Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been selected as the U.S. captain for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.

Crosby also wore the "C" at the 2014 Sochi Games and 2016 World Cup. Canada is 45-5-0 in games when he has worn its sweater overall.

Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Sidney Crosby will once again wear the "C" for Team Canada, this time at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

After weeks of “no news is good news” regarding the 4 Nations Face-Off rosters, the dominoes (and players) have unfortunately started to fall. Goaltender

If it were up to some Maple Leafs fans, Auston Matthews would also be opting out of the 4 Nations Face-Off, writes Michael Traikos.

Team Canada has lost an important presence on the back end for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has withdrawn from the world tournament "to tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season.

Pietrangelo is the first player to withdraw from the tournament, which also features the United States, Sweden and Finland. Sweden is expected to make some lineup changes, though, with goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark, and forward William Karlsson, all currently injured.

You could consider it a blow to Canada's roster, but the team is talent-rich on the blue line and has options to replace Pietrangelo. We have a list of players in mind to join a Canada defense that includes Cale Makar, Josh Morrissey, Colton Parayko, Travis Sanheim, Shea Theodore, and Devon Toews.

Crosby has plenty of international experience for Canada while Leafs star Matthews is the Americans’ biggest threat for the best-on-best tournament.

Not only did Crosby play in Utah — he also scored two points, including the overtime winner. His totals are now up to two goals and three points in two games against the NHL’s newest franchise. Crosby didn’t get the chance to see much of the city, but he liked the arena.

The Golden Knights players who have committed to the 4 Nations Face-Off in February are excited to go, but the event does carry some risks.

Marcus Pettersson and Erik Karlsson scored in regulation as Pittsburgh snapped a three-game losing streak. Alex Nedeljkovic made 27 saves.