![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 12, 2026; Milan, Italy; Mitch Marner and Sidney Crosby of Canada in action with Radek Faksa, Lukas Dostal and Jan Rutta of Czechia in a men's ice hockey Group A match during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Segar/Reuters via Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4955,h_2787/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/383/01kjkbajq9ft0kdtvxnc.jpg "[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 12, 2026; Milan, Italy; Mitch Marner and Sidney Crosby of Canada in action with Radek Faksa, Lukas Dostal and Jan Rutta of Czechia in a men's ice hockey Group A match during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Segar/Reuters via Imagn Images")
Remember when Mark Stone and Mitch Marner played alongside Sidney Crosby for Team Canada? The two Vegas Golden Knights stars vibed well with the Pittsburgh Penguins legend, creating havoc during the qualification rounds. However, disaster struck for the Canadians when Crosby fell to an injury.
The aftermath resulted in the Olympian missing at least four weeks and Penguins fans in full-meltdown mode. What will they do with their generational superstar out of the lineup? Will they completely fall out of the playoff picture with teams like the Washington Capitals looming large (there's that Ovechkin guy again)?
It's obvious to see the impact he has on the Penguins. The legendary forward has delivered three Stanley Cups to western Pennsylvania, making him as big of a figure as any Pittsburgh Steeler. Add two Hart Memorial Trophies to the mix and it's easy to see how he still defines a generation to this day.
But his impact stems beyond the Penguins. In fact, it impacted Stone and Marner during the Winter Olympics. The play affected Team Canada's gold medal aspirations, leaving them a day late and a dollar short, starting with the two Golden Knights.
How Sidney Crosby's absence changed everything for Mark Stone and Mitch Marner during the 2026 Winter Olympics
Imagine this scenario, dear reader. Life was going great for Team Canada during the Winter Olympics. Mark Stone had two goals and two assists leading up to the quarterfinal matchup against the Czech Republic. Mitch Marner? He had four assists before that game.
Everything was going well until Radko Gudas laid out the Penguins legend. Fans couldn't believe it! The generational talent was down on the ice, suffering a lower-body injury in the process. Everyone was shaken to their cores, wondering whether this was it for the legend. Most of all, would Stone and Marner live without their linemate?
It turns out that this wasn't the case, as the duo combined for one goal the rest of the way. Granted, that came from Marner's game-winner against the Czech Republic later on. However, the two Golden Knights couldn't survive without their fellow Olympic linemate around.
In turn, it paved the way for Jack Eichel and the Americans to win their first gold medal since 1980. That has left Canadians wondering what would've been with "Sid the Kid" around. But that also leaves the question of what would've happened if Marner and Stone still dominated like he was still there.
Sunday's a good day for Marner and Stone to step up in a big way for their Olympic teammate
It might take a little bit for Stone, Marner, and the rest of the Olympians to get back into their respective grooves. Golden Knights fans saw that against the Washington Capitals on Friday, when the team went on its patented faux-comeback.
However, the current five-game road trip is the ultimate opportunity for the two Canadian Olympians to take control. That starts with Sunday's game, where they won't see their Olympic teammate around.
Heck, the Golden Knights could use that play. Vegas hasn't done too hot against teams currently in playoff position this season. What better way to do that than by beating a playoff team... who had that Olympic legend?