Nathan MacKinnon's childhood idol and role model has turned into a training partner and an offseason neighbor back home in the Halifax area of their native Nova Scotia. One of his closest friends, too.

For 20 years, center Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins have been inseparable. The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native revitalized the franchise, won three Stanley Cups, and became one of the greatest players hockey has ever seen.

Marchand, the Hammonds Plains native who became the face of the Bruins’ franchise and was the last remaining member of the 2011 Stanley Cup champions, was dealt to the rival Florida Panthers just minutes before the 4 p.m. (AT) NHL trade deadline on Friday.

The door to the NHL swung open for Nova Scotia’s Jacob Melanson this week. The Seattle Kraken called up the 22-year-old winger on Wednesday, the same day they traded away two key forwards. The Kraken shipped Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand to the Tampa Bay Lightning, opening up two spots up front.

Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon played a key role in helping Team Canada win gold at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament by defeating the United States 3-2. On Tuesday, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 at Ball Arena. Artturi Lehkonen opened the scoring for the Avs after giving them a 1-0 lead 6:36 into the second period.

With MacKinnon signed long-term in Colorado and Crosby signing a two-year, $17.4 million extension with Pittsburgh on Sept. 16, analysts have begun wondering if Crosby, whose Penguins are struggling, might seek a move to chase his fourth Stanley Cup.

Denver, Col. - The Colorado Avalanche play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their third game of the late-season homestand. After two dominant games to start off the six-game homestand, they'll be looking to carry that momentum into Tuesday's matchup.