Franchise records in Pittsburgh have always carried weight beyond numbers. They reflect trust, time, and the players chosen to define generations. One era quietly handed its standard to another, changing the shape of team history.
The shift connects two players who carried the Penguins in different ways, Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux. One built the record through overwhelming production. The other reached it through consistency and longevity.
Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby’s Games Played to Reach the Penguins’ Point Record
For decades, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ franchise points record was held by Mario Lemieux. He reached 1,723 points in just 915 games, setting a pace that stood apart. His 690 goals and 1,033 assists came with a speed rarely seen in league history. He scored 85 goals and 114 assists in 1988-89 for a historic 199 points. Apart from this, he has also had seasons in which he scored 168, 161, and 160 points.
Before Lemieux, the record was often shared among players like Rick Kehoe and Jean Pronovost. Each held the lead for a defined period, marking smaller eras. Lemieux changed that by holding the top spot for decades.
That long-standing mark eventually fell to Sidney Crosby. Crosby reached 1,724 points in his 1,387th game, showing a different path to the same peak. His total included 645 goals and 1,079 assists spread across 21 seasons.
The milestone came at PPG Paints Arena against the Montreal Canadiens. Crosby tied the record early in the game with a goal and moved past it later on the power play with an assist on Rickard Rakell’s goal. The moment slowed the building as Lemieux’s message played.
Lemieux’s message points back to their shared season in 2005. “Hey, Sid, Congratulations on passing me with 1,724 points,” Lemieux said. “I knew when we played together in 2005 that you were going to be a very special player and accomplish a lot of great things in your career.”
Crosby also spoke about the respect he holds for Lemieux and their friendship.
“I have a ton of respect for Mario… it means a lot… that friendship, and what him and his family mean to me, is a lot,” Crosby said.
So, the new record is a continuation rather than a takeover.
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Today, Crosby leads the Pittsburgh Penguins in points, assists, and games played. Lemieux still stands first in franchise goals, preserving his scoring legacy. Crosby needs 45 more goals to tie Lemieux’s record. Their careers illustrate two distinct paths to defining the same organization.
One legend, Lemieux, reached the summit with unmatched speed. The other, Crosby, stayed long enough to push it higher. Together, they outline the full arc of greatness in Penguins history.
