Crosby 'by no means' out of Games, Cooper says

MILAN — Sidney Crosby, injured during Canada’s quarterfinal win over Czechia, is “by no means ruled out” of the Olympic tournament, coach Jon Cooper said Thursday.

“We have the best of the best looking at him,” Cooper said, adding that the team is “taking this day by day.” According to sources, that includes Crosby undergoing an MRI to assess the damage on his lower-body injury, which appeared to be his right leg.

Sources said Crosby wants to play if he can but that it’s uncertain if he will be able to.

Crosby, 38, did not participate as Canada held an optional skate Thursday following its thrilling 4-3 overtime win over Czechia. Canada’s next game is a semifinal with Finland on Friday (10:40 a.m. ET).

“We’re not going to put anyone in harm’s way,” Cooper said. “But if he can play, he’s definitely going to. We’ll know more in again in 24 hours.”

If Crosby cannot play, Olympic rules require another player to wear the “C” as captain for the game. Cooper declined to name a captain replacement Thursday because Crosby has not been ruled out.

“It’s almost impossible to fill the player void, but we’ll do our best,” defenseman Drew Doughty said. “Guys got to step up.”

Crosby exited Wednesday’s game against Czechia in the second period after a tough series. First, Crosby was bracing for a hit from Radko Gudas as the physical defenseman toppled over him. Seconds later, Crosby was pinned by Gudas and Martin Necas along the boards. Crosby returned to the bench, where he was hunched over in pain, and then limped to the locker room.

After the game, Gudas said he hoped Crosby was OK and that “I was just trying to play hard; everybody is playing physical.”

When Czechia took a 2-1 lead in the first period, it marked the first time Canada had trailed all Olympics. Crosby addressed his teammates before the third period, which they later said was a motivating factor in the comeback win. Cooper said the team had a mantra not to let Wednesday be Crosby’s last game of the Olympics.

Crosby is tied for third on his stacked Canadian team with six points (two goals, four assists) through four games. He is the oldest player on Canada’s roster and the most decorated — especially after scoring the golden goal in overtime to defeat the United States at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Nick Suzuki took Crosby’s spot between Mitch Marner and Mark Stone in the quarterfinals and scored the tying goal with 3:27 left on a deflection.

“Hopefully we can have Sid back, but I think I can find a way to play with anybody,” Suzuki said. “They’re two super smart players. Think they both play a pretty similar game to me, so when I got put there, kind of felt pretty easy for a segment to have two wingers like that.”

Sam Bennett looks like the forward who would go in if Crosby does not play. Even if not in uniform, his teammates expect Crosby to still lead behind the scenes.

“He’s Sidney Crosby,” Connor McDavid said. “He’s going to have a big influence, no matter what. In the lineup, not in the lineup, he’s going to have a big influence. That’s what he does.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.