The Pittsburgh Penguins’ season has been anything but smooth, but momentum is finally building. Sitting fifth in the Metropolitan Division, the Penguins are coming off a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday and have now won three straight games.
At the center of it all, once again, is Sidney Crosby. And the 38-year-old superstar is quietly putting together another historic campaign.
Sidney Crosby Closing In on Another NHL Milestone
Crosby continues to defy age and expectations. He’s fresh off a three-point night against Detroit. He scored two goals and added an assist in the overtime win. Through 39 games this season, Crosby has 23 goals and 43 points, rivaling young players.
At his current pace, Crosby is tracking toward a 48-goal, 90-point season, numbers that would put him in rare company. NHL analyst Danny Shirey recently highlighted just how remarkable that pace is. “Sidney Crosby is pacing for 48 goals this season,” Shirey said. “That would be the highest single-season mark for a player 38 years of age or older in NHL history.”
Crosby reached a recent NHL milestone on Tuesday with his 232nd career go-ahead goal in a 5-1 win over the Hurricanes. That tally moved him into a tie with Teemu Selanne for fourth place on the NHL’s all-time list.
For a player already considered one of the greatest ever to play the game, Crosby’s ability to remain elite in his late 30s continues to amaze. More importantly, his play is a major reason why Pittsburgh remains firmly in the playoff conversation now.
Breaking Down the Win Over Detroit
Crosby struck twice early. He first scored on the power play at 4:08 and got another one after intercepting a pass to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. Detroit responded late in the first when James van Riemsdyk scored in a power-play goal to make it 2-1.
Andrew Copp tied the game early in the second period after a puck bounced out front following a misplay, giving Detroit life. Blake Lizotte restored the Penguins’ lead in the third at 15:51, but Alex DeBrincat answered on a power play couple of minutes later to force overtime.
The extra frame didn’t last long as Kris Letang buried a one-timer off a slick backhand feed from Crosby to seal the win.
“I thought we were on our toes. Obviously, got one there on the power play. And then 5-on-5, I thought, throughout the night, we were good. It was good for us to stay in it and find a way to win that one.” Crosby said.
Now, Crosby and the Penguins will turn their attention right back to Detroit. As they’re set to face the Red Wings again on Friday, looking to build on the momentum from their overtime win.
