Team Canada faces anxious wait as Sidney Crosby heads for Milan imaging

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Daniel Lucente
February 18, 2026 (5:08 PM)

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Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Sidney Crosby, Team Canada, Milan Olympics tension just spiked, he needs imaging for a lower-body injury and Friday suddenly feels very far away.

The update came out of Milan after Canada’s quarterfinal win, and it was the kind of wording that makes every fan brace.

Crosby left in the second period and never came back.

Coach Jon Cooper didn’t sell calm, because he couldn’t.

“I don't even have my poker face on either, because I honestly don't know."

- Jon Cooper

Here’s the Kaplan post that kicked the worry into high gear.

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Imaging in Milan is the next step, and until that comes back, every lineup guess is just noise.

Canada can survive a quiet night from a winger, but not a compromised Crosby.

Penguins fans are already doing that thing where you try to stay logical, then refresh for updates like it’s your job.

With Pittsburgh, Crosby has 59 points this season, 27-32-59, and he’s driving a 29-15-12 team that still expects spring hockey.

That’s why “lower body” at the Olympics hits different, even if it ends up minor.

For Team Canada, the urgency is simple, the semifinals are Friday.

If Crosby can’t push or pivot cleanly, the man advantage loses its heartbeat.

If he can go, even at less than 100 percent, Cooper has to manage shifts like it’s a playoff Game 7.

Right now, it’s waiting on scans and hoping the first hard update is the good one.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

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FEVRIER 18\|471 ANSWERS Team Canada faces anxious wait as Sidney Crosby heads for Milan imaging Should Team Canada sit Sidney Crosby no matter what next game?
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