Crosby could return for Team Canada in Olympic gold medal game

MILAN -- Sidney Crosby could return for Team Canada in the gold medal game of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Crosby, Canada’s captain, didn’t play in the semifinals Friday, a 3-2 win against Team Finland, because of a lower-body injury, but coach Jon Cooper did not rule him out of playing in the final at Santagiulia Arena on Sunday (8:10 a.m. ET; Peacock, NBC, ICI Tele, CBC Gem, CBC, SN [JIP], TSN [JIP], RDS2).

“We have 48 hours to decide that,” Cooper said, “but I will tell you he’s got a better chance of playing in the gold medal game than he had playing in tonight’s game.”

Crosby was injured in the second period of Canada's 4-3 overtime win against Team Czechia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. He left that game and did not return.

Crosby didn’t practice Wednesday but reportedly skated in a closed-ice session Friday before he was ruled out for the game.

Connor McDavid wore the ‘C’ as Canada’s captain against Finland because International Ice Hockey Federation rules stipulate a team must have a designated captain in every game.

“Just keeping the seat warm for Sid,” McDavid said. “Hopefully we can see him back here on Sunday. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him to miss tonight and I’m sure it was a long game to watch. I know that for a fact. But it means a lot to represent our country here as a team in the sport we love. It’s what it’s all about.”

McDavid said Crosby was around the team during the game, similar to Wednesday, when he addressed his teammates in between the second and third periods.

“He’s obviously got a great hockey mind and he’s watching the game closely and trying to dissect what they’re doing and giving it little pointers here and there of what we can look for,” McDavid said. “He was definitely there and having those conversations.”

Nick Suzuki replaced Crosby as the center of Canada's third line, playing with left wing Mitch Marner and right wing Mark Stone.

Macklin Celebrini took Crosby’s spot on Canada's first power-play unit with McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart and Cale Makar.

Celebrini had an assist on MacKinnon’s game-winning power-play goal at 19:24 of the third period.

“He’s our leader, captain and someone we all look up to in the room,” Celebrini said.

Crosby has six points (two goals, four assists) in four games at the Olympics. He is going for his third Olympic gold medal after winning with Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

He appeared to sustain his injury on a hit from Czechia defenseman Radko Gudas at the red line between the benches at 4:55 of the second period. His legs appeared to split when Gudas toppled over him.

Crosby was favoring his right leg as he got up a bit hobbled but stayed on the ice.

Thirteen seconds later, Crosby was hit by forward Martin Necas and Gudas along the boards near Canada's bench. He stayed upright and took two strides toward the middle of Canada's offensive zone before pulling up and circling to go to the bench.

He stayed on the bench for about a minute while getting looked at by Team Canada medical staff, before leaving to go to the dressing room with 13:55 remaining in the period and Czechia leading 2-1.

“Like ‘Coop’ said, there’s a better chance he plays in the gold than tonight so it’s a cherry on top to get him the win,” MacKinnon said. “But at the end of the day, we’re playing for our country, the logo, and that’s all the motivation I need to try to play my best.”