Canada prepares for Olympic quarterfinals with clean bill of health

The Canadian men's hockey team held its final practice before the start of the elimination round at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games on Tuesday morning.

Forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett were not present on the ice for the skating session. The two players were absent for treatment, but all indications are that they will be available for Wednesday's 10:40 a.m. game ET quarterfinal against Czechia.

"Zero concern," head coach Jon Cooper assured, via TSN, regarding MacKinnon's availability. "I expect all players to be at full strength, especially him."

MacKinnon received a forearm blow to the jaw from French defenseman Pierre Crinon during the third period of a 10-2 victory on Sunday. Canada had then finished the preliminary round with a perfect record.

In MacKinnon's absence during practice, Nick Suzuki found himself at center on a line with Sam Reinhart and Brendon Hagel.

The Canadiens captain did not appear at his best when he was used on the wing on a line centered by MacKinnon. With the Avalanche forward expected in the lineup for Wednesday's quarterfinal against Czechia, it remains to be seen where Suzuki will slot in for Jon Cooper.

Canada ready for Olympic quarterfinals after perfect preliminary round

Brad Marchand, who will return to play in the quarterfinals after being sidelined for the last two games, was practicing on a line completed by Seth Jarvis and Bo Horvat.

"It's an incredible opportunity to be here. Especially in this environment in Milan, it’s a beautiful place. A place you want to take in, a lot of different athletes you want to meet and speak to and hear their story," Marchand said, via The Athletic.

The line of Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson, as well as that of Sidney Crosby, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner remained unchanged.

With Marchand's return to the lineup, it will be interesting to see who Cooper leaves out for the quarterfinal against Czechia. It was Jarvis who was scratched for the first duel against Czechia during the preliminary round.