Look out your window, cross your fingers, you just might see him.

The Anointed One. The Next One. The Soft Spoken One. The I've-never-played-in-Vancouver-in-my-life One.

Sidney Crosby's exploration of the West has reached its final stop. An expedition, worthy of comparisons to Lewis and Clark, arrived in Vancouver and GM Place Friday after stops in Calgary and Edmonton.

Saturday is set to be the first time Crosby plays hockey in the Lower Mainland, only because nearly three years ago he passed on a chance to play in the Top Prospects game and then later that summer passed on a chance to take part in a draft evaluation camp.

"It was tough," Crosby said Friday after being asked about his perceived snub of Vancouver. "Especially the second time, for the evaluation camp. The first time I got hurt and I couldn't go and there were things that were said.

"And then it was like 'here we go again' with me not being able to go to the evaluation camp. It wasn't easy. But unfortunately that's the way it worked out.

"That happens. It just happens that both times it was here."

Crosby will likely hear cheers Saturday from his fans in GM Place, even though there are some in this city who were upset about his decision three years ago. But his appeal, which has nothing to do with team colours, has grown immensely since then.

Crosby, especially in Canada, has become iconic in just three years in the NHL.

"I prepare myself to play a road game," Crosby said of the response he expects. "If anything comes good out of it then I appreciate it. It's a bonus."

The Pens basically had the day off Friday and Crosby said he was considering some sight seeing.

"In Edmonton and Calgary, it was back-to-back games and I didn't really leave my hotel," Crosby said. "But here we have a little bit of a day off so maybe I'll get a chance (to walk around). We'll see how I feel."

It's been two years since Crosby played the Canucks. The last game was in Pittsburgh, and it was a game in which Crosby took runs at several different Canuck players. At times, it looked like he had something going with every Vancouver player.

"I'm a very passionate player," Crosby said. "I don't think I've really changed a whole lot with the way I play. I probably try to control my emotions a little bit more.

"I don't think I'm going to change too much. Competing is a big part of what allows you to have success and I don't think I'm going to stop competing.

"I don't remember that game but maybe that game I lost my focus a bit. But for me, I'm not going to stop competing."

As far as the game goes, Crosby can bank on seeing a lot of Canucks' defenceman Willie Mitchell, and Ryan Kesler who has become the Canucks shut down centre.

Crosby said he likes what he's seen from the Canucks this year.

"They're a team that's pretty complete," Crosby said. "They have some great offensive players and they're great defensively. And obviously, when you have a goalie like (Roberto) Luongo you have a chance to win every night.

"The first thing that comes to mind is that they are a complete team."

The Pens have been struggling this year but have won their past three games.

"I think we're playing well," Crosby said.

Crosby had three assists against Edmonton Wednesday but didn't have any points against the Flames on Thursday.

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Click here for original story from the Vancouver Province.

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