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Team Canada’s Sidney Crosby, who was a game-time decision for the team’s gold medal game against the United States, was placed on injured reserve by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.
Crosby, 38, will be out for at least four weeks. He suffered a lower body injury in Canada’s quarterfinal victory over Czechia and missed the team’s Olympic semifinal victory over Team Finland.
Crosby skated during Team Canada’s practice on Saturday, giving fans hope the Penguins legend could play in the final, but he was ruled out before the game.
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Sidney Crosby reacts after Canada lost to the United States in the gold medal game at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 22, 2026. (Petr David Josek/AP Photo)
In four Olympic games, Crosby scored two goals and four assists.
Team Canada could have used Crosby and his scoring prowess in their 2-1 overtime loss to the United States, especially in overtime, as the three-time Stanley Cup champion is no stranger to big goals. Crosby scored the golden goal in Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory over Team USA at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
Sidney Crosby (87) of Canada is treated after being injured during the quarterfinal match against Czechia at the Winter Olympics, February 18, 2026, in Milan. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)
Crosby is one of three NHL players who will miss time with their professional clubs due to injuries suffered during the Olympics. The Los Angeles Kings will be without Swiss forward Kevin Fiala for the season after suffering a gruesome leg injury, while the Dallas Stars will be without Finnish forward Mikko Rantanen for at least two weeks due to a lower-body injury.
Losing Crosby is significant for the Penguins as they are in the thick of a playoff race. The Penguins are second in the Metropolitan Division with 70 points, eight points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for first place and one point ahead of the New York Islanders for third place.
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Sidney Crosby reacts during the quarterfinal match between Canada and Czechia at the Winter Olympics, February 18, 2026. (Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Crosby, in his 21st season, is still a force, as he has scored 27 goals and recorded 32 assists in 56 games this season, averaging over a point per game. Although the Penguins sent Crosby to injury reserve, they announced Wednesday that defenseman Kris Letang would be activated.
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