Winter Olympics: Nathan MacKinnon's late goal finishes Canada's comeback vs. Finland to send them to gold-medal game

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Nathan MacKinnon's power play goal with 35.2 seconds to play completed Canada's comeback against Finland to send them to Sunday's Olympic gold-medal game with a 3-2 victory.

Niko Mikkola's high-sticking penalty put Canada on the power play with 2:35 left in the third period. Canada set up shop in Finland's zone and fired away at goaltender Juuse Saros. They found a breakthrough with four seconds to go on the man-advantage via MacKinnon's one-timer.

Canada will now face the winner of Friday's other semifinal between the United States and Slovakia.

Overcoming an early deficit

Canada needed to come-from-behind after trailing 2-0 early in the second period following goals by Mikko Rantanen and Erik Haula. As the tournament favorites faced the two-goal deficit and time became of utmost importance, pressure was applied to the Finns.

The star-studded lineup led by Connor McDavid, who was serving as captain for an injured Sidney Crosby, found themselves inside Finland's zone often, peppering Saros with shots. The breakthrough would finally come late in the second period as Sam Reinhart, stationed in front of Saros, deflected a Cale Makar shot to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Assisting on that goal as McDavid, who picked up his 12th career Olympic point — all in this tournament — which saw him pass Finnish greats Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu for the most among players in Olympics featuring NHL players.

Finland's attempts at suppressing Canada's vaunted offense slowly weakened. With under 10 minutes to play in the third period, Shea Theodore's rocket from the point would even the score at two and give Canada life.

Saros and Finland could only do so much to stave off the offensive threats. The Finns manage to slow Canada for most of the first two periods, but Canada sustained offensive pressure and found space through the neutral zone to create chance after chance.

Over the final 40 minutes Canada outshot Finland 31-9.

Canada will play for its third straight gold medal in Olympics featuring NHL players and fourth overall. They previously won in 2002 (Salt Lake City), 2010 (Vancovuer) and 2014 (Sochi).

No word on Sidney Crosby's availability

The Canada captain did not play Friday after being ruled out due to a lower-body injury during their quarterfinal victory over Czechia.

Crosby did not take part in an optional practice on Thursday, but skated during a session closed to the media on Friday morning. Hockey Canada did not reveal specifics of what the he is dealing with or whether he'd be available for the rest of the tournament.

The 38-year-old, two-time Olympic gold medalist left in the second period after being hit along the boards by Czechia's Martin Nečas and Radko Gudas. It was the third big hit Crosby took in the period after Gudas and Ondřej Palát connected on checks.

Crosby recovered and took a stride following the Gudas and Nečas hit and was seen shaking his right leg before exiting the ice. After being attended to on Canada's bench, Crosby limped down the tunnel to the locker room. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game early in the third period.

It wasn't until an hour before the Finland game that Crosby was ruled out, which means it might be another late decision ahead of XXX on whether he will be available to play.