Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - EXPLOSIVE: Mitch Marner RESCUES Canada, NHL Superstars IMPACT Olympic Games, Crosby Injury FEARS

Episode Date: February 19, 2026

Canada and Team USA punch their tickets to the Olympic hockey semifinals after gripping overtime battles. Are NHL stars elevating the sport’s global stage and making these games must-watch? Sidney Crosby’s injury shakes up the Penguins’ playoff outlook, while Mitch Marner’s clutch heroics spark Leafs fans and ignite Twitter with debate about his legacy. Unforgettable moments abound as controversial officiating, intense trash talk, and maple syrup celebrations fuel the drama.Gil Martin, David Morassutti, and Zach Berman dissect Canada’s narrow escape against Czechia and Team USA’s gritty win over Sweden. Key topics include the impact of NHL talent on Olympic hockey, injury risks, and how Finland and Slovakia threaten medal favorites. The hosts spotlight top players like Nathan MacKinnon, Jacob Markstrom, and Quinn Hughes, while previewing Canada vs. Finland and US vs. Slovakia semifinal showdowns. Will overtime rules decide Olympic glory, or will star power prevail? Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!IndeedNow, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelUse your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.  FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The final four at the Olympics has been set after some exciting quarterfinal games. We'll talk about that and look ahead to the semis next on today's Locked-on NHL Olympic Squad Show. You are talking puck with the NHL Squad Show. From the Oilers to the stars, Golden Knights, and the Panthers, the Rangers, Avalanche, and yes, even the Maple Leafs. The Locked-on podcast network brings together all its local experts to provide the scoops, breakdowns, and comprehensive looks at all the NHL, with plenty of trash talk to go with it. Don't miss the hard hits and glove dropping hot takes on the Locked-on NHL Squad Show. It's time to drop the puck.

Welcome, everybody, to this Wednesday edition of the Locked-on NHL Olympic Squad Show. I'm Gil Martin from Lockedon Islanders. I'm here with David Morrisuti of Lockedon Leafs and Zach Berman of Lockdown Devils. We are part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. And I want to thank everyone for making the Lockdown NHL Squad show your first listen every day. Don't forget to subscribe to Lockdown NHL on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. So you never miss an episode.

And thanks for helping to make Locked on the number one sports podcast network. I'm here again with David Morrisudi of Locked on Leafs, Zach Berman of Locked on Devils. And guys, three overtime games. this quarter final round, your initial thoughts. If anybody ever tries to suggest that NHLers should not be in the Olympics, they should just not be allowed to have opinions in hockey. This is everything we wanted, right?

Absolutely. 12 hours of just crazy, intense games, three great finishes. And, yeah, I don't, I've watched the Olympics hockey hockey. without the NHL players. The quality has just nowhere close. Absolutely nowhere close. And it is a big reason why, you know, the, I, uh, double HF and the IOC, you know,

compromise with whatever the NHL was looking for in their demands for this. It's because this, this is the best players. These are, like, the whole point of the Olympics is to have best on best. and frankly the the men's hockey tournament has never had that feeling about it since 2014. It just has not had that feeling. And this year you're seeing exactly why that is. Yeah, there's no doubt that the quality of play is higher.

And if the Olympics is supposed to be best on best, this is what you want to see. Now, the flip side of that is injuries. And we did have another injury take place today. but I guess if you want to have best on best, that's something you got to live with. It's unfortunate. It's a contact sport. It can happen to anybody, right? Exactly, right?

Like, here's the thing. I understand that, you know, you lose your players in a non-NHL event and all those things. But these players, some of these players came to the Olympics hurt. Some of these players, you know, some of these teams lost players even going, you know, from their NHL. So it's just from the NHL side of the things, too, right? So you can't have it both ways. You can't say, all right, you know, you can't mitigate the, you know, this sort of thing.

Because if you try to tell players, ah, you got to take it easy so you don't get hurt. I'm sorry. You try telling players that they can't be playing at their best for their country. It's not a recipe for success for a tournament like this. So you just have to, it's something you have to live with. you know, players get hurt in the off season, you know, for things like that are beyond the team's control. So I think that, you know, you have to kind of take everything with the caution that these sort of things are going to happen. And look, there are some players getting hurt right now.

