Canada’s Olympic hockey team took the ice against the US today without Marie-Philip Poulin, after the superstar captain exited Monday’s 5-1 win over Czechia with a lower-body injury.

The Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed Poulin’s absence roughly five hours before face-off, citing the injury without elaborating on its severity. The 34-year-old, nicknamed “Captain Clutch,” is considered day-to-day, with her availability for Thursday’s rescheduled game against Finland and Saturday’s quarterfinal both uncertain.

Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin has been ruled OUT for today’s game against the USA and is considered day-to-day beyond that. pic.twitter.com/eywErqIMt2

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 10, 2026

Poulin’s absence delivers a significant blow to Canada’s Olympic hockey defense. She is Canada’s active leader against the US with 74 points across 104 career matchups, earning her nickname after scoring three separate gold medal-clinching goals ahead of her fifth Winter Olympics.

Her injury also puts the marquee Olympic hockey rivalry with US captain Hilary Knight on ice, as Knight competes in her fifth — and final — Winter Games. Team USA enters the game as tournament favorites, after sweeping Canada 4-0 in last winter’s heated Rivalry Series. Then, the US outscored the Canadians by a 24-7 combined margin, including a 10-4 blowout marking the most goals Canada has ever allowed in international play.

Despite the injury, Canada forward Laura Stacey — and Poulin’s wife — expressed confidence in her teammates.

“I don’t know where she’s at, but I do know, no matter what, we’re all going to stick together,” she said. “We are going to support her and I know she’s going to support us, so whatever happens I know that our team is in great hands.”