Canada entered the elimination stage as the No. 1 seed, winning all three round‑robin games with a +17 goal differential. The quarterfinal loss to Czechia exposed vulnerabilities when Sidney Crosby was sidelined. In response, Coach Jon Cooper shifted Nathan MacKinnon up to the top line, pairing him with Connor McDavid and Celebrini to strengthen the attack for the upcoming semifinals.
Canada Rethinks MacKinnon Deployment Ahead of Olympic Semifinals
Canada’s coach Jon Cooper has moved Nathan MacKinnon to the top line with Connor McDavid and Celebrini after Sidney Crosby’s injury, as the team prepares for the Olympic semifinals.