Brad Marchand and Team Canada learn more details on Sidney Crosby's Olympic injury
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Sam Walker
Feb 18, 2026 (3:39 PM)
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Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Brad Marchand watched the Sidney Crosby injury unfold, and Team Canada’s Olympic hopes suddenly feel shaky in Milan.
Canada escaped Wednesday with a 4-3 overtime win over Czechia, but Crosby did not return after a second-period lower-body issue. The bench looked rattled, even when the scoreboard flipped back their way.
You could see the moment it turned. Crosby took contact and then worked his right leg like he was trying to convince it to cooperate.
Marchand has been around enough big games to read a room. When your captain leaves, everyone’s job changes in a hurry.
The first details came fast and didn’t calm anyone down. Crosby was set to undergo imaging in Milan to determine the severity.
Coach Jon Cooper didn’t even try to bluff it afterward, admitting he simply didn’t know. That quote said plenty about how uncertain this is.
The Penguins captain and Team Canada leader will require futher imaging, which is quite the concern.
"Sidney Crosby will undergo imaging here in Milan to determine the severity of his lower body injury.
Coach Jon Cooper said after the game on Crosby's status: “I don't even have my poker face on either, because I honestly don't know.”
Coach Jon Cooper said after the game on Crosby's status: “I don't even have my poker face on either, because I honestly don't know.”
Crosby’s impact has been loud in this tournament. He had 2-4-6 through three games before Wednesday even got messy.
Marchand is built for moments like this, because he lives in the uncomfortable areas. If Crosby can’t go, Canada needs Marchand’s edge to show up shift after shift.
Sidney Crosby leaves Brad Marchand steering Team Canada
Without Crosby, the center rotation tightens and the puck touches get riskier. The man advantage also loses its calm quarterbacking down low.
Canada still has firepower, but the “easy” plays disappear when your captain is missing. Every breakout takes an extra second.
For Marchand, it becomes about details. Win a wall battle, draw a penalty, and make life miserable between the dots.
There’s also the Penguins angle hanging over this. Any missed time here turns into a bigger story the second NHL play resumes.
If imaging brings good news, Canada breathes and reloads for the next one. If it doesn’t, Marchand and the leadership group have to drag this run forward anyway.
Also read on Sunrise Hockey Insider :
Two Team Canada members officially out of the lineup for quarterfinal game
Two Team Canada members officially out of the lineup for quarterfinal game
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 18|38 ANSWERS Brad Marchand and Team Canada learn more details on Sidney Crosby's Olympic injury Should Team Canada sit Sidney Crosby if his lower-body injury lingers? | ||
| Yes | 34 | 89.5 % |
| No | 4 | 10.5 % |
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