At age 37, Sidney Crosby is still the go-to player for the Pittsburgh Penguins as well as Team Canada. Canada's roster is filled to the brim with talent in their physical prime. Players like Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid are collecting all of the hardware in the NHL over the past few years as they build their individual accolades.
But when push comes to shove for the Penguins, Team Canada, or any team Crosby plays on, he rises to the occasion. That was never clearer until Canada's opening matchup at the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden. The Canadians battled hard against the Swedes, winning in overtime by a score of 4-3. The best player in the game? The one who set up the game-opening and game-winning goal? Yes, that was Captain Canada himself, Sidney Crosby.
The first goal was pure magic from Crosby. The top power play unit for Canada is a goalie's nightmare with Crosby joined by both MacKinnon, McDavid, Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers, and Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Cale Makar. The options for offense are endless out of those five players, but it was Crosby who kicked off the scoring with a play only a superstar like him could pull off.
Playing behind the net, Crosby first makes this play happen by passing the puck off to McDavid who is playing on the right half-wall. Crosby then bumps out in front of the Sweden goalie, opening up his forehand for a return pass from McDavid, which comes right on his tape. Looking at Sid's positioning, he looks down and out with no real options other than to stuff the puck on net. But Crosby has eyes in the back of his head, and throws a perfect behind-the-back pass to MacKinnon for a one-timer and a 1-0 advantage for Canada.
Crosby would once again show the world why he's the smartest hockey player perhaps ever when Canada scored the game-winner. Taking possession of the puck, Crosby moved up ice with speed but careful not to over-accelerate as he scanned the ice for his team mates. Realizing there was little support on the wings and recognizing a streaking Mitch Marner behind him, Crosby dropped a pass behind him with force, giving him enough time to get on sides as Marner collected the drop pass. It was also just enough time to back up the Swedish defense and give Marner ample space to fire off a shot. The play worked, the puck went in, and Canada earned a 4-3 over time victory.
Crosby finished the game as Canada's leading scorer. His three assists paced the team, and he was awarded the First Star of the game.
Crosby also extended his perfect record in international play for Canada. They entered the game 21-0 with Crosby on the roster, and are now 22-0 through the first game at the 4 Nations. They will take on the United States in their next game of the tournament.
More must-reads:
Jakub Lauko has flashed great potential as an NHLer, but now, the former third-round pick and current Boston Bruin is headed home after signing a new deal overseas. Back in 2018, the Boston Bruins used a third round pick on Czech forward Jakub Lauko, and after some promising seasons with the Providence Bruins in the AHL, it appeared as though they had a solid forward of the future on their hands. Since arriving in the NHL however, the 6-foot-1 centre has tallied just 11 goals and 28 points in 139 games played, and after putting up just 5 points in 18 games a season ago, many wondered if he indeed had a future in the National Hockey League. Now, that question has officially been answered, as the 25-year old has signed a deal overseas with HC Dynamite Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga, suggesting that he'll be heading home in 2025/26. While he was never a prolific scorer, Lauko was always seen as a very dynamic bottom-six player at the NHL level, but unfortunately he just hasn't been able to develop and consistently produce at the next level, and it's clear that he has disappointed in the league so far. At 25-years of age, there's plenty of time for Lauko to turn things around and find his way back to the NHL at some stage, but with the opportunity to play on the biggest stage back in his home country in a league that continues to grow in quality and popularity, he may want to spend the rest of his career there, but for now, he's got a great opportunity to do either one.
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has stepped up its game in training camp this summer, and it's giving the coaching staff some pause about Joe Burrow's protection. The Bengals were tied with the New York Giants giving up the 11th most sacks in the league last year (48). Given Burrow's importance to the team and long injury history dating back to his time at LSU, Cincinnati needs to see improvement from the offensive line. Per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, the Bengals' depth on the offensive line is a concern at training camp. During one practice, backups Cody Ford and Devin Cochran were seen getting first-team reps while starting right tackle Amarius Mims was sidelined dealing with a hand injury. But it's not just the backups that are a worry. Cincinnati is expected to give third-round rookie Dylan Fairchild the starting job at left guard. "On top of concern regarding rookie third-round pick Dylan Fairchild, currently the leader in the clubhouse to start at left guard, the cast of question marks lacking experience, floating behind the starting tackles, is startling," Dehner wrote. "If the Bengals had to play Cleveland this Sunday without Mims, they couldn’t tell you who would hold down the starting spot. "Meanwhile, the Bengals’ defensive line consistently produced disruptive reps, and they are a group lacking historically potent pass rushers in their own right...The Bengals just feel notably weak and inexperienced. When the rest of the offense is so stacked with talent, and the history of the performance in front of Burrow being what it is, that’s hard to look past right now." The Bengals decided to spend their money on pass catchers for Burrow. Given the results of the offense last season, it's easy to understand why Cincinnati wants Burrow to deliver the ball to exceptional athletes. The risk is that Burrow won't hold up behind an offensive line that is lacking investment. If injuries pile up during the regular season, it's a concern that will only increase.
In a move that seems faster than a speeding bullet, the new 2025 Superman movie will be available to watch at home just over a month after it hit theaters on July 11. According to multiple outlets, including World of Reel, the new Superman reboot movie will be available for video-on-demand (VOD) purchase starting very soon. In fact, the movie will almost certainly still be in theaters when you can watch it at home. Superman Streaming/VOD release date DC Studios' Superman, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet, will be available for purchase digitally starting on August 15, 2025. This means that just over 30 days after its first theatrical release, the new Superman is coming home. To be clear, this is not the same as streaming on HBO Max, but it does mean you'll be able to pony up a certain amount of money (close to the price of two movie tickets) to watch the movie at home. Purchase of VOD movies generally happens on iTunes, Amazon, and other platforms. DC vs. Marvel VOD releases If this home video release seems quick, it is. For comparison, the last two Marvel superhero movies had nearly two months, not one, between theatrical release and VOD release. Thunderbolts* hit theaters on May 2, and was on VOD on July 1. Meanwhile, Captain America: Brave New World was in theaters on February 14, and on VOD on April 15. Both of those films were deemed, in the eyes of box office pundits, to be failures, while Superman is generally considered to be a success.
The Miami Marlins achieved a franchise first on Sunday. In doing so, they carved out an interesting place in MLB history. With a 7-3 victory over the Yankees, the Marlins swept New York for the first time in a series of three or more games. In doing so, the Marlins became the only team to have a winning record, including the postseason, against the Yankees. The Yankees now have a 22-21 record against the Marlins in the regular season. However, the Marlins won the 2003 World Series against the Yankees in six games, giving the Fish a 25-24 record all-time. The Marlins' victory on Sunday meant more than a unique place in baseball history. That victory evened the Marlins' record at 55-55, the first time they have been at .500 or better since April 15 (8-8). The Marlins are 30-14 in their last 44 games, tying the 2003 championship team for the best stretch (last done from June 18-Aug. 9) in franchise history. The Marlins defied expectations at the trade deadline, holding on to pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. Their only trade involved sending outfielder Jesus Sanchez to Houston, acquiring pitcher Ryan Gusto and a pair of prospects. Expectations were that the Marlins were simply waiting for the offseason to trade those pitchers, as there may be a larger market. Instead, the generally inexperienced Marlins roster is growing and improving by the day. They have clawed back from a 24-40 start to the season to pull themselves into the NL wild-card conversation. Although a lot would need to go right for the Marlins to reach the playoffs this season, they could be a dangerous team over the rest of the season and beyond. The Yankees found that out the hard way.
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!