Canada captain Sidney Crosby, right, hoists the trophy after defeating the United States following an overtime period of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston.

MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby have developed a tight bond, which made winning the 4 Nations Face-Off title together with Canada even more special. They just bring out the best in each other, whether it's as teammates internationally or as rivals in the NHL.

Nathan MacKinnon’s childhood idol and role model has turned into a training partner and an offseason neighbor back home in the Halifax area of their native Nova Scotia. One of his closest friends, too.

Not enough wins. Not much hope for this season. But still a lot to discuss. Refreshing Penguins notes are the lifeblood of Pittsburgh hockey! First shot, first goal! • Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists in Sunday’s 6-5 overtime loss against visiting Toronto.

Nathan MacKinnon’s childhood idol and role model has turned into a training partner and an offseason neighbor back home in the Halifax area of their native Nova Scotia. One of his closest friends, too.

Nathan MacKinnon’s childhood idol and role model has turned into a training partner and an offseason neighbor back home in the Halifax area of their native Nova Scotia. One of his closest friends, too.

Nathan MacKinnon’s childhood idol and role model has turned into a training partner and an offseason neighbor back home in the Halifax area of their native Nova Scotia. One of his closest friends, too.

Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby teamed up to help Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off last month, and now the good friends from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, will be back battling each other when the Colorado Avalanche meet the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night in Denver.

Nearly 22 years after the Pittsburgh Penguins made goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury the first pick in the 2003 NHL Draft and eight years after the sides parted company following their 2017 Stanley Cup championship,