Sidney Crosby Creates History
Crosby Breaks Wayne Gretzky's Record for Most Point Per Game Seasons
What else can you say about Sidney Crosby? Crosby has done it all on the ice, from winning Stanley Cups to winning Gold Medals to scoring big-time goals. He will be a Hockey Hall of Famer when his career is over.
You will see his name at the top of the record books, passing Wayne Gretzky for the most points-per-game seasons. Gretzky averaged a point per game for 19 seasons.
With his first-period goal against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, Crosby secured his 20th point-per-game season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He broke a tie with Gretzky. Both of whom were sitting at 19.
“It’s hard right now after a loss like that,” Crosby told NHL.com as he was asked to reflect on the milestone after a loss. “I just think that there’s a lot of guys who’ve contributed to that so I’m thankful for the guys that I’ve played with that contributed to it. It’s a special milestone but obviously [you] play to win.”
While everyone was focused on what Alex Ovechkin was doing as he hunted down Gretzky’s goal mark of 894, Ovechkin is still six goals away from breaking that record. Crosby was quietly breaking the Gretzky record for most seasons averaging a point per game.
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In addition, Crosby clinched his 14th season of at least 80 points since he first entered the league back during the 2005-06 season. He is three behind Greztky for that record.
Remember, Crosby missed two games this season due to injury, and he could only finish with 80 games played. Even if he played all 82 games, Crosby was breaking this record.
Not to mention, if Crosby had not missed time earlier in his career due to concussions and other injuries, he might already have tied with Wayne for most 80-point seasons.
Considering how bad the Penguins are this season, Crosby's performance is remarkable. There is a reason why people want him to leave Pittsburgh and chase another Stanley Cup. What he can do when the lights are the brightest is remarkable.
“It's remarkable,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said of Crosby passing Gretzky to NHL.com “He's in such a rare company where he is right now with every milestone that that he crosses. It just puts him in more elite company than he's already in. So I just think when you think in terms of 20 seasons in a row with such consistency, it's an amazing accomplishment.”
However, Crosby is loyal to the Penguins. His idols are Steve Yzerman and Mario Lemieux. Both players played their entire careers with one franchise. So it would be hard for Crosby to leave. He controls the power after signing a new two-year extension before the season.
The contract carries a full no-movement clause, and he would have to waive to get traded to another team. Unless things really go south, that is probably not happening. Ss much as fans want it to happen. It is not happening.
Crosby's performance is remarkable for his age. However, the Penguins coach is unsurprised that he is still playing at a high level.
“It doesn't surprise me because I know how hard he works and I know how hard he trains, and he controls everything within his power to set himself up for success and ultimately the team,” Sullivan said. “I've said it on so many occasions, just his passion for the game and his willingness to put the work in to, to continue to be at his best. It's just remarkable."
Sidney Crosby will go down as one of the best players to ever play the game. He will only keep adding to his legacy the longer he continues. If the desire and drive are still there, expect Crosby to continue playing at a high level and creating even more history.
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