Matthews dealt with a nagging upper-body injury earlier this season, but after looking himself since early January is a full go for USA at the tournament.

The hot streak comes at at perfect time for Matthews and the United States. The center, who grew up in Arizona, will join Team United States for the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal and Boston from Feb. 12-20 and begin play against Team Finland at Bell Centre on Feb. 13 (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS).

Crosby has plenty of international experience for Canada while Leafs star Matthews is the Americans’ biggest threat for the best-on-best tournament.

Auston Matthews has never been able to represent the United States in best-on-best international hockey competition. It’s a situation many of the game’s top stars find themselves in, but that’s about to change at the 4 Nations Face-Off next month.

Matthews was named captain of the Maple Leafs on Aug. 14, taking over for John Tavares, who passed along the role to star forward. Matthews is the 26th captain in the club's history and the first US-born player to wear the "C' for Toronto.

Matthews was named the captain of Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off, the international best-on-best tournament that will pit the US, Canada, Sweden and Finland against each other in Montreal and Boston from Feb.

Auston Matthews will serve as captain for the United States in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, and his team is the only one involved without a glaring injury question to answer.