Marie-Philip Poulin, the captain of the Canadian women's hockey team, has been ruled out of the crucial Olympic match against Finland after suffering a lower-body injury. Poulin sustained the injury early in Monday's game, where Canada secured a 5-1 victory over Czechia. As one of the leading scorers in Olympic women's hockey history, her absence is significant for the team's performance leading into this important matchup.

The game against Finland is particularly pivotal as it will determine second place in Group A, impacting the team's path to the quarterfinals. Canada's prior match against the United States, which they lost 5-0, only heightens the stakes of this game. The competition was originally slated for a day earlier but was postponed due to norovirus cases that affected the Finnish team, adding pressure and urgency for both teams as they aim to secure a favorable playoff position.

With Poulin sidelined, Team Canada will need to find a way to compensate for the leadership and scoring prowess she brings to the ice. The outcome of this game will be critical in setting the tone for their upcoming quarterfinal match on Saturday. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Canadian team adapts to this significant challenge without their star player.