Sidney Crosby, the iconic captain and center of the Pittsburgh Penguins, reached a new milestone in his illustrious NHL career on Tuesday night. In a game against the New York Islanders, Crosby entered the ice with 1,669 career points, tying him with Wayne Gretzky for fourth place on the list of leading scorers with a single franchise. By the end of the night, Crosby had surpassed “The Great One” with a crucial goal late in the first period, assisted by Conor Timmins and Ryan Graves.
Crosby’s achievement is a testament to his longevity, consistency, and exceptional skill, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in NHL history.
“The legend continues 💪 Sidney Crosby surpasses Wayne Gretzky for the fourth-most points with a single franchise in NHL history with 1,670,” the Penguins posted on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating the future Hockey Hall of Famer’s latest accomplishment.
The game: A milestone amid defeat
Crosby’s goal gave the Penguins a 2-0 lead, following an early goal by Joona Koppanen. However, despite Crosby’s individual achievement, the Penguins were unable to secure the win.
After a scoreless second period, the Islanders scored four consecutive goals, securing a 4-2 victory in Pittsburgh. The night, which began with the euphoria of Crosby’s milestone, ended with the disappointment of a home defeat.
A legendary career: Crosby’s Rise in NHL History
Selected as the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, Sidney Crosby has built an extraordinary career over nearly two decades. At 37 years old, Crosby continues to dominate, amassing 24 goals and 50 assists for a total of 74 points in 68 games during the 2024-25 season.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion now has his sights set on climbing further up the all-time scoring list with a single franchise. With 1,670 points, Crosby is just 53 points behind another Penguins legend, Mario Lemieux, who sits in third place. While reaching Lemieux’s mark this season is unlikely, Crosby could achieve this milestone in the 2025-26 season, which would be his 21st year in the NHL.
The all-time single-franchise scoring leaders
- Gordie Howe – 1,809 points (Detroit Red Wings)
- Steve Yzerman – 1,775 points (Detroit Red Wings)
- Mario Lemieux – 1,723 points (Pittsburgh Penguins)
- Sidney Crosby – 1,670 points (Pittsburgh Penguins)
What’s next for Sidney Crosby?
Crosby will have another opportunity to add to his impressive total on Friday, when the Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Each game represents a chance for Crosby to continue building his legacy and inching closer to the NHL’s historic leaders.
As Crosby’s quest to surpass Mario Lemieux unfolds, Penguins fans and hockey enthusiasts alike will be watching closely, eager to witness the next chapter in the storied career of one of the game’s all-time greats.