Crosby, McDavid complimentary of each other after 1st meeting

The reigning Stanley Cup champions prevailed in Tuesday's headliner of Sidney Crosby versus Connor McDavid, in an entertaining game from start to finish.

The hype was front-and-center from the get go, as the two captains were head-to-head for the opening faceoff. But it was McDavid who stole the early spotlight, buzzing past Pittsburgh's defense to create two assists in the first and adding a third in the second frame.

While the two generational phenoms are showstopping talents on the ice, neither McDavid or Crosby exude the same sort of excitement in front of a microphone, but nonetheless, the two recognized their first matchup was a unique opportunity.

"It was a good chance for me to measure myself against the best player in the world," McDavid said postgame. "Going head-to-head with him was a good test."

McDavid admitted he was excited to take on a childhood idol.

"There definitely was a little bit of a level of excitement to play against a guy like him, someone that I grew up watching," McDavid said. "It definitely wasn't hard to get up for this one."

Crosby, on the other hand, faced the unenviable task of containing McDavid's speed, something that wasn't very enjoyable early on.

As he settled in, however, Crosby said anticipation is the key.

"If you're even with him, you're in big trouble, so you'd better make sure you're a step ahead," Crosby told Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

Crosby took the two points, but McDavid captured the statistical advantage in Round 1, and unfortunately, we'll have to wait until March 2 to see what the sequel holds.