Canada captain Crosby to play in 4 Nations Face-Off

Captain Canada is in.

Sidney Crosby said he is “good to go” for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament on Monday despite missing the Pittsburgh Penguins’ past two games with injury.

Crosby practised with Team Canada earlier in the day, where he linked up with fellow Cole Harbour, N.S., native Nathan MacKinnon and Vegas Golden Knights power forward Mark Stone on the team’s top line.

The Penguins and Canadian captain said it was a “busy” week including conversations with doctors and coaches trying to get ready for the tournament.

“Today was the first time I skated with a group … everything went well and I feel good from that standpoint. So there’s been a lot of questions, a lot of ‘how are you feeling’ the last five days so I’m excited to get a routine here and get back to normal,” he said.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman had reported that the decision to play in the 4 Nations Face-Off was in Crosby’s hands.

“The Penguins have said that this is his call,” Friedman said on the Saturday Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada. “Obviously, Sidney Crosby being who he is and what he’s done for this franchise, they have said, ‘If you want to play in this, it’s your decision and we will support it.'”

Friedman added that Crosby’s decision rested on whether he believed he would be able to play to the standard he sets for himself.

“He does have a certain expectation for himself and he wants to believe that he can be at or near that level before he commits.”

In 55 games this season, Crosby leads the Penguins with 17 goals and 58 points.

It will be the first time he wears the Maple Leaf on his chest since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.

Canada’s first game is Wednesday against Sweden at Montreal’s Bell Centre. Live coverage throughout the tournament will be available on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.