Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain and long-time superstar, has etched his name further into the franchise’s history books by tying the record of Mario Lemieux’s career assists on Monday. Crosby’s milestone assist came late in the first period on a power play goal by Philip Tomasino in a 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers, bringing his total to 1,033, matching the legendary Lemieux. Crosby had three assists in the game, all coming in the opening period.
A Legacy of Scoring
Crosby’s achievement is a testament to his exceptional playmaking abilities and longevity in the NHL. Since being drafted first overall in 2005, he has been the cornerstone of the Penguins’ offense, consistently setting up his teammates for success. His vision on the ice and ability to thread passes through tight spaces have made him one of the most prolific assistmen in NHL history. Crosby’s 1,635 career points place him 10th all-time, and he’s just six points behind Joe Sakic for ninth on the list. He’s 88 points behind fellow Penguin Lemieux.
600th Career Goal Milestone
Adding to his impressive list of accomplishments, Crosby recently scored his 600th career goal in November 2024. This feat made him the 21st player in NHL history to reach this milestone and only the seventh to do so while playing for a single franchise. The goal came in a game against the Utah team, showcasing Crosby’s offensive prowess even at 37. His 602 goals rank him 20th all-time, just six behind Dino Ciccarelli and eight behind Bobby Hull. He ranks second amongst active players, trailing only Alex Ovechkin.
Crosby’s Impact on the Penguins
Crosby’s dual achievement of tying the assists record and reaching 600 goals underscores his importance to the Penguins organization. He joins an elite group of players who have managed to be both prolific scorers and exceptional playmakers throughout their careers. His consistency and leadership have been crucial to the Penguins’ success over the past two decades.
Looking Ahead
As Crosby continues to climb the NHL’s all-time scoring list, he remains a key figure for the Penguins. His recent team-friendly contract extension, signed in November, ensures that he will continue to don the black and gold through the 2026-27 season, giving him ample opportunity to surpass Lemieux’s assists record and potentially reach even more significant milestones.
Penguins Struggles and Future Outlook
The Pittsburgh Penguins, despite Sidney Crosby’s individual brilliance, have faced significant challenges in the 2024-25 season. The team’s performance has fallen short of expectations, leading to speculation about their future direction and potential moves at the trade deadline.
Current Season Struggles
The Penguins have struggled to find consistency this season, placing their record near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. Key issues have included inconsistent goaltending, a lack of secondary scoring, and injuries to key players. These factors have contributed to the team’s difficulty stringing together wins and maintaining a playoff-caliber pace.
Stanley Cup Odds
The Penguins’ odds of winning the Stanley Cup this season are considerably low, given their current standing. Most sportsbooks and analysts give them less than a 1% chance of hoisting the Cup, reflecting their on-ice struggles and the competitive nature of the Eastern Conference. According to Online Pokies Casino and Sportsbook, they are currently +8000 to win the Eastern Conference title and +15,000 to win the 2025 Stanley Cup. They are 16-15-5 heading into the Christmas break, and their 37 points have them sitting 9th in the conference.
Trade Deadline Outlook
For the first time in many years, the Penguins find themselves in a position where they might be sellers at the trade deadline. This unusual situation results from their poor performance and the need to potentially retool for the future. General Manager Ron Hextall faces tough decisions regarding veteran players with expiring contracts who could be attractive to contending teams.
Looking to the Future
The possibility of being sellers at the deadline marks a significant shift in the Penguins’ strategy. They have been perennial buyers for over a decade, always looking to bolster their roster for deep playoff runs. This change could signal the beginning of a rebuild or retooling phase for the organization as it seems to balance competing in the short term with preparing for long-term success.
As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Penguins’ front office to see how they navigate this unfamiliar territory and what moves they might make to shape the franchise’s future.
