Team Canada’s quest for a third straight Olympic gold in tournaments featuring NHL players came to a heartbreaking end Sunday, as they fell 2-1 in overtime to Team USA at the 2026 Winter Games.
For Connor McDavid, it was a crushing finish to what had been a historic and, at times, superhuman tournament run. And no one understood that better than Canada captain Sidney Crosby.
Sidney Crosby Applauds Connor McDavid’s Exploits
Crosby missed the final two games due to injury, passing the captaincy to McDavid as Canada pushed for the gold medal. The responsibility could not have landed in steadier hands.
McDavid powered Canada to the final, leading the entire tournament with 13 points, two goals, and 11 assists. His performance earned him MVP honors, Best Forward recognition, and a spot on the Olympic All-Star Team. It also set a new scoring record for an NHL player at the Winter Games. He surpassed the previous 11-point mark shared by Finnish greats Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu.
Yet, despite all that brilliance, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Americans in overtime.
Crosby didn’t hesitate when asked about McDavid’s effort. “He did everything humanly possible to lead us,” said the Team Canada captain. “To come into a tournament like this, the best players in the world, and to be able to elevate to the level that he was at is unheard of.
“It’s something that’s amazing to see up close, and you feel for him just because he did so much and led in every possible way. We all want to win for each other, but you know, especially for him. It’s tough that we weren’t able to get that result,” he added.
It was high praise from a three-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, someone who knows exactly what it takes to carry a country on hockey’s biggest stage.
Earlier this month, in a candid piece for The Players’ Tribune, McDavid admitted just how badly he wants to win again. “If I can be real here for a second, I just want to win something again. That’s what was so incredible about the 4 Nations last year.”
The hunger is understandable. Over the past two NHL seasons, McDavid has come painfully close to lifting the Stanley Cup, only to fall short in the Final against the Florida Panthers.
Now, attention shifts back to Edmonton. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged that McDavid may need time before rejoining the lineup. “When he exactly joins the team, and when he’s ready to play, we’ll obviously have to have some conversations with him,” Knoblauch said Sunday.
The Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division. But Edmonton dropped three straight games before the Olympic break. They return to action on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks, though it remains unclear whether McDavid will be available.
