Despite reports that Crosby, 38, had not been ruled out for the game against Finland, Hockey Canada has announced that he will not suit up for the semifinal match.
Why isn’t Sidney Crosby playing for Canada against Finland in the Winter Olympics 2026 men’s hockey semifinal?
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain was injured on Wednesday in Canada’s overtime quarterfinal win against Czechia after an awkward movement while trying to avoid a check by Radko Gudas. Crosby hobbled off the ice and back to the locker room, but initially wasn’t ruled out for today’s semifinal game against Finland, according to Team Canada’s coach Jon Cooper.
GAME DAY! Facing the Finns in a semifinal showdown. 🇨🇦🇫🇮
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 20, 2026
JOUR DE MATCH! Face à la Finlande en demi-finale. 🇨🇦🇫🇮
⏰ 10:40 a.m. ET / 10 h 40 HE
📺 @TSN_Sports / @RDSca
📰 https://t.co/4DwRfRHQsJ
📰 https://t.co/kzcEkCEr81
#MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/nEUbG4MVc0
We are still waiting for confirmation on the lines for today’s game. What we do know is that Connor McDavid will wear the ‘C’ for Team Canada and if the line shuffling on Wednesday is any indicator, Macklin Celebrini will play in the first line with Connor McDavid and Tom Wilson, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Sidney Crosby will not play in the semifinals. Connor McDavid will wear the ‘C’ today, with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon serving as alternates.
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 20, 2026
Sidney Crosby ne jouera pas en demi-finale. Connor McDavid portera le « C » aujourd’hui, Cale Makar et Nathan MacKinnon, le « A ». pic.twitter.com/Vk9J07BQzg
We don’t have a lot of information about Crosby’s injury, but we do know that he’ll be missed. His leadership, experience, faceoff skills and defensive awareness all wrapped up into one of hockey’s best players will be impossible to replace.
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