Before I start talking about anything else, let me just say that yesterday was one of the greatest days of hockey (from a results standpoint) that I can ever remember. You had Canada down late, won in overtime. Finland scored twice in the final five minutes to send the game in overtime where they ultimately won. USA played a phenomenal game against Sweden which also saw a goal in the final five minutes, this time by Sweden, to send the game to OT where USA won. Just incredible games start to finish, the storylines were plentiful, and drama palpable.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, I want Radko Gudas’ work visa removed. Sidney Crosby got injured during the second period against Czechia after a Gudas hit where Sid’s knee seemingly got bent awkwardly.

Crosby left the game after this shift and almost immediately went down the tunnel. Canada looked absolutely out of sorts without its leader. McDavid began to shrink, as we all expected, and there were times where Czechia was actually outplaying Canada. At 38 years old, Sidney Crosby is still the most important player to whatever team he is leading onto the ice, it is actually crazy. Now in terms of updates, we have got very little. First, we heard that he was getting an MRI last night and we would hear this morning. This morning rolled around and we got no diagnosis, but at least they aren’t ruling him out for the tournament. Truth be told, it is my wet dream to see Canada look as dominate as they have only for Sid to not play and McDavid to flounder. We saw that it’s a realistic possibility after the way Canada played in Sid’s absence. The issue with my wet dream is that I care about the Penguins more than most people care about breathing so if Sid got hurt in a basically meaningless tournament and ruined the Penguins season I’m not sure what would happen to me. So, I will be spending all day checking my phone for any updates on our captain. If Sid were to be out, how does this change Dubas’ plan for the deadline? The entire season for the Penguins hangs in the balance, unless Geno can strap the team on his back without Sid one final time.

Crosby exited with an injury and still managed to make the biggest impact on the game. After Mitch Marner scored the OT winner (below is the best replay I could find), every single player talked almost exclusively about Sid. They all said “we didn’t want this to be Sid’s last game in the Olympics.” That quote gives me hope that he is going to return. Regardless of his playing status, what a great leader of men. He was likely hobbling around the locker room after the second period and instead of getting treatment he decided to address the team. Whatever Sid said in that speech galvanized the group and made them determined to win no matter the circumstances. I truly cannot wait to see what Connor McLoser is able to do if Crosby is unavailable to play. For any of my doubters out there, if McDavid cannot win this tournament without Sid I will be proven to be the most correct human of all time.

As for the United States they held up their end of the bargain and dispatched of Sweden in overtime. Quinn Hughes waved off Mike Sullivan, stayed on the ice, and ripped a piss missile past Markstrom to win the game. The United States was clearly the better team yesterday for the first two periods. Then we saw something that was emblematic of the last few years of Penguins coached Sullivan teams, they scurried back into their shell for the third period. The United States had 20(!) shots on goal in the second period and only 4(!) in the third. The defensive posturing they began to take in the third period was so reminiscent of the last two years in Pittsburgh, I thought Guentzel threw on the black and gold one last time. It’s such an odd trend for Sullivan coached teams because when the Penguins were dominant with his as their coach, they kept the peddle to the meddle. Even at times where they went into a defensive shell, they always found a way to hang on to the lead in the trying moments. For quite a few years now, Sullivan led teams simply cannot do that. As soon as Sweden tied the game it was like the United States just immediately went back to the game plan that got them the 1-0 lead in the first place. They outshot Sweden 7-0 in overtime and had a few chances to win the game in regulation even. I doubt Sullivan is going to change his ways, but playing like that against Canada is a potential gold medal game is not going to yield the same results as it did against Sweden. We also saw Sullivan use Trochek and Miller in overtime, similar to when Acciari or another 4th liner would come in for the Pens to win a faceoff, this is another thing he certainly cannot afford to do against Canada. Neither Miller nor Trochek is going to be able to keep up with Celebrini or Mackinnon hunting for a gold medal. Aside from the coaching blunders, the United States looks like a clear contender to win gold especially if the best player on Canada is held out (Crosby).

Canada will play Finland tomorrow, we will wait to hear if Sid is going to play. USA will square off against Slovakia. If the hockey gods are listening, please let Canada and USA play in the gold medal, it’s what the entire world wants to see. Can McDavid change the narrative about himself much like Marner did? Does USA have the stones to avenge their loss last year? Will Crosby play? Is Hellebuyck a choker? Does Canada have depth without Sid? The storylines would be plentiful and the game would almost certainly be fantastic, hopefully it happens.

PS. Free Bird is maybe the best goal song in the history of hockey.