One of the NHL's marquee matchups each season is the one between the league's lone Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia natives in Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.

Despite a rough start to their season, there are some things that the Pittsburgh Penguins should be thankful for

The Pittsburgh Penguins captain and Colorado Avalanche alternate captain have gone head-to-head 17 times during the regular season - none yet during the playoffs - and they have played together only once.

Suffice to say, they have not disappointed.

Here is a look at four highlights concerning the history of the two players - and friends - during this marquee matchup

First head-to-head NHL matchup: Oct. 21, 2013

Oct 21, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) handles the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) defends during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Colorado Avalanche won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The first time Crosby and MacKinnon met on an NHL rink was on Oct. 21, 2013 in Pittsburgh. MacKinnon was a rookie then, and there was a lot of hype for the matchup.

Neither player registered a point in a 1-0 win for Colorado that night, and it was the only time the players met that season, as Crosby was injured during their second matchup in April.

Only international link-up: 2015 IIHF World Championship

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOY3lYmJWUI[/embed]

Looking ahead to their link-up for Team Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations tournament in February, Crosby and MacKinnon have been teammates internationally just one time, and that was during the 2015 IIHF World Championship. Canada ended up beating Russia in the championship game, 6-1, and both Crosby and MacKinnon scored in the affair.

In addition, Crosby famously entered the rarified "Triple Gold Club" as its 26th member with this world championship win - because, at that point, he had secured a Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold, and a World Championship gold.

Crosby is the only player to have captained all three of those teams to "gold."

MacKinnon has the slight edge head-to-head

Oct 26, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) take the opening face-off during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Both stars have been difference-makers for their respective teams throughout their careers in head-to-head matchups.

However, MacKinnon has the slight edge in terms of points production.

Heading into Tuesday's tilt, Crosby had nine goals and 15 points in those 17 games for 0.88 points-per-game, while MacKinnon had seven goals and 18 points in the 17 games for 1.06 points-per-game.

It's safe to say that the matchup brings out the best in both players.

There has been only one hat trick between them in head-to-head matchups

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1ABAmRtn68[/embed]

Since MacKinnon broke into the league in 2013, only one hat trick has been scored between the two of them in head-to-head matchups.

And that was by Crosby in 2018.

The Penguins were down in that game, 3-0, and Crosby scored a natural hat trick to bring it back even at 3-3. Despite Pittsburgh ultimately losing that game, 6-3, it was nonetheless impressive to see Crosby will his team back into the fight during that game.

MacKinnon scored an empty-net goal near the end of the game to put Colorado up, 5-3, and pretty much seal the deal.

A Brief History Of The Crosby-MacKinnon Matchup