It's unfortunate, but if you ask any of the players whether they regret coming to these Olympics, I doubt anybody. Any player is showing any regret for coming to this. tournament. Yeah, I would have to agree with that. How about Canada's win earlier today in overtime, a late goal by Chequia, Andre Pallat, tying it up, someone who both Zach and I are quite familiar with. But I gave him the lead. Yeah, gave him the lead. And, you know, I think I give a lot of credit to both teams. I mean, Canada for eventually winning the game. And, and, you know, I think, I give a lot of credit to both teams. I mean, Canada for eventually

winning the game and Czechia for giving them such a hard battle to the finish. Never in doubt, right gentlemen? Never in doubt. I had something planned if Canada was going to lose this game. I'm afraid to ask. Instead, I must just

raise my maple syrup and say, oh God, I'm going to regret this. Oh, Oh, it's so much sure. I can give you the real stuff, man. Let me know next time. This is the real stuff.

Right from the, right from the Maple and Quebec, that's where the good stuff comes from. Look, never in doubt, right? But didn't I say a few days ago on the squad show, who could potentially steal a game and send this whole tournament to chaos? I said Lucas Dostolic. Yeah, he was pretty close to doing that. Here's the thing. I look at this game and you can tell certain players are banged up. I think every team has players who are banged them.

I don't think Nathan McKinnon. I had 100%. We know that now losing Sidney Crosby. God, that hurts. But the big one here for me too is, and I'm sure we were going to get to this guild, but when you have to play against not only the team, but the refs too I'm going there right now gentlemen

because first off the penalty that Passanak scored the goal on I thought that was a chinty call then the refs decide you know what we're just going to close our eyes and not count how many players are on the ice that was ridiculous

when check yeah not only scored the goal like they scored the goal ahead goal there were eight players on the ice at one point in that sequence because players came on players were coming off there were six players in the celebration there's a photo of it clear as day and i'm just like how does the relianceman not go one two like like i and then the i know that the coach for a check yeah came out and says well it's hard to win when you're playing against six

and i'm like you mean it's easier to try to steal a game you're playing with six because that's what your team tried to do. Is now a good time to mention that everyone's least favorite NHL official, Chris Rooney was the head official in this game? Maybe, maybe not. They try, we all know that double HF and the Olympic officials have always been a sore spot. One of the few things that in this tournament people have always had an issue with. And it hasn't really been a problem up until this game.

like let's be honest. I remember the checker coach was like, well, they're trying a mix of the NHL, WHO IHF officials and it's, we're not seeing, I've watched NHL games and things that are called there are not being called here.

And I'm just like, like, it really wasn't a problem until this game. It just kind of feels like that. But thankfully, at the end of the day, the hockey gods reward the team that they deserve it the most.

Especially when this beauty right over, here, Mitch Marner, who I don't think I've ever said a bad thing about ever on the Locked on Leavesman. Not ever. It's not like this jersey has been banished to the side since July, because he came and he proved maybe his good in clutch situations. Can we talk about the Maple Leafs Twitter account tweeting the Canadian flag and then the magic wand?

You know, I'm sure there's some old school these fans who are absolutely triggered by that. But I loved it. I love the fact that, you know what, he was a leaf for all this time. And I think one thing that people need to remember here, the Leafs didn't push Mitch Marner out. They offered Mitch Marner a contract. Mitch Marner, and he actually technically signed the contract with the Leafs,

but then asked for the trade. We'll get away from the semantics on that. but like at the end of the day he was still a leaf for a good majority like for the majority of his career and so i i did like that they did that it's a nice touch i'm sure he will appreciate that um i the replies to that tweet let let's just say we're uh quite quite hilarious uh colorful yes and no but it goes to show and the reaction i After the fact to all this, just goes to show Toronto remains the center of the hockey universe, no matter which way shape or form, it still happens.

I was wrapping up my USA Sweden Devils-oriented preview when that came across my feed, and I actually ended up wrapping up the show within like two minutes of reading it because I couldn't, I couldn't catch my breath. I was losing it. It was definitely an interesting touch, to say the least. Sydney Crosby being injured, I mean, that could have a big effect on the playoff race, depending on how long he's out. Losing a superstar future Hall of Famer for the Penguins, that really could have an impact.

I mean, John Cooper did say Sidney Crosby has not played his last game as an Olympian. What does that mean? Hopefully it means he's not too seriously hurt. Yeah, I know that he's supposed to go and get imaging done, which isn't. a good sign when you know if when you once you hear image now if this is just a pretty cautionary to make sure everything's okay

but I think we can all agree Rakudu Deghutus is now public enemy enemy number one everywhere that wasn't a dirty hit but you know leave sit alone

I'm sure locked on penguins will feel that way too yeah I'm sure they That doesn't play Pittsburgh again this year. I double check. No, they don't. But it would have definitely been interesting if they did. For sure.

