sidney crosby not ruled out after Olympic injury; Canada says status being decided day by day
MILAN — Canada is treating Sidney Crosby’s availability for the Olympic semifinals as a 24-hour decision after the veteran left Wednesday’s quarterfinal win over Czechia with a lower-body injury. Head coach Jon Cooper said Crosby is “by no means ruled out, ” but medical testing and daily evaluations will determine whether the 38-year-old can play in Friday’s semifinal against Finland at 10: 40 a. m. ET.
Injury timeline and medical evaluation
Crosby exited the quarterfinal in the second period after a heavy sequence along the boards that involved Martin Necas and Radko Gudas. He returned briefly to the bench hunched over in visible pain before limping to the locker room. Team staffers performed follow-up assessments and Crosby underwent an MRI to evaluate the damage to his lower body; the injury appeared to involve his right leg.
He did not participate in Canada’s optional skate on Thursday as the medical team continued their work. Cooper emphasized that the team will not put any player in harm’s way but added that if Crosby is cleared, he will play. “We have the best of the best looking at him, ” Cooper said, and the plan is to reassess within 24 hours.
Lineup contingency, leadership and team reaction
Nick Suzuki, who moved into Crosby’s spot between Mitch Marner and Mark Stone during the quarterfinal, scored the tying goal with 3: 27 remaining in regulation, a play that underlined the team’s depth if Crosby is unavailable. Sam Bennett has been identified as the forward most likely to slot in should Crosby be unable to take the ice.
Olympic rules require a different player to assume the captaincy if Crosby cannot play; Cooper declined to name a replacement while Crosby remains officially in the mix. Defenseman Drew Doughty stressed the difficulty of replacing Crosby’s presence on the ice but said teammates will step up. Connor McDavid added that Crosby’s influence will be felt even if he’s off the ice: “He’s going to have a big influence, no matter what. In the lineup, not in the lineup, he’s going to have a big influence. ”
Stakes for Canada and what to watch before puck drop
Crosby has been one of Canada’s primary catalysts through the tournament, tied for third on the roster with six points (two goals, four assists) across four games. Beyond the immediate on-ice contributions, his leadership and past Olympic heroics add intangible weight to the semifinal scenario.
If Crosby is cleared to play, Canada would welcome the veteran back for a high-stakes matchup with Finland at 10: 40 a. m. ET on Friday. If he’s sidelined, expect a lineup reshuffle and a designated alternate captain for the game. Either outcome leaves Canada facing a quick turnaround: the team says it will continue making medically informed, day-by-day decisions that prioritize player safety while balancing the drive for gold.
For now, the immediate developments to monitor are the results of Crosby’s MRI and any updates from the medical staff in the next 24 hours, plus final lineup confirmation ahead of Canada’s semifinal puck drop.
