We were all eagerly awaiting an update this morning on the status of a superstar player. Ahead of their semifinal matchup at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby was anticipated to skate in the morning before their game against Finland, to see where his injury, presumably to his knee, felt ahead of the pivotal, medal-round game, and now we have an update. Crosby has been ruled out for today’s game. Therefore, it means Connor McDavid will wear the ‘C’ in Crosby’s absence. Nathan MacKinnon, one of Crosby’s good friends, will get the honour of being an alternate captain for today’s game. Let’s discuss the details.
Sidney Crosby is officially out of the Team Canada 🇨🇦 lineup for today's Olympic semifinal vs. Finland 🇫🇮 due to injury
Connor McDavid gets the "C"
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 20, 2026
2026 Olympic Semifinals, Canada and Finland Crosby Injury Update
Well the venue is set at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy. Puck drop is just under an hour away at around 10:40 a.m Eastern Standard Time. We now know what Canadian fans had been fearing the most. They will be without their captain.
Crosby took a couple of awkward hits in quick succession, against Czechia in the quarterfinals. Radko Gudas was the one involved in those hits. Afterward, Sid was seen walking very slowing to the dressing room.
He did try it out this morning, in a closed practice facility, but it appears he now can’t go. Canada will need to pull together now without their leader and still one of best offensive stars. Someone like Nick Suzuki, who came through with the late tying goal against Czechia, will need to step up. It is thought he will slide onto Crosby’s line with Mark Stone and Mitch Marner. That trio had been terrific for Canada, thus far. Also, for the top power play, Macklin Celebrini filled in well for Crosby last game. Look for him to step up again, in another elimination contest.
Although not confirmed, these are based on yesterday’s lines without Crosby in action.
Celebrini – McDavid – MacKinnon
Marner – Suzuki – Stone
Hagel – Horvat – Jarvis
Marchand – Bennett – Reinhart
Wilson
As if Canadian fans weren’t stressed enough, this will only add to their feelings. This injury means all the remaining forwards will dress.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Segar/Reuters via Imagn Images
As planned Crosby skated this morning in a closed ice session. Remains doubtful for tonight but certainly a good sign he was able to test things out.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 20, 2026
