Team Canada Extinguishes Early Panic Around Nathan MacKinnon Missing Practice Ahead of Winter Olympics Playoff Hockey

Team Canada has assembled the best of the NHL in its pursuit of ultimate glory for the country. Captain Sidney Crosby, who already has two Olympic gold medals, is hellbent on a third. Canada’s campaign in Italy has been flawless so far: the 10-2 win over France was almost cinematic, but concerns came to the fore when Nathan MacKinnon missed practice on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Thankfully, head coach Jon Cooper swiftly dismissed any sense of panic.

Nathan MacKinnon’s Absence from Team Canada’s Practice No Cause for Alarm

Team Canada’s unblemished campaign assumed its most aggressive form in the showdown against France. In a 10-2 win, Crosby and company trounced France to secure a quarterfinal birth at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

A good chunk of Team Canada got on the scoreboard, fueled by a passion so intense that there was no stopping them. Over the course of the game, 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini became the first NHL player to score on a penalty shot at the Olympics.

With stellar performances from every player on the ice, Team Canada secured the No. 1 seed, and while it is expected to face tough competition from Team USA later on, they’ve sent a resounding warning to every opponent out there.

Amid such dizzying times, the sight of Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett missing practice ought to have raised some concern among fans. Thankfully, the team’s head coach has dismissed all such worries. Cooper squarely stated that there has been no adverse development in the locker room, attributing MacKinnon and Bennett’s absence to “maintenance days.” 

Cooper also added that Brad Marchand, who missed the last two games, will be available for the playoffs.

Word from coach Jon Cooper post practice on Canada’s players:

MacKinnon and Bennett – “maintenance days, they’re all good. No panic.”

Morrissey: “Looked good [in practice] but not sure [on status].”

Marchand is “available” to play.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 17, 2026

Concern for MacKinnon is certainly not unfounded. During Canada’s exhilarating showdown against France, the 30-year-old took a high hit from Pierre Crinon. Tom Wilson immediately followed up on Crinon, taking matters into his own hands. Wilson was later slapped with a fighting major.

Also Read: Stunning Stat Proves Connor McDavid’s in a League of His Own at 2026 Winter Olympics

Wilson’s willingness to leap to his teammate’s defense is a testimony to the unity that flows through the team. Defenseman Devon Toews stated that what every player on that team has in common is an unrivaled sense of solidarity and a passion for the game. “We stick up for each other. We’re passionate about hockey. We’re passionate about our team,” Toews told Bill Price.