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Sidney Crosby on the Brink of Achieving NHL History with Unmatched Record
Photo credit: Edit from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Sidney Crosby is just two points away from becoming the first ever player to hit 20 consecutive seasons with an average of a point per game or better.
When Sidney Crosby returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston, with another win as Captain Canada to his credit, he was battered, exhausted, and well aware that the playoff hopes of the Penguins were thin.
The coaching staff decided to give him a break, but Crosby wasn't having it. When reporters mentioned the visible fatigue, he shrugged. Yes, he was tired, but he was aware of the real fatigue that would only happen if he stopped playing.
Crosby is playing the best hockey of the year so far
In typical fashion, Crosby has been relentless since the tournament. Even though he had missed two games before the event and had played injured, so injured that he did not take one shot during the first game against Sweden, he has been playing his strongest hockey of the season.
Not that he had played subpar previously, but in comparison to his own sky-high standards, it had been an underwhelming year.
Since returning, he's leading the league with 20 points in 15 games, with at least one in 13. His play has peaked in games of late, with six goals and 12 points in his past seven. His 51 even-strength points on the season pace the league.
Now, Crosby is on the verge of an unprecedented milestone: 20 consecutive NHL seasons with a point a game or better average. Nobody has ever done it. Not Gretzky, not Ovechkin, not Lemieux, not Jagr, no one!
"Crosby, however, is about to produce his 20th straight season in the NHL with an average of one point per game or better. No one has ever done that. Two points at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday will do the trick, and if it doesn't happen then, it will soon enough."
- Josh Yohe
- Josh Yohe
Some might think that his linemates feel a duty not to mess up an open opportunity from him, but Rickard Rakell maintains there's no cause for concern.
"Here's the thing," Rakell said. "We don't have to get nervous or to adjust anything. He's so good right now, and he's so good in general, that we just know it's going to happen one way or the other. It's just a matter of time. The guy is incredible."
- Rickard Rakell
- Rickard Rakell
All eyes will be on Crosby and the Penguins tonight when they play Tampa, and the NHL record books better get themselves ready for what could be a historic night.
| POLL | ||
MARS 25 | 164 ANSWERS Sidney Crosby on the Brink of Achieving NHL History with Unmatched Record Is Sidney Crosby the best player to ever play in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 102 | 62.2 % |
| No | 62 | 37.8 % |
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