Martin Necas makes Czech history, sets up elimination showdown against Avs teammates

Martin Necas powered the Czech on Tuesday, setting up a Wednesday showdown against three of his Colorado Avalanche teammates

BY JAKE SHAPIRO

Feb 17, 2026, 11:21 AM

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Martin Necas powered the Czech on Tuesday to a 3-2 win over Denmark in the playoff round of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, setting up a Wednesday showdown against three of his Colorado Avalanche teammates and the greatest hockey team in the world.

The Avalanche forward continued his scorching run through the Milan Cortina Games, firing a power-play goal past the Danish goalie in the second period to give Czechia a 1-0 lead they would never relinquish. Necas added an assist, giving him a two-point night and extending his multi-point streak to three games. His production is putting him in elite Olympic company historically.

Martin Necas unleashes for the go-ahead goal as Czechia strike first against Denmark. 🚀#WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/hjaXnU5ruV

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2026

Necas (3-3—6 in 4 GP) tied Vinny Prospal (4-2—6 in 2006) for the third-most points by a Czech player in a single Olympics with NHL participation. He now trails only Martin Straka (2-6—8 in 2006) and Jaromir Jagr (2-5—7 in 2006) on that list.

The 26-year-old became just the fourth player in Olympic hockey history (featuring NHL players) to post a multi-point streak of at least three games, joining Teemu Selanne (1998 and 2006 with Finland), Connor McDavid (2026 with Canada) and Jere Lehtinen (2006 with Finland). He’s also the first Czech player to score in three consecutive games at an Olympics with NHL participation.

Only Marek Zidlicky (4 in 2006) and Prospal (4 in 2006) have scored more goals for Czechia in a single Olympic tournament than Necas’ three.

Denmark gave the Czechs all they could handle, outshooting them 12-5 in the third period while chasing the equalizer, but Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal stood tall between the pipes to preserve the victory.

Now comes the real test.

Necas and Czechia will face Canada — featuring Avalanche teammates Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Devon Toews — at 8:30 a.m. MT Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

The two teams met in the preliminary round, with Canada rolling to a 5-0 victory. But the Czechs have Olympic history on their side. The then-Czech Republic stunned Canada in the 1998 Nagano Games en route to gold, and Necas — playing the best hockey of his international career — will be looking to replicate that magic against his own NHL teammates.