After missing Pittsburgh's final two games before the NHL break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sidney Crosby took part in Canada's first practice Monday and declared himself good to go. When it comes to a rare chance to play in an international tournament with the best players in the world,

Pittsburgh Penguins star and Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby assuaged concerns that he would miss the beginning of the new 4 Nations Face-Off, saying he will play Wednesday against Sweden. Crosby hurt his left arm last week and sat out Pittsburgh's final two games before the NHL's break for the four-team international tournament.

McDavid did play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but on an under-23 North American squad rather than for Team Canada. He captained a high-flying collection of the game’s preeminent talents like Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel and the late Johnny Gaudreau.

The Team Canada captain's status for the tournament has not been determined as he works through an upper-body injury.

“Sidney Crosby is traveling to Montreal and hopes to play for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off…” Kaplan reported. “Crosby…is desperate to play in the tournament, sources told ESPN. The Penguins will leave the decision up to Crosby whether or not he participates, and he will take as much time as he can to decide if he's ready, sources told ESPN.”

Fans are finally going to be treated to some best-on-best hockey this week, putting together some dream combinations when the 4 Nations Face-Off begins on Wednesday.