Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby not ruled out for Canada's Olympic semifinal, according to head coach Jon Cooper

Team Canada was able to win yesterday’s quarterfinal game narrowly thanks to an overtime goal by Mitch Marner. But Canada and Pittsburgh didn’t have a lot to celebrate. A bad hit from the Czechs caused Penguins captain Sidney Crosby to visibly leave the game in pain.

But while fans remained worried for his health, he remains a possibility for Canada's Olympic semifinal against Finland despite leaving Wednesday's quarterfinal with a lower-body injury. As per head coach Jon Cooper, he still remains a fixture for Friday’s game.

Jon Cooper remains positive about Sidney Crosby’s return in the semifinals

Cooper confirmed Thursday that Crosby has by no means been ruled out for Friday's medal-round matchup at Milano Cortina 2026. Crosby exited Canada's 4-3 overtime victory over Czechia midway through the second period after landing awkwardly on his right leg.

The 38-year-old attempted to avoid a hit from Czech defenseman Radko Gudas by ducking low. He briefly returned for another shift before leaving the ice again and did not return to action. The injury occurred during a crucial moment in Canada's quarterfinal at Santagiulia Arena.

Crosby's absence for the final period and overtime left Canada without its captain as Mitch Marner scored the game-winning goal 82 seconds into the extra frame. Cooper provided measured optimism when addressing Crosby's status on Thursday.

The Tampa Bay Lightning bench boss emphasized player safety while keeping the door open for his captain's return against the defending Olympic champions. "We're not going to put anyone in harm's way," Cooper told reporters. "But if he can play, he's definitely going to. We'll know more again in 24 hours."

The head coach's comments suggest Crosby's availability remains uncertain heading into Friday's semifinal. Canada will make a game-time decision on whether the three-time Stanley Cup champion can contribute against Finland's formidable roster.

Crosby's potential absence creates significant challenges for Canada's gold medal aspirations. The Penguins veteran has 15 career Olympic points and captured gold medals in 2010 and 2014. His leadership and two-way play remain integral to Canada's success at Milano Cortina 2026.

Pittsburgh also breathes easier knowing Crosby avoided a serious injury that could derail their playoff push. The Penguins captain leads his team with 59 points through 56 games this season. He remains on pace to extend his NHL record for consecutive seasons averaging at least one point per game.

Pittsburgh sits second in the Metropolitan Division with 26 games remaining after the Olympic break. The Penguins won seven of their final 10 contests before NHL players departed for Italy. They return to action on February 26, hosting the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena as they pursue their first playoff berth since 2023.


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