Sidney Crosby believes Penguins’ ‘desperation’ will serve him well at 4 Nations Face-Off
The magnitude of the 4 Nations Face-Off has become a popular debate topic as the tournament’s inaugural venture inches closer, set to commence Feb. 12 in Montreal. At a four-team event, in the middle of an NHL season, from which multiple players have already withdrawn due to injury, what type of intensity can we expect?
The experience might be different for each participant. At least for Canada captain Sidney Crosby, the 4 Nations carries plenty of weight. During his media availability Friday afternoon, he was asked whether he expected the event to closer resemble an All-Star Game or World Cup of Hockey, tonally, and he leaned toward the latter, suggesting players will find their motivation any time they represent their country, especially if it’s their first time.
Crosby is already a two time Olympic gold medalist, owner of an overtime golden goal at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. He’s as accomplished as any player internationally. But the 4 Nations Face-Off will still feel fresh. It’s the first crack he’s gotten at best-on-best play since leading Canada to a World Cup win in 2016. It’s a potential chance to play alongside his Maritime buddies Brad Marchand and Nathan MacKinnon. But what does it mean when viewed through the lens of his Pittsburgh Penguins?
The Pens last won the Stanley Cup in 2017. They last won a playoff series in 2018. They haven’t competed in a playoff game since 2022, and they currently own the Eastern Conference’s second-worst record. If we’re all being honest with ourselves here: one could argue the 4 Nations represents something more meaningful, competition wise, than what the Penguins’ sinking ship has endured the past few seasons. Crosby acknowledged Friday that his team has had it tough the past couple years, but he rejected the notion that the tournament was a needed mental reset or escape from the struggles in Pittsburgh.
“Regardless of what your situation is with your own club coming in, I think this is something everyone’s really excited for,” Crosby told Daily Faceoff. “And whether you’ve won five in a row or you’re going to pull one together, this [tournament] is something that’s, for a long time, we haven’t been able to do this.
“Personally, I am not specifically [excited] because we’ve been trying to grind ourselves here [in Pittsburgh]. That’s part of it, but if anything, hopefully that urgency and desperation and situation that we’re in will help going into the 4 Nations as far as just being at my best.”
Crosby has been far closer to the solution than the problem on the fledgling Pens this season. his 55 points in 53 games lead the team, and he has five game-winning goals. Despite the fact Pittsburgh’s playoff odds sit at 1.5 percent, he’s never one to quit or even entertain the thought of his team missing the playoffs again. So maybe he’s right: instead of a break, the 4 Nations will keep him sharp, ferociously competitive and ready to fight for his Penguins during the season’s stretch run.
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