Pittsburgh will factor prominently into the World Cup, as four Penguins players plus head coach Mike Sullivan, as well as three Pittsburgh area players, will have roles in the tournament.
Before the tournament begins, hockey fans will have the chance to experience the World Cup up close, as CONSOL Energy Center will host an exhibition doubleheader on Sept. 14.
The marquee matchup that day will be the nightcap between rivals Canada and Russia at 7:30 p.m., a contest that will pit Penguins star Sidney Crosby of Canada against the Russians’ Evgeni Malkin.
This will mark the first time that Crosby and Malkin have gone head-to-head since May 2015 when Crosby and Canada beat Malkin’s Russian squad in the gold medal game at the World Championship.