Canada ‘cautiously optimistic’ Sidney Crosby will be ready for 4 Nations Face-Off

Sidney Crosby won’t play in the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ matchup on Friday night against the New York Rangers – so what does that mean for his 4 Nations Face-Off status?

Recently named Canada’s captain, Crosby was injured during Pittsburgh’s 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. He left the game for about eight minutes before returning to finish the game. He immediately downplayed any injury concerns but has been kept out of the main Penguins’ practices ever since, with coach Mike Sullivan saying they’re taking things “day by day.”

The 37-year-old was named tournament MVP at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the last time the NHL sent players to a best-on-best international competition. He also won gold at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, with his title-deciding goal against the United States in 2010 becoming one of the most popular moments in Canadian hockey history.

During a segment of Coast-to-Coast on Amazon Prime on Thursday, Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli shared some insight into Crosby’s potential participation as the 4 Nations Face-Off kicks off next Wednesday:

Andi Petrillo: “Frank, Team Canada fans are holding their breath with Sidney Crosby’s injury. Looks like he got crunched there. What are you hearing about his status for 4 Nations?

Frank Seravalli: “Well, Andi, Team Canada is cautiously optimistic, I would say, that the captain will be in the lineup six days from now when the puck drops on the 4 Nations between Team Canada and Sweden in Montreal. The belief is that this is a left wrist injury and a bit of a mixed bag for Crosby on Thursday. He did skate but did not do much shooting, as he was on his own on a separate ice sheet from the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was receiving passes, seemed to be skating just fine.

“But after getting crunched, it’s important to keep in mind with that left wrist. In September 2021, he had surgery and had some plates inserted there. Not a prediction, but as we look forward toward this weekend, the Pittsburgh Penguins have back-to-back games. Don’t be surprised if Sidney Crosby does travel. It is the Penguins’ father’s trip. His dad is already in town and ready to go on the trip and rests up before Wednesday’s Four Nations face-off opener. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Team Canada know how much Crosby means to this tournament, and he’s trying to gear up.”

The 4 Nations Face-Off will kick off with Canada taking on Sweden on Feb. 12, with the champion being crowned on Feb. 20.