All right, we're going to talk a little bit more about Team USA's win. Plus, we're going to look ahead to the semi-final round. We'll have all of that and more coming up on the Locked on NHL Olympic Squad Show. Today's episode is brought to by FanDuel. Ever wanted to experience the NBA finals live and in person? Bandool is giving you the chance to turn that dream into reality with their NBA sweepstakes. Here's how it works. Use your profit boost on any NBA future, and you'll automatically be entered for a shot to win an NBA finals trip for two.

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Play your game with Fandul, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Overtime for Canada, overtime for Team USA. a very entertaining game, low-scoring game, but very entertaining. And the United States advances to the semis with a hard-fought two-to-one win over Sweden. Guys, your first impression about this game. The first time that Team USA has beaten Sweden in either Olympic competition or four-nations competition since 1960. And it did not come easy.

Yeah, I mean, look, you give both teams credit. They play, no, it was a very tight game. It was, yeah, I don't know, not a lot of scoring, but there were chances. Both goaltenders were phenomenal. I'm sure, Zach, you probably felt, even though in the loss, you probably felt great about seeing what Markstrom did in this game. I have plenty of thoughts about that. This guy was extended after giving up eight goals for the first time in his career,

would not be the last time this season he gave up at least eight. But the next day, I was in San Francisco. I found out in a waymo of one of those driverless taxis. I got out of the car and recorded on my phone. And my Twitter was blown up with, what are you talking about? It's a good extension. I was like, guys, I don't like this. No, this is infuriating because my least favorite,

athlete that has ever played for one of my teams as a role as Chapman, who blew a bunch of games for the Yankees, did some terrible things off the field. I joked about it to my friends, I said, if Jacob Markstrom, after all he has done to the New Jersey Devils this season, turns around and plays lights out against Team USA and steals the game, he's going to be up there in Chapman territory for me. And he very nearly did that. This guy looked like a brick wall. and I'm sitting there, I'm going like, oh, so now you can do this.

Okay. Cool. Wait a minute. Does that speak more to the poor quality of defense being played in front of them by the devils? Or does it speak to him rising to the occasion at the Olympics or a little bit of boat? The devils defensively have been fine. Okay. He has missed so many savable pucks.

as devil's goalie this year like actually one of the worst single seasons i've ever seen from a starting caliber goalie ever you remember a few years ago when v tech banechech was run out of town for like an 895 save percentage markstrom is an 881 yeah yeah yeah it's kind of crazy that you know like like mark and like i felt like with sweden all the goalies kind of were like even gusas and he didn't even dress in this game like for waltzette why are they not playing him yeah i I don't know. The Swedish coach, I think that's going to be the biggest thing to come out of this tournament for Sweden.

Obviously, not meddling at these Olympics is a huge, they should never been in this position. So there's going to be a lot to be said about, you know, the Swedish coach going forward. But, man, Quinn Hughes, first off, Gil,

who, you know, when you see an American player like Quinn Hughes that was not there for four nations last year, and now I'm hearing from people talking to me, well, Quinn Hughes wasn't there against Canada last year. How different could things have gone? And I agree.

Quinn Hughes is a game breakier defenseman. Zach could have been a devil maybe, potentially, right? That is what makes, again, the Olympics just so much better watching these sort of players. And Quinn Hughes being there and what he brings to that U.S. team. I'll admit it, even as a Canadian, it's great to see because this is truly the best form of a team USA. Also, Austin Matthews was on the ice for the overtime winner,

so can't hate on that either. But yeah, I think, like, Quinn Hughes is just the difference that he brings on the ice when he's playing for Team USA. It's nice to see. How about Jack? Yeah. He was not good in Four Nations. There was a lot of question marks coming into his game

and how it would stack up an international competition. He has been awesome and also had the primary assist on Larkin's goal and regulation. Yeah, he did. There's one thing that's been bothering me, though, and I wanted to run it by both of you. Three on three overtime in a winner go home situation, no, I can't get with that. I want a hockey.

And then if they don't score in 10 minutes, it goes to a shootout. I don't want a skills competition. or a glorified game of Shini deciding who goes on to the next round and who goes home. Like in the Stanley Cup playoffs, they should play five on five. And if they play until 4 o'clock in the morning, they play until somebody scores. I don't care. I want this game decided by hockey.

