The net result: gold for the Czechs.(NHL PREVIEW)

Start learning the Czech national anthem. When the Olympic tournament in Torino is over, the Czech Republic players will be standing on the top platform.

Hockey predictions usually are made from the goal out. Before the start of the NHL season, Canada had a huge advantage at the position. Some say it still does--Canada general manager Wayne Gretzky is leaving home goalies who would be No. 1 netminders for other nations. It was assumed the depth Gretzky is bringing to Torino, which includes Marty Turco and Roberto Luongo, would ensure Canada's chances of winning a gold medal even if starter Martin Brodeur of the Devils suffered a catastrophic injury.

Then the season began.

Brodeur hasn't been himself after suffering a knee injury, though he did get on a roll last month. He will be highly motivated and will have a team of All-Stars in front of him, but the rest of the world now knows he's vulnerable. The Stars' Turco and the Panthers' Luongo have been up and down as well.

So, who is dominant in goal? The answer, shockingly, is the Senators' Dominik Hasek. Smart money would have had the 41-year-old Hasek nursing a serious groin injury by now, but he's perfectly healthy. He also hasn't shown any signs of struggling. And yet, he's not a sure thing to be the Czechs' No. 1 guy. Predators goalie Tomas Vokoun, who defeated Canada for the gold medal in the world championships during the lockout last spring, might be the starter.

Beyond the goalies, there are plenty of other reasons the Czechs--not the Canadians--are the real favorites. Jaromir Jagr is motivated. He led his country to the world title, and he is leading the Rangers toward their first playoff berth in nearly a decade. He will be joined by talented forwards Milan Hejduk (Avalanche), Robert Lang (Red Wings), Martin Straka (Rangers), Vaclav Prospal (Lightning) and Martin Rucinsky (Rangers). The defense will be led by Marek Malik (Rangers), Filip Kuba (Wild) and Marek Zidlicky (Predators), among others.

The Canadians have taken some hits heading into the Olympic break. Their defense has been weakened by injuries. The Canucks' Ed Jovanovski (abdominal surgery) is out. More important, Scott Niedermayer must decide between undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee so he can finish the season with the Mighty Ducks or going to the Olympics and possibly needing season-ending surgery after he returns.