Marie-Philip Poulin, the captain of Canada’s women’s hockey team, is making her return to the lineup for the crucial Olympic quarterfinal match against Germany. She had missed the previous two games due to a right knee injury sustained in a match against Czechia, where she was checked into the boards. The news was confirmed by the International Ice Hockey Federation just before the game, although it remains uncertain how much ice time she will receive in this match.

Poulin’s absence was felt during Canada’s two prior games, which included a significant 5-0 loss to the United States, where her leadership and scoring capability were sorely missed. Canada bounced back with a solid 5-0 win against Finland, showcasing their depth, yet Poulin’s return is expected to bolster their chances significantly in the knockout stage of the tournament. At 33, Poulin holds the record for the most active goals in Olympic women’s hockey and is just one goal away from equaling the historical record of 18, held by her former teammate Hayley Wickenheiser.

Her performance in this quarterfinal is pivotal as Canada aims for gold. Poulin's experience and talent in high-stakes situations have consistently proven crucial, especially since she has scored seven goals in four Olympic finals, making her the only player, male or female, to achieve such a feat. As Canada prepares to face Germany, all eyes will be on Poulin to see how she integrates back into the team and contributes to their Olympic journey.