ATLANTIC

N.S. premier confident local hero Sidney Crosby will hoist Stanley Cup

THE CANADIAN PRESS Published Thursday, June 9, 2016 2:37PM ADT Last Updated Thursday, June 9, 2016 2:37PM ADT

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and center Evgeni Malkin (71) walk to the ice before Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals between the San Jose Sharks and the Penguins in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, June 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's premier is expressing confidence the province's most famous hockey star will win a second Stanley Cup.

Stephen McNeil says although he's a Montreal Canadiens fan, he like many Nova Scotians is switching allegiances to Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins, who have a 3-1 series lead over the San Jose Sharks, can win their fourth NHL title later tonight.

McNeil says as a hockey fan he takes pride in the fact that players like Crosby and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon are from Nova Scotia.

He says Crosby's success has kept many locals interested, even though no Canadian teams made it into the playoffs this season.

A win would see the Penguins hoist the cup for the first time ever on home ice.