MacKinnon sends Canada to gold-medal game after sinking Finns with game winner in dying seconds

Canada's gold-medal dream in men's hockey at the Milan Cortina Olympics remains on course.

Nathan MacKinnon scored on a power play with 35.2 seconds left in the third period as the Canadians battled back from a 2-0 deficit to advance to the title game with a 3-2 victory over Finland on Friday.

Sam Reinhart and Shea Theodore had the other goals for Canada, which will face either the United States or Slovakia in Sunday's podium decider to cap the NHL's return to the Games. Jordan Binnington made 15 saves.

Connor McDavid picked up two assists to set the record for points by an NHL player at a single Olympics with 13.

Mikko Rantanen and Erik Haula replied for Finland. Juuse Saros stopped 36 shots. The Finns will take on the loser of U.S.-Slovakia in Friday's late semifinal for bronze on Saturday.

MacKinnon's winner came late in regulation with the Canadians up a man and pouring it on off a McDavid setup that stood after a Finnish challenge for offside.

Canada was minus captain Sidney Crosby after he suffered a lower-body injury in the second period of Wednesday's thrilling 4-3 overtime victory. The 38-year-old's right leg bent in an awkward direction as he braced for a hit from defenceman Radko Gudas near centre ice.

McDavid wore the `C' against Finland in Crosby's absence.

Down 2-1 to start the third period, Canada got a big stop from Binnington on Anton Lundell. Saros stopped a Marner one-timer at the other end before denying Brad Marchand on a rush chance.

Nathan MacKinnon's last-minute goal sends Canada to the Olympic gold-medal game

The team in red kept coming and Theodore finally tied it with another one-time blast at 10:34 on a play that saw Haula knock Marchand into Saros moments earlier to set off wild celebrations