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,

The game against the Flyers was the Penguins’ last before the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off (Feb. 12-20), where Crosby is set to captain Canada. He leads the Penguins with 58 points (17 goals, 41 assists) in 55 games.

“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.”

Crosby missed his first game in over two years Friday but also appeared to take a step toward playing in the 4 Nations next week.

Team Canada will have Pittsburgh Penguins superstar captain Sidney Crosby when they open the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is on the ice at practice after leaving their most recent game with an upper-body injury

NEW YORK -- Sidney Crosby will miss his first game of the season because of an upper-body injury and will not play for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers on Friday (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, NHLN, MSG, SNP, SNO, SNE, TVAS).

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.