Crosby clinches record-setting 20th point-per-game season
It's official: No player in the history of the NHL has been more consistently productive than Sidney Crosby.
Crosby clinched his 20th point-per-game season with the Penguins' opening goal in a 7-3 loss to the Sabres here in Buffalo this evening, surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most point-per-game seasons in NHL history.
The record-breaking goal was a shot from the slot set up by Rickard Rakell and Matt Grzelcyk. It was Crosby's 80th point, guaranteeing that he can finish no worse than a point-per-game this season after having previously missed two games:
THE GOAL THAT GOT SIDNEY CROSBY HIS RECORD BREAKING 20th POINT PER-GAME SEASON 🚨 pic.twitter.com/lBVeFFbxHp
In true Crosby fashion, he couldn't even really appreciate it. Even though the Penguins are far from being in any kind of playoff push at this point, his drive to win is still there. And it's hard to be too happy about anything -- even breaking a major Gretzky record -- after losing 7-3 to the Sabres
"It's hard right now, after a loss like that," Crosby said after his face showed a flash of a grimace.
And also in true Crosby fashion, the first thing he was able to reflect on when speaking about the achievement was his teammates.
"I just think that there's a lot of guys who have contributed to that," he said. "I'm thankful for the guys I've played with who have contributed to it. It's a special milestone."
Crosby's goal came 11:11 into the first period. The Penguins were already down 2-0 after allowing goal on the Sabres' first two shots. The game unraveled in the second period when the Sabres scored five goals, but the bleeding stopped there. Rasmus Dahlin kicked one into his own net in the third that got credited to Blake Lizotte, and Kevin Hayes added another later in the third.
Even as this game spiraled, Crosby didn't stop pushing. Even as this season has spiraled, it's been the same story -- Crosby's work ethic and effort in games doesn't change. To continue to produce at a point-per-game season even in a year like this one is especially impressive.
"Sid is just a great pro, he's a great person," Mike Sullivan said. "When you're in circumstances like this, you find out a lot about people. It exemplifies his leadership."
Though it's difficult now for Crosby to appreciate what he's done, something he is able to appreciate is that his father Troy, mother Trina, and girlfriend Kathy were able to make the trip to Buffalo and be in attendance for the record.
"It's one of those things where they sacrificed a lot and supported you all these years," he said. "It's nice to have different moments with them. I've been fortunate. There have been a lot of different games and memories and events and things like that. It's nice to have them here tonight."
Crosby now has sole possession of first place on list of a truly impressive group of players:
1. Sidney Crosby, 20 2. Wayne Gretzky, 19 3. Gordie Howe, 17 4. Evgeni Malkin, 15 5. Mario Lemieux, 15 6. Mark Messier, 15 7. Marcel Dionne, 15 8. Joe Sakic, 15 9. Ron Francis, 15
That's extremely elite company. When Howe set the record at 17 seasons in 1969, it sat unrivaled for nearly three decades, until Gretzky beat it in 1997 and then extended it the following season, before falling short of a point-per-game in his 20th and final season. Gretzky's record, too, sat untouched for close to three decades before Crosby came along, dominating from his rookie year and now continuing to consistently produce at 37 years old.
"It's remarkable," Sullivan said. "He's in such rare company, where he is right now. Every milestone that he crosses, it puts him in more elite company than he's already in. When you think in terms of 20 seasons in a row, with such consistency, it's an amazing accomplishment. It doesn't surprise me, because I know how hard he works, how hard he trains, and he controls everything in his power to set himself and ultimately the team up for success. Just his passion for the game, his willingness to put the work in to continue to be at his best, it's remarkable."
It'd be surprising if Crosby's 20 seasons with a point-per-game stands as the record for too long. At the level he's still continuing to play, he'll likely continue to pad his lead on the record next season and beyond.
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
11:38 pm - 03.27.2025Buffalo, N.Y.Crosby clinches record-setting 20th point-per-game season
It's official: No player in the history of the NHL has been more consistently productive than Sidney Crosby.
Crosby clinched his 20th point-per-game season with the Penguins' opening goal in a 7-3 loss to the Sabres here in Buffalo this evening, surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most point-per-game seasons in NHL history.
The record-breaking goal was a shot from the slot set up by Rickard Rakell and Matt Grzelcyk. It was Crosby's 80th point, guaranteeing that he can finish no worse than a point-per-game this season after having previously missed two games:
In true Crosby fashion, he couldn't even really appreciate it. Even though the Penguins are far from being in any kind of playoff push at this point, his drive to win is still there. And it's hard to be too happy about anything -- even breaking a major Gretzky record -- after losing 7-3 to the Sabres
"It's hard right now, after a loss like that," Crosby said after his face showed a flash of a grimace.
And also in true Crosby fashion, the first thing he was able to reflect on when speaking about the achievement was his teammates.
"I just think that there's a lot of guys who have contributed to that," he said. "I'm thankful for the guys I've played with who have contributed to it. It's a special milestone."
Crosby's goal came 11:11 into the first period. The Penguins were already down 2-0 after allowing goal on the Sabres' first two shots. The game unraveled in the second period when the Sabres scored five goals, but the bleeding stopped there. Rasmus Dahlin kicked one into his own net in the third that got credited to Blake Lizotte, and Kevin Hayes added another later in the third.
Even as this game spiraled, Crosby didn't stop pushing. Even as this season has spiraled, it's been the same story -- Crosby's work ethic and effort in games doesn't change. To continue to produce at a point-per-game season even in a year like this one is especially impressive.
"Sid is just a great pro, he's a great person," Mike Sullivan said. "When you're in circumstances like this, you find out a lot about people. It exemplifies his leadership."
Though it's difficult now for Crosby to appreciate what he's done, something he is able to appreciate is that his father Troy, mother Trina, and girlfriend Kathy were able to make the trip to Buffalo and be in attendance for the record.
"It's one of those things where they sacrificed a lot and supported you all these years," he said. "It's nice to have different moments with them. I've been fortunate. There have been a lot of different games and memories and events and things like that. It's nice to have them here tonight."
Crosby now has sole possession of first place on list of a truly impressive group of players:
1. Sidney Crosby, 20
2. Wayne Gretzky, 19
3. Gordie Howe, 17
4. Evgeni Malkin, 15
5. Mario Lemieux, 15
6. Mark Messier, 15
7. Marcel Dionne, 15
8. Joe Sakic, 15
9. Ron Francis, 15
That's extremely elite company. When Howe set the record at 17 seasons in 1969, it sat unrivaled for nearly three decades, until Gretzky beat it in 1997 and then extended it the following season, before falling short of a point-per-game in his 20th and final season. Gretzky's record, too, sat untouched for close to three decades before Crosby came along, dominating from his rookie year and now continuing to consistently produce at 37 years old.
"It's remarkable," Sullivan said. "He's in such rare company, where he is right now. Every milestone that he crosses, it puts him in more elite company than he's already in. When you think in terms of 20 seasons in a row, with such consistency, it's an amazing accomplishment. It doesn't surprise me, because I know how hard he works, how hard he trains, and he controls everything in his power to set himself and ultimately the team up for success. Just his passion for the game, his willingness to put the work in to continue to be at his best, it's remarkable."
It'd be surprising if Crosby's 20 seasons with a point-per-game stands as the record for too long. At the level he's still continuing to play, he'll likely continue to pad his lead on the record next season and beyond.
Want to participate in our comments?
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Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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