Crosby And MacKinnon Unite For Canada's First 4 Nations Face-Off Goal – Marchand Follows

Sidney Crosby dished a backhand cross-crease pass to Nathan MacKinnon to put Canada on the board at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The 4 Nations Face-Off begins Wednesday, with the final taking place in Boston on Feb. 20.

It took 56 seconds to see what Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon could do on the same team at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Canada waited 10 years for the Nova Scotia duo to play together again after Crosby and a then-19-year-old MacKinnon took the ice at the 2015 World Championship. Wednesday night was the chance to see their chemistry after many summers of training together.

After Sweden's William Nylander got called for high-sticking MacKinnon in the first game of the tournament, Canada's first power-play unit got to work.

With a helper from Connor McDavid, Crosby and MacKinnon connected.

McDavid and Crosby passed the puck back and forth to the left of Sweden's goalie, Filip Gustavsson. Crosby made quick looks over to MacKinnon.

After McDavid's second pass to Crosby, Canada's captain dished a backhand pass past Gustavsson and a sliding Mattias Ekholm. That was before turning toward MacKinnon.

MacKinnon stood uncovered across the crease and sent the puck past a sprawling Gustavsson into the net, bringing the Canadian fans in Montreal to their feet.

Canada's top power-play unit features three-time Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid and Stanley Cup champions Crosby, MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart and Cale Makar.

Team Canada has three Nova Scotians on the squad: Crosby, MacKinnon and Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand.

Marchand scored Canada's second goal in the 14th minute off a rush with Brayden Point and Seth Jarvis.

"A Boston Bruin electrifies the crowd here in Montreal," said Sportsnet play-by-play announcer Chris Cuthbert.

Crosby added two more assists and was the game's first star in Canada's 4-3 overtime win over Sweden.

The 4 Nations Face-Off lasts until the final in Boston on Feb. 20.

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