{"id":467159,"date":"2026-02-22T19:21:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T19:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/467159\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T19:21:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T19:21:11","slug":"penguins-sidney-crosby-decision-not-play-gold-medal-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/467159\/","title":{"rendered":"Penguins’ Sidney Crosby Decision Not Play Gold Medal Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pittsburgh Penguins and Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby didn\u2019t play in the team\u2019s 2-1 overtime loss to Team USA in the gold medal game of the 2026 Olympics on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Crosby got injured in the quarterfinals and missed the semifinal game due to an injury as well. Yet, there was some hope he would play in the gold medal game. However, Crosby said he made the decision as he felt like the other players would be better than he was battling through an injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was pretty close,\u201d Crosby said<\/a> after the game to CBC. \u201cUltimately, I wasn\u2019t able to go out there and do what I needed to do in order to help the team. At that point you have to make a decision that\u2019s best for the group. It\u2019s not an easy one, but that\u2019s hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crosby ended up watching Team Canada lose a heartbreaker in overtime.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s tough. I definitely feel that. It\u2019s a lot easier playing than watching. I think everyone should be proud the way the team performed. I thought that obviously we did everything but score. In every facet we were so good today, I thought we deserved better and unfortunately we didn\u2019t come away with the win.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Now, the focus for Crosby is his health status for the Penguins as they are in the midst of a playoff push and Pittsburgh will need their captain to be healthy.<\/p>\n

The Penguins will return to the ice on Feb. 26 at home against the New Jersey Devils.<\/p>\n

More Penguins: Canada, Penguins Receive Sidney Crosby Injury Update Before Olympics Gold Medal Game Vs. United States<\/a><\/p>\n

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