Crosby Touts Team Canada's Veteran Experience Ahead of Olympics Quarterfinal

The Penguins star says the team's seasoned players will be key to their gold medal pursuit.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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With NHL players returning to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014, Team Canada boasts a roster full of veteran talent that has been in high-pressure situations before. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby highlighted the importance of that experience as Canada prepares for the quarterfinal round in Milano Cortina.

Why it matters

After dominating France 10-2 in the preliminary round, Canada now faces a win-or-go-home scenario in the quarterfinals. Crosby and other seasoned Olympians on the roster, like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, will be leaned on to guide the team through the intensity and speed of the knockout rounds.

The details

Crosby, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, noted that 17 players on Canada's roster have experience in high-stakes, do-or-die games from the NHL. The coaching staff, led by Jon Cooper, also has extensive experience in Game 7 situations. Crosby believes this familiarity with pressure-packed moments will be crucial as Canada pursues another gold medal.

  • Team Canada decimated France 10-2 in the preliminary round on February 14, 2026.
  • The quarterfinal round of the men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina will take place in the coming days.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The veteran Pittsburgh Penguins captain and two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada.

Connor McDavid

One of the young stars on the Canadian roster with NHL experience in high-pressure situations.

Nathan MacKinnon

Another skilled Canadian player who has played in do-or-die games in the NHL.

Jon Cooper

The head coach of Team Canada, who has coached in Game 7 situations in the NHL.

Pete DeBoer

An assistant coach for Team Canada with NHL head coaching experience.

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What they’re saying

“The stakes are higher but that's why you put in so much preparation. That's why you really work to get your identity as a team so that when you get to these big games that you're out there and the intensity, the speed, it's all there, but you understand your game and that remains the same. That's why you put all the work in for these opportunities and for us we've got a lot of guys who have been in these situations. They understand what's at stake and we all need to elevate our game in those situations.”

— Sidney Crosby (NHL.com)

“This group has never really failed that (do or die) game before. I didn't want this one to slip through the cracks. It didn't. Now we're ready.”

— Jon Cooper, Head Coach, Team Canada (NHL.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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