Sidney Crosby has not played for Team Canada in the Olympics since they defeated Team Czechia in the quarterfinals after Crosby took a hit to his knee from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. Crosby did not suit up for Team Canada's semifinal win over Team Finland but head coach Jon Cooper provided a positive update on the Penguins captain ahead of Sunday's Gold Medal Game against Team Canada.
Jon Cooper on Sidney Crosby’s availability for Sunday:
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 20, 2026
We have 48 hours to determine…he has a better chance of playing that then he did of playing today.
It has been said by a lot of NHL media that Crosby has avoided the worst-case scenario with his injury and that he will not miss a lot of time after Canada's recent semifinal game. And it is very unlikely that Crosby lets himself miss the Gold Medal Game for all the marbles.
Crosby is a warrior and is going to do everything that he can to play in Sunday's final game of the Olympic tournament. And he is not going to just sit out the Gold Medal Game especially if he can find a way to play.
All fans and media are speculating that it is an MCL sprain for the Penguins captain. He would not be able to skate and test things out if it was a tear of any parts of his knee. And knowing Crosby and the kind of player that he is, he is going to do everything in his power to play.
And knowing that the head coach of Team Canada gave a positive update on the captain's status and said that he has a better chance of playing tomorrow than he did in the semis. says a lot. And if Crosby plays in the Gold Medal Game, he is going to help Canada's chances of defeating the USA.
Everyone has been anticipating that the Gold Medal Game is going to be between Team USA and Team Canada and that is what the world is getting. And it will only get better if the Penguins captain is able to suit up and play.