Crosby confirms participation in 4 Nations Face-Off

Sidney Crosby, captain of Team Canada, confirmed he will participate in the 4 Nations Face-Off despite recently missing two games for the Pittsburgh Penguins due to a left arm injury. After intense practice sessions and a decision left to him regarding his health, Crosby expressed his eagerness to play alongside teammates like Nathan MacKinnon and Brad Marchand. The Penguins had a contingency plan in place with Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele on standby as a potential replacement if Crosby could not go. Crosby has a storied history with Team Canada, having previously won gold at the Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey. The tournament marks his first competition for Canada since 2017, and he aims to make a significant contribution despite his injury concerns. The finalized rosters for the tournament were due by Monday evening, with the opening match against Sweden scheduled for Wednesday.