Sure, it’s still just early November. Yet for a team that looked lifeless for long stretches over the last couple of years, it’s a start.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are just months away, and hockey fans across North America are already excited to witness the next showdown between Team USA and Team C

Sidney Crosby scored twice, and Bryan Rust delivered the go-ahead goal midway through the third period as the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Washington Capitals 5-3.

Both stars remain productive. Ovechkin has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 13 games this season, while Crosby has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) through 14 games for a Penguins team sitting third in the Eastern Conference.

With injuries suddenly taking a toll on the Penguins' lineup, Kindel was promoted to the prime role. He played his first game with Crosby and Rust on Thursday, a 5-3 win against the Washington Capitals in which he tabbed his first two career assists to go with the five goals he's already scored.

Auston Matthews’ teammate Philippe Myers delivered a sincere message on Sidney Crosby after tempers flared during Toronto Maple Leafs-Pittsburgh Penguins game.

Perhaps that’s why the topic was on the minds of multiple readers when this week’s call for mailbag questions went out. There were also queries on all kinds of different Olympic themes, plus Patrik Laine’s future, the slumping Tampa Bay Lightning, Sidney Crosby trade watch, the NHL’s next big prankster and much more.

NHL insiders are already debating between Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, which player will have a bigger impact for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.