Crosby will face Matthews and McDavid in the coming week. Pittsburgh visits Toronto at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN4, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV) before playing at Edmonton on Tuesday.
Crosby, a three-time Stanley Cup champion (2009, 2016, 2017), who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2016 and 2017, said he does not include himself in the "best player" debate, preferring to leave that to others.
"[My motivation] is always to be my best," Crosby said. "That's allowed me to be in the conversation of the guys who are considered to be the best. I think that's the way I've always looked at it. I've always wanted to get the best out of myself. Wherever that puts me, that's where its put me."
Crosby won the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy each in 2006-07 and 2013-14, the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's top goal scorer twice (2009-10, 2016-17), the Ted Lindsay Award three times (2006-07, 2012-13, 2013-14), and the Mark Messier Leadership Award two times (2006-07, 2009-10).
"I was fortunately able to win individual awards but that's not why I was trying to get the most out of myself," Crosby said. "I think that's just how I want to play. I know I have a certain amount of time to play the game and I want to be the best I can at it."