Sidney Crosby Ties Mario Lemieux’s Record in Penguins’ Crucial Win
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers delivered a vintage showdown on Monday night, with the Pens securing a 7-3 victory in a thrilling matchup before the holiday break. The game was a showcase of talent and grit, but the night belonged to Sidney Crosby, who tied Mario Lemieux’s franchise record for assists with 1,033. Crosby Reflects […]
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers delivered a vintage showdown on Monday night, with the Pens securing a 7-3 victory in a thrilling matchup before the holiday break. The game was a showcase of talent and grit, but the night belonged to Sidney Crosby, who tied Mario Lemieux’s franchise record for assists with 1,033.
Crosby Reflects on the Milestone
Crosby’s milestone came in 1,308 games, while Lemieux achieved the feat in just 915 games. Reflecting on the achievement, Crosby expressed his gratitude:
“I dreamed of playing in the NHL, and I am grateful for that, for all these years. But I don’t think about where I am on the list. To be with Mario, though, that’s pretty cool. I never would have expected that.”
Crosby humbly acknowledged the difference in their career paths, saying,
“I’ve played a lot of games. He played a lot less than I did. It’s what happens when you play long enough.”
Team Effort Leads to Victory
While Crosby’s performance was the highlight, the Penguins’ team effort stood out.
- Rickard Rakell: 1 goal, 2 assists
- Michael Bunting: 2 goals
- Bryan Rust: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Erik Karlsson and Evgeni Malkin: 2 assists each
- Tristan Jarry: 24 saves
Penguins’ head coach Mike Sullivan praised his team’s mindset, emphasizing the importance of attitude and effort:
“When it’s not going the right way, part of the solution is always to simplify.”
Rakell echoed this sentiment, noting the significance of beating a division rival like the Flyers:
“We know that we’re going to play them a lot down the stretch. We’re just feeling good about ourselves going into the break.”
Crosby Seals the Game
Crosby capped his night with a clutch empty-net goal, pushing the Penguins to a commanding 6-3 lead. The team added a late powerplay goal for the final score of 7-3.
Penguins on the Rise
After a challenging start to the season, the Penguins have gained momentum, improving to 16-15-5. The team is now just one point shy of the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.
What’s Next?
With the holiday break providing much-needed rest, the Penguins will return to action on Saturday to face the New York Islanders on the road. The focus will be on continuing their climb in the standings and solidifying their position before the New Year.
As Crosby ties yet another record and the Penguins rally toward a playoff push, fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the team’s trajectory. Crosby’s legacy continues to grow, with every game showcasing why he remains one of the greatest players in NHL history. Following a difficult start to the season, Pittsburgh has vastly improved over the last several weeks. The squad is now just a single point out of the final wildcard berth in the Eastern Conference. After a couple of days of rest and relaxation, the Penguins are back in action against the New York Islanders on the road on Saturday as they look to continue banking points before the New Year.
