FILE – Canada’s Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid skate together following 4 Nations Face-Off hockey practice in Brossard, Quebec on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. Canada will face Sweden on February 12. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP, File) Team Canada is about to get another Olympic gold medal, yet controversies are rife before the much hyped NHL game today against Team USA. The largest narrative is the one about the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby, and whether he will be back in time to play the final due to a lower-body injury.Crosby was on the sidelines in the semifinal, and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid assumed a leadership role, making a composed performance. Since the NHL news is still centered on the health of Crosby, McDavid has clarified that Team Canada is optimistic that their long-time leader will be recovered by the time the final battle comes.
Crosby out of men’s hockey semifinal, McDavid to captain Canada
Connor McDavid discusses Sidney Crosby’s Team Canada return
Olympic final in question, Connor McDavid was not shy to discuss the possibility of a Sidney Crosby resurgence. The Edmonton Oilers star added that he was holding a seat for Crosby and how the aged centre is so important to the team.Crosby, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been suffering from a lower-body ailment that compelled him to miss the semifinal. Recent reports of the NHL news roundup showed that the veteran forward has been skating alone and has not been practicing fully with Team Canada. His availability is also game-time.McDavid observed that despite his sidelining, Crosby has not been mentally inactive. The three-time Stanley Cup winner has been examining the systems of Team USA and providing players with information. That leadership character off the ice has increased morale within the Canadian locker room.Team USA, headed by Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, and Jack Eichel, is also physically challenging. Their system of defense and offensive forecheck will challenge the depth of Canada. Having Crosby back on the team would not only add strength to the top-six forward of Team Canada but would also be a priceless experience in the high-pressure scenario.With the build-up of the NHL match preview of the gold medal, everyone is still watching the state of health of Crosby. With his clearance, the Penguins captain would join McDavid in what is bound to be an exciting Olympic final between two hockey giants.