Former NHLers take on whether Sidney Crosby should dress vs Team USA

The news hit hard Saturday morning, and it instantly changed the vibe around Canada.

Crosby is banged up, and his status for Sunday against the Americans is suddenly shaky.

On Quebec TV, Dave Morissette went even further, saying Crosby is operating at “80%” right now and still expects him in uniform. That specific percentage is his claim, not an official medical update.

What we do know, Canada has treated Crosby as day to day since the lower-body injury in the quarterfinal.

He missed the semifinal, and Canada still gutted out a 3-2 comeback win over Finland to book the final.

That win didn’t erase the obvious question, how do you beat Team USA if your captain can’t drive the middle at full speed?

Crosby isn’t just vibes, he’s still producing, with 27-32-59 in 56 NHL games this season.

Even at less than 100%, his touch on the man advantage and his ability to slow the chaos can tilt a tight game.

Canadian fans know this movie, and nobody wants to watch their captain limp through another legacy moment.

The staff has to weigh two ugly risks, Crosby aggravating it, or Crosby playing limited minutes and dragging the pace.

The Vancouver ghost is real too, because the Americans still remember the 2010 overtime heartbreak.

If Crosby can’t go, the lineup question gets sharp fast, because Seth Jarvis is already on the roster and ready to rip at full throttle.

Jarvis doesn’t replace Crosby’s brain, but he can pressure the USA blue line with speed and a straight-line game.

Coach Jon Cooper has hinted Crosby’s chances are better than they were for the semifinal, but it’s still not a lock.

And that’s why this feels so heavy, Canada might win gold with its captain at 80%, or it might need to survive without him entirely.

Either way, Sunday is coming, and the decision will define this tournament for years.