Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin was the first player on the ice for practice Friday and skated on the top line as she works her way back from a leg injury ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final matchup against Germany at Milano Cortina 2026.

Poulin confirmed to TSN’s Claire Hanna after practice that she tweaked her knee against Czechia. She added that while it feels better than it did on Monday, it still hurts.

She is considered a game-time decision against Germany tomorrow.

“One day at a time, happy to be where I’m at today,” said Poulin. “Skated yesterday, skated today, obviously it’s very special. I think it puts things in perspective because when you get back on that ice with that team it’s really special.”

Marie-Philip Poulin says she tweaked her knee vs Czechia & while it feels better than Monday, it still hurts.

When asked if she thought her #Olympics were over:
⁰“You don’t want to think that way. I’d be lying if I didn’t think that…I think with the people I have around me… pic.twitter.com/Tk9Lb18Afo

— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) February 13, 2026

Poulin has missed the past two games for Canada after a big hit knocked her out of Monday’s match against Czechia.

Head coach Troy Ryan said after Thursday’s 5-0 win over Finland that the team was optimistic that Poulin would be able to return to the ice for the quarter-final.

“All I’ve heard was she was positive and felt good and medical was pleased with it,” Ryan said. “I didn’t go. That’s a situation you don’t need coaches. It’s more medical and for her to get a feel for things.”

With Poulin in the mix, the lines got shuffled as the captain returned to her place on the top line with Sarah Fillier and Daryl Watts as her wingers.

Canada switching up their top line with Marie-Philip Poulin back in the mix:

Watts MPP Fillier
Clark Turnbull Stacey
Maltais Nurse Jenner
Gosling O’Neill Gardiner
Spooner

LaRoque Fast
Shelton Ambrose
Thompson Jacques
Tabin

Desbiens
Maschmeyer
Osborne #Olympics #Canada… pic.twitter.com/VgG4C7U089

— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) February 13, 2026

Poulin took a big hit from Czech forward Kristyna Kaltounkova along the boards midway through the first period on Monday. Poulin was in visible pain after the hit and skated off to the bench. Kaltounkova was penalized on the play.

Poulin would return shortly afterwards on the second power-play unit but immediately skated off after touching the puck. She departed for the Canadian dressing room before later returning to the bench late in the period. She tested her right leg during a break in play but she was not on the bench to start the second and was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Canada went on to beat the Czechs 5-1. Poulin was in the press box in Tuesday’s 5-0 loss to the United States and didn’t suit up in the final preliminary round game against Finland.

Poulin, 33, has one assist in two games with five shots on goal at this year’s Olympics.

The Beauceville, Que., native is skating in her fifth Olympic Games, winning gold medals in 2010, 2014 and 2022 and silver in 2018.