Hartnell believes Crosby may have matured: 'He's not whining all the time'

Leave it to Scott Hartnell to fuel the fire.

In advance of Game 1 of an opening-round series between his Columbus Blue Jackets and the Pittsburgh Penguins, the veteran winger was asked whether the opposing team had matured since he last saw them in the playoffs as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.

His response, singling out Sidney Crosby, was a backhanded compliment at best.

"Maybe Sid," Hartnell said, per Sam Werner of the Post-Gazette. "He's not whining all the time."

Hartnell, who was traded by the Flyers to Columbus in 2014, is set to suit up in his first playoff game as a member of the Blue Jackets. He brings 91 postseason appearances to the table, and recorded two goals and three assists in the six-game series victory for Philadelphia over Pittsburgh in 2012.

Clearly, old rivalries die hard.