Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, achieved a notable personal milestone on Thursday night, but the accomplishment was overshadowed by his team’s heavy 7-3 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres. Crosby, who broke an NHL record for point-per-game consistency previously held with Wayne Gretzky, seemed more focused on his team’s struggles than his achievement.
After the game, Crosby expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the significance of the milestone but emphasizing that the loss made it feel less meaningful. “It’s tough when you play to win,” Crosby said, reflecting on the Penguins’ ongoing battle to make the playoffs. “Obviously, it’s a special milestone, but in a game like that, it’s not really the same.”
Despite the rough outcome, Crosby gave his team a moment to cheer when he scored 8:49 into the first period, reducing the Sabres’ lead to 2-1. Crosby’s goal came off a set-up by Rickard Rakell, as Crosby used his right skate to redirect the puck to his stick and then fired it past the Sabres’ goalie, hitting the inside of the right post. With his parents watching from the stands, it was a brief bright spot in an otherwise tough night for the Penguins.
Sidney Crosby scored his 26th goal and recorded his 80th point of the season in his 72nd game, despite missing two games due to injury. With just eight games remaining in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season, Crosby is guaranteed to finish his 20th NHL season with an average of at least one point per game.
Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain, surpassed the record set by Wayne Gretzky, who averaged at least a point per game in every season except for his final one in 1998-99.
Teammate Bryan Rust praised Crosby, calling him a “tremendous, special player and person,” highlighting that while many players can be good for a short period, Crosby’s longevity in maintaining such high performance is extraordinary.
Coach Mike Sullivan emphasized Crosby’s remarkable competitiveness, noting his passion for the game and dedication to constantly improving. Sullivan pointed out that Crosby has stepped up his game, contributing nine goals and 22 points in his last 17 games, as he works to help the Penguins make a push for the playoffs.
Mike Sullivan, coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, highlighted Sidney Crosby’s leadership, especially in challenging circumstances. He believes such moments reveal a lot about a person, and Crosby’s ability to lead through adversity exemplifies this trait.
Crosby, drafted by Pittsburgh as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, has since led the team to three Stanley Cup victories. He’s a two-time NHL regular-season MVP and has won the league’s points race twice.
When reflecting on his consistency, Crosby emphasized the importance of continuously improving and adapting, even after two decades in the league. He credited much of his success to the great players he’s had the privilege of playing with over the years.
Crosby’s achievement comes as Washington’s Alex Ovechkin is closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record, sitting just five goals behind.
It wasn’t surprising that Crosby scored against Buffalo, a team he’s had great success against over his career, leading all active players with 86 points (30 goals, 56 assists) in 61 games against the Sabres.
Despite the loss, Sidney Crosby found some solace in having his parents at the game to witness yet another significant achievement in his storied career. Crosby, who once scored the gold-medal-winning goal for Canada in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, expressed his gratitude for their unwavering support.
“They’ve attended so many games over the years, made countless sacrifices, and been incredibly supportive,” Crosby said. “Having them here for a moment like this means a lot to me. It’s the least I could do.”