Crosby finds Malkin's underhanded faceoff tactics strangely familiar

Sidney Crosby would like a word with Evgeni Malkin.

The Penguins superstars faced off against one another Wednesday in Pittsburgh in World Cup exhibition action, as Canada beat Russia 3-2 in overtime to close pre-tournament play.

A smiling Crosby talked about splitting 10 faceoffs with Malkin, a few months after Crosby's World Cup teammate and San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture called out No. 87 for illegal tactics on the draw.

"Check the replay on a couple," Crosby jokingly said, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Bill West. "(Malkin) was sideways on a couple. I don't know who he learned that from.

"He was really good there tonight," Crosby added seriously. "A lot of them, he was beating me a lot on his forehand. I have to look at that and make sure I improve."

Both centers finished at 47 percent on the draw Wednesday.

Canada opens its World Cup on Saturday against the Czech Republic. Russia's tournament begins Sunday against Finland.