The other players would have to adjust to him. Of players who have at least points, Crosby is the active points per game leader with 1. In nearly fewer games, Crosby trails current active leading scorer Alex Ovechkin by just 15 points. Crosby has points in only games. With another points, which at the current pace is about four more seasons, Crosby will surpass Phil Esposito for 10th all-time.
Unfortunately, like his owner and briefly his teammate Mario Lemieux, Crosby missed nearly two full seasons in his prime. While back issues got Lemieux, concussions, and a soft tissue neck injury, which masqueraded as a concussion derailed Crosby. With those lost seasons, Crosby would be approaching points. Over the last 14 years, which encapsulates the salary cap era, only three players have won multiple Art Ross trophies. Or just toughness and vision.
He has all of those things. He is unique among current players, but perhaps not so unique among the all-time greats. The statistical comparison to Gretzky is an unfair fight. Instead, hockey will remember Crosby as the player who could and would do it all. Crosby will likely reach the pantheon of all-time scorers in an era that actively works against the possibility. Neal seems to work best with guys who carry the puck and get it to him to unleash his cannon-like shot.
I think Sid can handle that. Watch out. One of the reasons why Crosby can be counted on to return to form is his work ethic. Sid works extremely hard on all facets of the game. Being away from the sport he loves seems to have made him appreciate it even more. Crosby has a powerful stride for a smaller player. His ability to zip around the ice helps get him extra chances, whether they are around the net or by sliding in to open areas.
Despite the fact that guys like the Sedins or Henrik Zetterberg deserve to be mentioned, the main "rival" for best player in the world is often assigned to Alexander Ovechkin. While Ovechkin still remains dangerous, his game has not been the same. Perhaps it is because of a team-based approach. Before we get into the numbers, let's briefly revisit what's been a remarkable ride for No.
Crosby burst onto the scene with points in his rookie season. He accomplished all of this by the game mark of his career. Well-documented concussion issues kept him sidelined for the better part of the three seasons to follow, but in , Sid had a remarkable rise back to the top.
He captured both his second career Hart and Art Ross that season after breaking the point mark for the fifth time. With Crosby at the helm, the Penguins became the first team in 19 years to win back-to-back Stanley Cups , , with the captain collecting the Conn Smythe Trophy each time. In , Crosby hit the point mark once again - 14 years after doing it for the first time. Despite being in the latter half of his career, something tells us that "Sid the Kid" isn't done quite yet. Let's take a moment to appreciate how incredible Crosby's first 1, games have been relative to his peers still playing today.
It's clear Crosby's body of work through 1, career games is superior. He also trumps every player on that list in both Stanley Cups and most of them in major individual awards, too. It's worth mentioning players like Patrick Kane games played and Crosby's longtime teammate Evgeni Malkin games played are on track to be near the top of that list once they reach 1, games. Malkin projects to reach around 1, points, which would still put him back of Crosby.
Crosby then finds Jake Guentzel for a back door tap-in. The outdoor game was certainly an eventful one. Halfway through the contest, Crosby enters the zone with the Flyers having four players back and the Penguins with three forwards in the offensive zone.
Crosby had to get creative to buy some time and even things out. To do that, he pump fakes and then looks a defender off with Jake Guentzel cutting to the net. After buying about three seconds, Crosby finds Justin Schultz entering the zone for a point shot and an eventual goal. Crosby set the tone from the opening faceoff.
He had a step on them and split them for a high-danger scoring chance. Note how tight of a window that Crosby had to put this puck in between the skate and stick of Ellis and come away with it. Crosby drew a penalty and the Penguins scored on the ensuing powerplay. If he would have buried this shot, this would have been my pick for the eventual Crosby statue.
With the exception of Jaromir Jagr , I have never seen a player that is harder to knock off the puck than Crosby. His center of gravity and lower body strength are elite. He consistently wins puck battles and makes defenders look foolish along on the goalline. From a defensive standpoint, Kings forward Anze Kopitar is no slouch. Kopitar maintains a good gap control throughout this clip and eventually knocks the puck loose with his skates.
As soon as Crosby catches this pass from Bryan Rust , he captures the attention of all of the Ranger skaters that were on the ice. Crosby eludes Tony DeAngelo three times and changes directions four times on this play. Jake Guentzel did a terrific job of finding some open ice as Crosby found him for a quick scoring chance. The play of the night was Crosby working the goalline and leaving Ryan Donato in Zach Aston-Reese did a nice job of curling up and creating a better passing lane for Crosby.
Matt Dumba was backpedaling and gave Crosby way too much time and space. Mats Zuccarello did not account for Simon. Jason Zucker was caught puck watching.
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