Sidney Crosby, who has been sidelined from the Pittsburgh Penguins' last two games due to an apparent left arm injury, has expressed intentions to participate for Team Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. Reports from Moneyline indicate that Crosby is eager to take part in the tournament, highlighting his commitment to representing his country.

TSN's Darren Dreger has noted that Crosby is en route to Montreal to join Team Canada, where he is expected to skate on Monday as part of the team's ongoing evaluation process. With the rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off needing to be finalized by 5 p.m. ET on Monday, the time is critical for Crosby as he aims for a timely recovery. Team Canada will commence the tournament by facing Sweden on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

Crosby sustained the injury during a game against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night, when his arm was caught awkwardly between two opposing players. Following the incident, he briefly left the ice but returned to complete the game, participating in overtime and the subsequent shootout. However, he was not available for the Penguins during their two games over the weekend, missing both a victory against the New York Rangers and a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. This marked the first time Crosby has missed games for the Penguins since the 2022 postseason. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan classified Crosby's injury as an 'upper-body' concern and stated that the team would assess his condition day by day. Sullivan noted Crosby's improvement following a long skate on Saturday and expressed optimism about his recovery. As the team navigates the absence of both Crosby and fellow star center Evgeni Malkin, who is out on a week-to-week basis, the depth of the Penguins has been put to the test. Despite the challenges, the Penguins have communicated to Crosby that the decision to play in the tournament ultimately lies with him, a sentiment noted by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Crosby, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, last represented Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and was named Team Canada's captain for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Should Crosby be unable to participate, alternate captain Connor McDavid would be poised to lead the team, with Mark Scheifele potentially taking Crosby's roster spot. Nevertheless, Team Canada remains hopeful for the captain's return ahead of their tournament opener.