MILAN, Italy — Canada believes it will get its captain back in time for the games that matter most.

Marie-Philip Poulin is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury she sustained Monday and had to sit in the Santagiulia Arena stands and watch her team get blown out 5-0 by Team USA in preliminary Olympic action Tuesday.

But head coach Troy Ryan says he is “definitely optimistic” Poulin will return to the tournament.

“Not sure if she’ll be back for the Finland game (Thursday), but that hasn’t been ruled out or in,” Ryan said. “Medical just said they were very optimistic based on the last assessment they made, so we expect her back at some point.”

Quarterfinal action begins Friday. The medal games take place on Feb. 19.

Poulin was checked by Kristyna Kaltounkova midway through the opening period of Canada’s 5-1 win over Czechia and skated off, favouring her right knee.

She tried to return to the ice while Kaltounkova served an illegal-hit penalty but soon called it a night.

Poulin, a five-time Olympian, already has three gold medals and one silver.

“What we heard is that she’s going to be assessed daily and that it’s a possibility for her to come back,” goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens said. 

“I hope she puts all her time right now to recover, rest, get better — not only to compete with this team but just to be able to compete as an athlete. And then I know she’s going to have an impact. Regardless of when she’s going to come back, she’s somebody that will always cheer us on and be the heart of this team. That won’t change.”

Olympic rules permit Ryan to dress 13 forwards should he so choose.

Would he consider dressing the injured Poulin simply to sit on the bench and help guide her teammates?

“It’s always a possible scenario, because you don’t have to sit anybody out to let her do that,” Ryan said. “What’s best for her is probably not to be in gear and sitting down the entire time. While we’re here, she can be getting treatment.

“Obviously, as a captain, if that’s something that she felt was necessary or would benefit her or her team, then it’s something we would consider.”