championship aspirations.
