Team Canada is a win away from claiming yet another Winter Olympics gold medal at Milano Cortina. They will have to face a hungry American squad led by the Tkachuk brothers and Jack Eichel but their Coach Jon Cooper’s squad is more than ready to take up the challenge. Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini have been wonderful at the front. However, the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks stars could have another person return in their lines come Sunday — Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby.
Oilers legend gets hopes up for Canadian superstar’s return
It was the right decision for Coach Cooper to not play Crosby during the semifinals. He could have possibly made the lower-body injury worse and fatigue might have settled in quicker because of the Olympics schedule’s nature. Team Canada now has about 48 hours after their semifinal win over Finland to decide whether or not the Penguins and Canadian veteran can play.
McDavid seems to already know that Crosby will be standing alongside him in the lines come Sunday, via Dan Rosen of NHL.com.
“Just keeping the seat warm for Sid. Hopefully we can see him back here on Sunday. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him to miss tonight and I’m sure it was a long game to watch. I know that for a fact. But it means a lot to represent our country here as a team in the sport we love. It’s what it’s all about,” the Oilers legend said.
Due to Crosby being ruled out, McDavid had to take over as the captain for Team Canada. He got the squad over the hump with a clutch 3-2 win. The Penguins veteran, on the other hand, managed to have a closed skate session before that game. Coach Cooper has still not allowed him to practice with the team but things could change in the lead-up to the USA clash.
McDavid was certain that they would need Crosby by their side against the Americans.
“He’s obviously got a great hockey mind and he’s watching the game closely and trying to dissect what they’re doing and giving it little pointers here and there of what we can look for. He was definitely there and having those conversations,” the current Canadian captain added.
Team USA is a physically demanding team to go up against. Their defense is arguably one of the toughest it has ever been in the Olympics. So, Crosby, Cooper, and Team Canada will have to think about the long-term health of the Penguins veteran too.