Yeah. You know what? I totally forgot. As soon as time was getting ready. And I'm like, oh, wait, it's three on three. Then the shoot, I'm like, Why? Like, look, honestly, the anxiety level goes so much higher with three on three because one little thing.

Like, you know, it benefited Canada. I can't lie on that. Benefited the U.S. too, because they didn't give up a shot on goal in the overtime. Yeah. You know, to me, I understand why the NHL did it for the regular season because they want games and a lot quicker. And they want fewer shootouts, although now that's kind of. teams are working the way around that a little bit more. But it's having the more desired effect.

But yeah, I totally agree with you that in the Olympics, in the playoffs, I think the world juniors is the same way too. I think in the gold medal game, it does change, though, in the world juniors.

I think in these Olympics, it does change as well in the gold medal game. I'll have to confirm that. But yeah, I totally, I just, I don't like the idea that you come all this way. And then a three-on-three decides a very important game like this, whether a team gets a medal or not.

I do think that five-on-five, look, you will find a way to win the game five-on-five. We have seen it. As a Canadian, I have seen it done. Five-on-five is fine. But remember, remember when the U.S. had that, you know, it does bring up some great moments, like the shootout. T.J. O. O. She would tell a lot of people what a shootout can do. for your career. But, you know, in this stage of the Olympics, I do agree.

You have to let the 5-on-5 play dictate how the game ends. All right, guys, you fought hard for 60 minutes. For the next 10 minutes, we're just going to shrink everything down and let only three on each side go up and determine how the game ends. I do agree with that. I'm not going to lie. I love a three-on-three in this spot. I thought it was exemplary.

it did it did help and i mean imagine because there's all you know three straight games i went to overtime it was already a lot of hockey being played i can understand if those games went longer but i think if you asked the players i think every player would tell you let's let's do it five on five because you don't want the three on three the thing is all the majority of these players now it's become almost widely accepted to do three on three but there's a reason reason why, you know, the NHL doesn't allow it in the playoffs.

There's, you know, it was never meant to be something in the playoffs. They won. There's something about these five-on-five games going to second, third over times. If you were ever watching the bubble, sometimes a fourth, going a lot further than that.

Like, there is something to be said about, you know what, you're just going to let these teams battle it out until somebody absolutely somebody plays hero. And in overtime, in the three-on-three, I don't think it diminishes what a Queen Hugh does, what a Mitch Marner does, right? But I do think, yeah, if you're a team that's on the losing end, you're probably wondering how different it would have been at five-on-five. I won't deny it's exciting. I mean, three-on-three is very exciting to watch, and it does end sooner.

But I want the game to end based on the way the teams play, even when the same way that the game started, basically. So just my, you know, my personal little, little pet peeve, I guess, about this. And I hope, sincerely, that we do not see a gold medal decided by either a three-on-three or a shootout, depending on, you know, whether or not you're correct, David, about how that ends up working. Anyway, we now have the matchup set for the semifinals. We're going to talk about that coming up next on the Lock-on NHL squad. show. All right, gentlemen, we have two more games in the men's tournament coming up. They will be played on February 20th. It'll be Canada versus Finland and the U.S. versus Slovakia.

Let's start with Canada and Finland. David, as a Canadian, what concerns you most in a matchup against, you know, in this matchup here. Yeah, I mean, look, Finland's got good players. I, you know, I was on a squad show saying that this is a team that has star caliber players that can come in and make life very difficult. And look, look at who got the overtime winner for Finland or Terry Lekinen, who, you know, not seen as a star player, but in these moments, he's, we all remember in Colorado and that Stanley Cup run, how big of a role he played in that.

So Finland's got guys that you have to be, you know, you have to account for. And look, Czechic gave Canada a good run for the money. And I think Finland can do the same thing. You know, it's a matchup that I know that Canada is usually done pretty good against them they did at four nations. I just think that when you look at how Finland's talent, you know, stacks against Canada, it's not as, it's not as big as a guy. as maybe some people think. I think there's some players who can play a certain way. Now that

