Crosby’s absence for Canada helped Barkov-less Finland keep game close

Canada and Finland partook in an instant classic in the semifinal of the men’s Olympic hockey tournament. However, one has to wonder how things would’ve played out with two important veterans in action.

Finland came to Milan already emotionally shorthanded, as captain Aleksander Barkov is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season due to ACL and MCL injuries suffered during training camp with the Florida Panthers. Yet, Suomi has managed to push through and will be playing for a medal despite not having Barkov in the lineup. On the other hand, Canada was without its captain after Sidney Crosby was injured during the team’s quarterfinal victory over Czechia.

The game itself was thrilling. Finland grabbed a 2-0 lead before Canada stormed back, with Nathan MacKinnon’s goal in the final minute of regulation sending the team to the gold medal game.

Yet, it still begs the question whether the game could’ve played out if Barkov had been playing for his country, and how he would’ve matched up against Crosby.

During the postgame show on Daily Faceoff, Jeff Marek and Greg Wyshynski discuss how the game could’ve been different if Crosby and Barkov were both in the lineup.

Greg Wyshynski: In the grand scheme of alternate realities, does Finland play for gold if Barkov’s in this game?

Jeff Marek: I was wondering about that too, but does that not offset by saying, ‘Well, does it get that far if Sidney Crosby’s in the lineup?’ Like, does the absence of Crosby, does that wash while they didn’t have Barkov?

Greg: The absence of Crosby would have meant that Barkov probably gets McDavid as an assignment. As history has shown, Barkov can do a decent job against McDavid. I wonder if things would have been different. But again, if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, as they say.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…