TORONTO — The problem with being Sidney Crosby is that he can never be ordinary. Others will not let him, and he will not stand for it.

After Crosby got off to the slowest start in his N.H.L. career from October to December last season, his status as the league’s top star seemed in doubt, and he was among the doubters.

After a period of self-reflection, he realized he had to get back to playing instinctive hockey. When the Pittsburgh Penguins fired Coach Mike Johnston and replaced him with Mike Sullivan in December, Crosby turned his game around in time to win his second Stanley Cup with the team.

Crosby was again under pressure on Thursday night, leading Canada against Team Europe in the second game of the World Cup of Hockey finals at the Air Canada Centre.