Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
Sidney Crosby shares true thoughts on Alex Ovechkin's record-breaking goal
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby revealed what he and new NHL leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin discussed as the latter approached the milestone.
Alex Ovechkin has officially taken the throne as the leading goal scorer in the history of the National Hockey League. He scored goal No. 895 on Sunday against the New York Islanders, officially passing Wayne Gretzky.
Ovechkin had just tied Gretzky in total goals in Washington's previous outing against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who released a congratulatory video message for Ovechkin, revealed that he and the Capitals captain often communicate with one another and that it's a special thing what has taken place.
We text a little bit. So obviously, when he tied it, I reached out, and again today. That's a pretty special moment. Then playing at the same time, you think of how long hockey history is, how long the game's been around - and to be playing at a time when gets a record like that is special. I think we're all fortunate to maybe not be in the game, but to be around while he's doing it.
While it may have seemed that the two young phenom stars were bitter on-ice foes during their heated postseason battles, maturity has taken hold over the years.
In a 2023 interview, Ovechkin acknowledged that he and Crosby are good friends with one another and communicate regularly.
He still enjoy play hockey, I'm still enjoying playing hockey. I'm pretty sure when me and him is going to be retired, we're going to have a couple of beers together and talk about the whole thing that happened in the past 15, 16 years.
We're good friends. We can call to each other. If he has some milestones coming up and he reach it - I call him, shoot him a text. First couple years we kind of was different relationship. We was young. But, now we've matured.
We're good friends. We can call to each other. If he has some milestones coming up and he reach it - I call him, shoot him a text. First couple years we kind of was different relationship. We was young. But, now we've matured.
Both players became the face of the NHL after the year-long lockout that wiped out the entire 2004-05 season and have combined for 4 Stanley Cup wins and multiple personal accolades and awards.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 6 | 188 ANSWERS Sidney Crosby shares true thoughts on Alex Ovechkin's record-breaking goal Who has had the better NHL career? | ||
| Sidney Crosby | 168 | 89.4 % |
| Alex Ovechkin | 20 | 10.6 % |
| List of polls | ||