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Crosby's current pace keeps 2,000 points alive, but Penguins roster is putting it at risk
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Paul Pidutti's Daily Faceoff projection gave Sidney Crosby 152 more points, and that turned a legacy talker into a live Penguins roster test.
Crosby is on injured reserve on March 18, but his 27-32-59 line in 46 games still screams top-line driver.
This is not a farewell lap.
Pittsburgh enters Wednesday at 34-18-15, good for 83 points and second in the Metropolitan.
That gives every Crosby game real weight.
That is the angle that matters for the Penguins.
The 2,000 chase is now tied to roster support, not just Crosby's hands.
The Penguins have scored 81 goals from players new to the team this season.
That sounds deep, but Crosby still needs one true finishing winger beside him.
You can feel it in the post below, Crosby still bends coverage and opens seams with one touch.
That is why the tweet hits. It treats Crosby like a present-tense problem for the league.
McDavid is still the cleaner bet.
He entered Wednesday with 115 points in 69 games and 1,197 for his career.
Sidney Crosby Forces A Pittsburgh Penguins Decision
Fans can enjoy the chase and still admit the roster ask is getting heavy.
Crosby's path is harder because Pittsburgh asks him to carry matchup duty, creation, and tempo at once.
Edmonton can win loose. Pittsburgh usually has to grind.
That is why every top-six move matters now.
A finisher on Crosby's flank could turn empty possession into points before the season closes.
A finisher on Crosby's flank could turn empty possession into points before the season closes.
The power play is the other hinge.
More clean entries and quick looks off Crosby's wall can keep the race alive.
The hard truth is simple.
Crosby needs health, 75-point seasons, and a roster that stops wasting his best passes.
Daily Faceoff gave him a real shot for a reason.
Pittsburgh should read that as a challenge to build better around him.
If Kyle Dubas gives Crosby one more real weapon, 2,000 stays alive.
If not, this chase gets squeezed by roster limits before history can catch up.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Penguins' 81 newcomer goals prove Dan Muse system is already working
Penguins' 81 newcomer goals prove Dan Muse system is already working
| POLL | ||
MARS 18|83 ANSWERS Crosby's current pace keeps 2,000 points alive, but Penguins roster is putting it at risk Should the Penguins add another true top-six finisher to protect Sidney Crosby's 2,000-point chase? | ||
| Yes | 72 | 86.7 % |
| No | 11 | 13.3 % |
| List of polls | ||