Team USA's Matthew Tkachuk explains how he’ll adjust his game to face Sidney Crosby in Gold medal game
|
Jonathan Ouimet
Feb 21, 2026 (0:22)
|
|
Photo credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
Matthew Tkachuk got asked about Sidney Crosby mind games before USA vs Canada for Olympic gold, and his answer basically dared everyone to stop overthinking it.
Matthew Tkachuk got the “psychological warfare” question about Sidney Crosby before USA vs Canada for Olympic gold, and his answer was pure respect with a little edge left in it.
The Hockey News basically asked if Tkachuk can get under Crosby’s skin if 87 plays Sunday.
That’s the funny part. Tkachuk is built for chaos, but Crosby is built for chaos with a pulse.
Tkachuk didn’t posture. He tipped his cap, then raised the stakes.
“Sidney Crosby. He’s got three championships. I don’t think you’re getting in his head. I mean, he’s won everything, at every single level.”
Then he went even deeper into it.
“We want his stature. We want everything that he’s accomplished. I guess this team of 25 guys has a chance to accomplish something he has. There is no psychological warfare with him.”
Then he went even deeper into it.
“We want his stature. We want everything that he’s accomplished. I guess this team of 25 guys has a chance to accomplish something he has. There is no psychological warfare with him.”
That’s not surrender. That’s Team USA admitting the only way through is to beat Canada honestly.
It also lands differently because Crosby’s status is still a live storyline.
Jon Cooper said Canada has 48 hours to decide, and that Crosby has a better chance to play Sunday than he did in the semifinal.
Sunday, February 22 is already circled in red. Canada and the United States meet for gold in Milano Cortina.
Matthew Tkachuk respects Sidney Crosby, but still wants him
If you’re a Red Wings fan, a Bruins fan, any fan, you know this feeling, you want the final to be full strength so the win actually means something.
Tkachuk basically said the same thing without begging for it.
He’s telling you Crosby is the standard, and beating him is the point.
So what does “no psychological warfare” really mean on the ice.
It means you don’t waste shifts chirping a guy who’s seen every trick.
You make him turn. You make him defend. You make him earn exits.
You win draws, win walls, and keep your discipline when Canada tries to flip momentum fast.
If Crosby plays, the respect is real, but so is the target on his line.
If he doesn’t, the quote still matters, because it shows how much Team USA understands what Crosby represents.
Either way, Sunday isn’t a mind game. It’s a survival game.
Also read on Sunrise Hockey Insider :
Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand make a surprising confession after the semifinal win against Finland
Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand make a surprising confession after the semifinal win against Finland
Previously on Sunrise Hockey Insider