I think Czechic kind of gave teams a bit more of a blueprint of how to play against Canada, right? When Connor McDavid's out there, get two or three guys on them. Every time the puck goes near him, right? Clog the neutral zone. Don't give a lot of room. And so I do think that

that's going to be, it's going to be a tough game. Like, I don't I don't think like, you know, I was very confident what Canada can do against Czechia. I didn't think that game was going to go be that close. I'm not going to have that same idea about Finland. I think Finland is, you know,

they got off to a tough start to the tournament, but after that, they kind of, they found their groove, right? They stomped Italy pretty good. They beat Sweden pretty handedly. And so, like, it is going to be a pretty good matchup for Canada. I think sometimes

people have been overloaded. looking teams and say, all right, get myself ready for an 8 o'clock Sunday gold medal game, I think now you have to have a lot more respect for your opponent. I don't think Canada is disrespecting opponents, but I think us now, myself as a Canadian hockey fan, you can't go into this game thinking Canada is going to come in and walk away with an easy win. Finland just has, I think, outside of Canada and the U.S., the most balanced roster. You have NHL caliber depth on all four lines. You have your star power, your Miko Ranton's, your Sebastian Ahos.

Miro Heiskenin. You have those really solid middle six role players, your Rupéi Hintz types, Satulos Doreen and Anton Lundel, Tolvinen, Eric Holla's having a nice bounce back here. I really like this lineup, and Soros is a good enough goalie, once again, where he, if he's on, despite the season he's having, just like Markstrom, he can make his sweat. No question about that. I think Canada wins. this feels like 3-2 late regulation.

Let's avoid overtime, all right? No, not go to overtime. My blood pressure sake, let's not have another overtime. Three-two late in regulation. David, what's your prediction? Yeah, I think something similar to Zach, maybe a 4-3, 4-2 type of game. Canada, I think there was some, you know,

The Crosby thing, I think, threw some players off and it threw a lot of things off for this team. But I think you saw the looks on all their faces after that checky game. I was like, okay, breathe. The scare is over. Back now kind of back to it. And so I do think that Canada should feel good about their chances again because they still have the quality. But I think it's going to be a lot closer than. And I think it's going to be another close matchup.

Finland will know how to attack Canada now. Yeah, we shall see how it all plays out. How about Team USA? They have a challenge as well in the semi-final round as they go up against the Slovaks. Who do you think has an easier opponent in this case, the U.S. or Canada? I think the U.S. has the easier opponent, but at the same time, the Slovak's have just been the darling of the tournament, right?

The underdog, who expect them to get the buy? Who expected Dahlabor Dvorsky and Simone Nemich and Yerai Slavkovsky to be like the faces of this Olympic tournament? I think the U.S. is going to be tested here. I mean, they are very obviously the better team on paper. and ultimately I do worry that the depth just isn't going to be enough for team Slovakia had overcome. But this is, look, if you can beat Finland, you can play with anybody. And Slovakia has done that. It's going to be a challenge, to say the least,

because Team USA is very obviously at this point the second best team left in the tournament. I think the U.S. haven't hit their stride yet. And I think that if they, now obviously this was, for them to go and be Sweden like they did, I think that's a good statement win for them. But I do think that like Slovakia, eventually the magic eventually runs out on a team like this. Like as good as of a story it's been,

I think they've been playing a little above their head in a way. And look, people are going to come at me if Slovakia finds a way to beat the U.S. that's fine. I just think that there's only, it hasn't been as tough as a road for them. Like, yes, they came away and they beat Finland, you know, in that opener, pretty good.

But, you know, things had to kind of go their way for them to even get into the position, right? They had the goal differential. Even though they lost to Sweden, the gold differential helped them get to, you know, what would be an easier opponent for to get into the, into the semis, right?

So, you know, in a tournament like this, I just think with the way the U.S. defense is, the way they defend, the way that they can throw so many different looks at teams, they don't have to worry too much outside of the top players, right? Of the Slavkovs, the Dvorikis, things like, that's where I think the U.S. has that advantage. But look, I think when a team is on a high like this, you have to find a way to channel as much as you can.

And I just, the only thing about Slovak is I don't know if they can continue that emotional run for this long. We are going to find out two big semifinal games coming up in a couple of days. And it should be very exciting. And of course, we will have it all covered for you here on the NHL squad show. So make sure you stay with us on our next broadcast. If you never miss an episode of your favorite teams locked on NHL. podcast. Well, the Everydayer Club is made for you. You will get add free episodes of your favorite team show plus members only Discord access and more. So head to the link in the show notes or go to

Lockdown Podcast.com slash Everydayer for more information. I'm Gil Martin from Lockdown Islanders. I want to thank everybody for watching and listening today. I want to thank David Morrisudi of Locked On Leaves. Zach Berman of Locked On Devils. Have a great day. everybody and thanks for watching the locked on NHL squad show.