World Cup of Hockey: Canada's coaches set on Sidney Crosby line
Bruins teammates Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron offer 'speed, hockey sense'
Mike Babcock says he's close to finalizing Canada's lineup for its first World Cup of Hockey game Saturday night against the Czech Republic.
There's plenty of fluidity in the lineup, but Babcock seems to have found linemates for captain Sidney Crosby in Boston Bruins forwards Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. The coaching staff decided on that line in advance, and it clicked well in exhibition play.
"He likes to play with guys with speed and guys with hockey sense," Babcock said. "The other thing is he wants to be on offence, so if you play him with one really intelligent defensive player as well like Bergy, it helps him out."
Crosby said before the tournament he'd love to play with Marchand. He knows Bergeron because the two were linemates on the way to gold at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
"I think he's just good in every area," Crosby said of Bergeron. "He's reliable at both ends of the ice, he's got really good hockey sense. I think his hockey sense is probably what sticks out the most, playing in all situations.
"Defensively he's pretty tough to go up against and offensively he can hurt you. He's really an all-around player."