“Sidney Crosby is my savior”, said every Penguins fan ever. The statement transcends exaggeration since the Penguins’ following genuinely invests emotion into that line. Fresh into his 20th NHL season and achieving one of hockey’s greatest milestones, Sidney Crosby just surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s record by scoring his 80th point of the season. The tides weren’t in favor of the Penguins as they took a tough 7-3 loss against the Buffalo Sabres, but the Pittsburgh Penguins captain thrived even in defeat.
It’s impressive to see him acknowledge the challenges and push himself to be better, but how? In Crosby’s words in a post-match interview with the NHL, “Consistency and work ethic and passion … it’s a responsibility that you have to each other. I always try to keep that in mind. But that doesn’t mean you’re not going to have bad days or days where you’re not at your best, but you try not to let them bunch together.” Just another tried and tested formula for success that is a testament to his relentless dedication.
Out of everything said, one line caught the attention of Michelle Crechiolo, the penguins reporter. As posted on his X handle–“Favorite line from Sid’s post-practice interview, which he said with a grin: “I think everyone makes fun of my old stuff or my gear, but I do evolve.”
Favorite line from Sid’s post-practice interview, which he said with a grin: “I think everyone makes fun of my old stuff or my gear, but I do evolve.”
Crosby discussed his recent milestone, Malkin, the kids (McGroarty and Koivunen) and more pic.twitter.com/3UmLNiS3bF
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 29, 2025
A lesser known quirk of Crosby is his old-school gear, which has been a running joke in the locker room for years now. That includes his worn-out stick, old skates, and other equipment that seem frozen in time! Crosby made a playful remark about his gear, and if we were to read too much into it, it seems like there is an underlying message in his words that highlighted the stalwart’s actual achievement. He knows to evolve: “But I do evolve. I do try to learn and get better and try, you know, I try to learn so, you know, that’s it.”
Head coach, Mike Sullivan, categorizes him as an elite player. After all, it does mean something to be named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players, win the Stanley Cup three times, and the youngest captain. Piling on to the list is also his feat of surpassing the record of an all-time legend,-“it’s remarkable, He’s in such a rare company where he is right now with every milestone that that he crosses. It just puts him in more elite company than he’s already in,” said the penguin coach.
While Sidney Crosby surpassed, rest still chase!
NHL players are hot on their heels! History of the NHL is being rewritten by the likes of Alex Ovechkin too, who is chasing Gretzky’s goal record of an all-time 895. “It is what it is. It’s a fun time, obviously, but yeah you just have to enjoy it. It’s a special moment, obviously. Everybody’s watching. Everybody’s paying attention to that,” said Ovechkin.
With his 889th career goal tucked in, the Washington Capitals star is now just six goals short of surpassing history. With three goals in his last five games, the 39-year-old sets the ice on fire every time he steps into the rink. Scott Arniel, the Capitals’ former assistant coach and the current head coach for the Winnipeg Jets, reacted to Ovechkin’s goal scoring, “I’m glad he got the goal. I’m glad he’s getting closer to whatever that number is. At the end of the day, that’s him. It doesn’t take much. The puck is on his stick, off his stick.”
With Crosby already surpassing one record of Gretzky and with Ovechkin pursuing the mother of all records in the NHL, there is one common factor, Wayne Gretzky. His records, which once seemed impossible, are now being pursued by a new generation of players, which exemplifies Gretzky’s profound impact in the hockey world. Perhaps it sets a standard so high that it still inspires the young players to reach for the star (literally) and beyond!
And that is exactly what Sidney Crosby points out when he says, “I think trust your instincts and you can continue to learn with each and every game and practice, you know, I think you just got to learn as much as you can. But yeah, I think just rely on your instincts.”
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