Not too long ago, it looked like the Penguins were going to miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season. They were 10 points out of a playoff spot with games played on March 4. They traded forward Jake Guenzel to the Carolina Hurricanes on March 7, one day before the 2024 NHL trade deadline.
But now they're on a 10-game point streak (7-0-3) dating back to March 24. Crosby, their captain, leads the NHL in scoring with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) over that span. He leads the Penguins in goals (41), assists (48) and points (89) this season.
“I don't think there's been a different Sid in the last 10 games,” forward Reilly Smith said. “He was the best player in our team all season. We need to help him a little more.
Smith smiled.
“He can't be on the ice for every goal.”
Crosby helped Pittsburgh take a 1-0 lead on Thursday, banking the puck off the back of the net to elude Red Wings center Dylan Larkin. He sent a pass from below the goal line to the right wing. Rust fired a shot from a sharp angle, and forward Drew O'Connor scored on the rebound at 2:40 of the first period.
Crosby then put Pittsburgh up 3-2, driving to the left post and deflecting a pass from Rust at 7:58 of the second. It was his 1,590th point, tying him with Phil Esposito for 10th in NHL history.
Finally, Crosby overtook Red Wings forward JD Comber on the left side of the net. He backhanded a pass to the high slot from low in the left circle to Karlsson, who fired a slap shot to score the winning goal. It marked two milestones and a huge success.
Crosby is the 14th player and seventh fastest in NHL history to reach 1,000 assists. He needed 1,269 games. Only Wayne Gretzky (645), Mario Lemieux (856), Paul Coffey (1,105), Adam Oates (1,174), Ron Francis (1,235) and Marcel Dionne (1,259) were needed.
Next on the all-time scoring list is Joe Sakich (1,641). After that? Lemieux (1,723).
“It's cold,” Crosby said. “I couldn't have told you that. I didn't pay close attention to it. But to be in that company with all the players you mentioned, yeah, that means a lot. I grew up watching those players you named. Obviously, a big fan of sports and history, so yes, I'm proud to be a part of it.
