Sidney Crosby ruled out for Canada vs USA gold medal game as Team Canada announces lineup

According to Frank Seravalli and later confirmed by Pierre LeBrun, the Canadian side are going to be without Sidney Crosby as they head into their gold medal game against the United States.

Elliotte Friedman also reported that while Crosby is out, the rest of the lineup remained unchanged from Canada's semifinal; game vs. Finland:

Team Canada later confirmed this with one last look at the team before they take the ice:

With Crosby out, the US Team may have the advantage heading into the game as Canada is down one of their most dangerous and clutch options though if the Canadians can come out hot, that may be the best way to negate the loss of Crosby.

Sid the Kid was injured during Canada's quarterfinal game vs. Czechia when defenceman Radko Gudas ended up crunching him at center ice, with Crosby's leg buckling underneath him.

It's really an unfortunate turn of events for Crosby, who may have just lost the chance to play for the gold for the rest of his career. With him already 38, the next Olympics will come around when he's 42 -- and while he could be playing that long, it's not guaranteed for sure.

Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews; two players who were dreading Crosby in the lineup, have to be more than relieved that their chances of claiming their first gold since 1980 is a much more feasible task now.

Crosby ends his Olympics with six points (2 goals, 4 assists) and a plus-three.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews make one thing clear about Sidney Crosby before gold