Team Canada has been a force to reckon with at the Winter Olympics, maintaining an unbeaten streak in best-on-best hockey for two decades. They narrowly extended that streak with an electrifying overtime win against Team Czechia in Milan on Wednesday.
The game was a nail-biter, with Canada trailing late in the third period after a contentious goal put Czechia ahead 3-2. Enter Nick Suzuki, who leveled the score with a brilliant solo effort. Then, Mitch Marner sealed the deal in overtime, delivering a moment for the ages and propelling Canada into the semifinals against Finland on Friday.
A major talking point heading into that matchup is the condition of Sidney Crosby. The Canadian captain sustained a lower-body injury during the 4-3 victory.
Although he hasn't been ruled out, the situation is concerning. Head coach Jon Cooper labeled Crosby as day-to-day, leaving fans on edge.
Connor McDavid, who has been Canada's standout player throughout the Olympics, is poised to step up as captain if Crosby can't play. McDavid spoke about Crosby's influence on the team, highlighting the unique leadership qualities of No. 87.
“I think Sid is just himself, and it doesn’t need to be anything more or less. Everybody’s different in their own way. Sid’s an unbelievable leader, and everybody here watches him and is trying to learn off him,” McDavid noted.
He continued, emphasizing the depth of leadership within the team: “We’ve got lots of guys that lead. That’s the beauty of this team.
Everybody in that room is a leader. He’s Sidney Crosby.
He’s gonna have a big influence, no matter what. In the lineup or not, he’s gonna have a big influence.
That’s what he does.”
If Crosby is sidelined, international rules require someone else to wear the ‘C’. With 11 points in four games, McDavid is the natural choice. He’s been leading by example, hitting the ice first for practice and showing exceptional leadership throughout the tournament.
Coach Cooper praised McDavid’s evolving leadership: “I’ve watched it grow. You get to that 4 Nations tournament, and everybody was looking to Sid.
Guys like (Drew) Doughty and (Brad) Marchand were the vocal leaders. But now, especially Connor, has stepped up.
In this tournament, he’s been fabulous.”
McDavid, alongside rising star Macklin Celebrini and fellow superstar Nathan MacKinnon, has been a dominant force. Keeping this trio together seems like a no-brainer as they continue their Olympic journey.
Canadians nationwide are eagerly awaiting updates on Crosby ahead of the crucial clash against Finland. But if Crosby can’t lace up, the team remains in capable hands, led by the world’s best player, Connor McDavid.