Coach Jon Cooper gives hopeful Sidney Crosby update after worrisome injury

Fans of Team Canada and the Pittsburgh Penguins understandably feared the worst as they watched superstar captain Sidney Crosby head into the dressing room with what appeared to be a lower-body injury in the second period of a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory for Canada over Czechia in Wednesday's Milan Cortina Olympics quarterfinal matchup. 

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Canada coach Jon Cooper supporters hope that Crosby's issue isn't as bad as it looked. 

How long is Sidney Crosby out for Canada, Pittsburgh Penguins?

Per Mollie Walker of the New York Post, Cooper insisted that Crosby is "by no means ruled out" for the remainder of the Olympic tournament. 

"We got the best of the best looking at him," Cooper added about Crosby. "...We're taking this day by day, and we're not going to put anybody in harm's way. But if he can play, he's definitely going to. We’ll know more again in 24 hours." 

Canada next faces Finland in the semifinal round on Friday. That game is scheduled to get underway at 10:40 a.m. ET.

Many viewed Canada as the overwhelming favorite to win gold before the Olympics got underway. Meanwhile, the Penguins were arguably the top positive surprise of the 2025-26 NHL season before the league entered its Olympic break. 

29-15-12 Pittsburgh currently sits in the second playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division standings. The Penguins' campaign will resume with a home game versus the New Jersey Devils (28-27-2) on Feb. 26. 

What Sidney Crosby means to Team Canada

While Crosby couldn't play versus Czechia following his injury, the 38-year-old captain addressed the Canadian team ahead of the game's third period. He was not spotted on the ice for Canada's optional practice on Thursday. 

"I don't even know what words to use," Canada defenseman Drew Doughty said about what the legendary Crosby means to the team and to the country's hockey program. "I mean, he's the guy that showed all the young guys, young players growing up, what it means to be Canadian, what it means to be a Canadian hockey player. Getting to play with him, I even feel that being a teammate of his. So that just shows you how special it is." 

If Crosby is truly day-to-day, history suggests he'll do anything and everything he can to take the ice on Friday.