Sidney Crosby shields devastated Connor McDavid from media after gold medal loss

In defeat, Sidney Crosby showed why he remains one of hockey's most respected leaders as he stepped in to protect an emotionally devastated Connor McDavid following Canada's crushing overtime loss in the Olympic final.

The Oilers captain who had carried Canada through the tournament with a record-breaking 13-point performance was initially scheduled to appear at the post-game press conference alongside head coach Jon Cooper per Ryan Rishaug. Instead, Crosby quietly took his place allowing McDavid to process the defeat privately.

A captain's burden

McDavid briefly stopped for TSN reporters as he left the ice managing only a few words through visible emotion. The weight of the loss was written across his face. A player who had done everything asked of him, only to come up agonizingly short.

When Crosby addressed the media, his message was not of disappointment.

"Everyone should be proud of the way the team performed," Crosby told reporters. "I thought that we did everything but score. In every facet, we were so good today. I thought we deserved better."

His assessment matched what everyone witnessed. Canada controlled play for extended stretches outshooting the Americans 33-18 over the final two periods. They created numerous high-danger chances including multiple open nets and an extended five-on-three power play. None of it resulted in goals.

"It's hard," Crosby continued. "I just tried to be around, be a positive influence. I thought the way we played all tournament, even the games leading up, we were really good and tested. I thought one of our best games was today."

Nathan MacKinnon echoed similar sentiments going so far as to declare Canada the superior team on the day. The statistics support his claim. Shot attempts, scoring chances, zone time, all favored the red and white.

But hockey, as the Canadians learned painfully doesn't always reward the team that deserves it most.

Jack Hughes' winner at 1:41 into overtime sealed an improbable American victory and left Canadian players stunned on the ice. For McDavid specifically, who had been held off the scoresheet for the first time all tournament in the final, the outcome was a cruel twist of fate.

Additional concerns in potential McDavid injury

As if the emotional toll wasn't enough, observers noted potential physical concerns for McDavid moving forward. Sharp-eyed fans spotted what appeared to be tape binding two fingers on his right hand during the post-game handshake line raising questions about whether he played through injury during the tournament.

Combined with reports that Leon Draisaitl was repeatedly seen icing his hand during Germany's Olympic games, the Oilers could be facing a difficult final stretch of the NHL season with both superstars compromised.

For McDavid, who told reporters after the semifinal that he was "just keeping the seat warm" for Crosby while wearing the captain's "C," the burden of that responsibility will weigh heavy. He delivered a historic individual performance, earned MVP honors and led Canada with grace under pressure.

But the only hardware that matters is gold, and on this day, that belonged to the Americans.