Sidney Crosby Approaches Milestone
Sidney Crosby, the current captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, recently indicated that he has not been in touch with Mario Lemieux, the team’s legendary former player and owner, as he approaches another significant franchise milestone. Crosby is on the brink of surpassing Lemieux’s record for the most regular-season points in Penguins history, needing only seven more to achieve this feat. He already holds the combined record for both regular and postseason points for the franchise.
Remarkable Performance Against the Flyers
Crosby’s remarkable performance against the Philadelphia Flyers—highlighted by his recent two goals on Monday night—continues to propel him toward this achievement. With those goals, he has now recorded an impressive 59 goals and 137 points against the Flyers, making him the all-time leading scorer against the team in both categories across 92 matchups. The Penguins triumphed over the Flyers with a decisive 5-1 victory.
Dominance in Rivalry
Currently boasting 18 goals this season, Crosby dominates his matchups with Philadelphia, contributing significantly to the outcome of these games. Despite the Flyers promoting this game as a classic Keystone Rivalry, the competitive edge has historically leaned heavily in Crosby’s favor, with his teams winning three Stanley Cup titles (in 2009, 2016, and 2017), while the Flyers have secured the trophy merely twice, in the mid-1970s.
Crosby commented on the rivalry, acknowledging its historical significance: “It’s always been a rivalry, long before I played here. You just try to prepare accordingly.”
He demonstrated this preparation by scoring his 60th career opening goal on the road and also adding a power-play goal that helped extend the Penguins’ lead.
Team Morale and Playoff Prospects
Before this win, the Penguins had suffered through a difficult stretch of losses, making this victory essential for team morale and a response to a prior defeat of 7-2 against Toronto. Currently tied with the Flyers at 31 points, both teams are facing questions about their playoff prospects.
Crosby’s pursuit of Lemieux’s points record adds intrigue to their season, even amidst challenging times for the Penguins and Flyers. Teammate Bryan Rust, who contributed with a goal and two assists in the latest game, praised Crosby’s relentless drive:
“It shows you what kind of exceptional player and person that he is, to never be satisfied with anything.”
Fan Excitement
Fans and teammates alike remain captivated by Crosby’s ongoing chase of this record, promoting excitement as the season unfolds. With his jersey seen frequently in the arena, it’s clear that Crosby continues to be not just a key player but also a major draw for Penguins fans as he nears the legendary milestones set by his mentor, Lemieux.
