Crosby Achieves Major Milestone in Penguins’ Pride Game Victory

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Sidney Crosby added another highlight to his storied career on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena, scoring his 24th goal of the season just 15 seconds before the first period ended. This crucial tally helped the Pittsburgh Penguins secure a 2-0 lead over the New York Islanders.

Crosby’s goal marked his 1,670th career point, catapulting him into sole possession of fourth place for the most points scored with a single franchise. He surpassed Wayne Gretzky, who recorded 1,669 points during his time with the Edmonton Oilers. Crosby now trails only Gordie Howe (1,809 points with the Detroit Red Wings), Steve Yzerman (1,755 points with the Red Wings), and Mario Lemieux (1,723 points with the Penguins).

With his current pace, Crosby is only six points away from achieving an 80-point season. If successful, he would break a Gretzky record for the most consecutive seasons scoring at least 80 points per game. Achieving this milestone would mark the 20th season in which Crosby has maintained a point-per-game average.

In the broader context of NHL history, Crosby currently stands ninth for all-time regular-season points with 1,670, leading all active players. His performance has been instrumental in the Penguins’ recent success, as they continue their five-game homestand.

The Penguins are set to host the St. Louis Blues tonight as part of their ongoing homestand, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. local time. “Teamwork, inclusion, respect, and acceptance are at the heart of hockey,” a spokesperson indicated, adding that the Penguins will honor these values with their annual Pride Game, featuring local LGBTQ+ organizations participating in the Pride Zone.

Head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that goaltender Tristan Jarry will start, noting his impressive performance since being recalled. Jarry holds a 2-0-0 record with a 1.49 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage. Meanwhile, Crosby leads the team in assists with 47 and points with 70.

Crosby aims to extend his current streak of games with multiple goals, having tallied four consecutive goals for the Penguins in recent games, including a pair of goals in their matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. Should he secure multiple goals again, it would only be the second three-game multi-goal streak of his illustrious career.

The Penguins have a strong record against the Blues, winning six of the last seven matchups. Pittsburgh is also enjoying a four-game home winning streak against St. Louis, enhancing their confidence heading into tonight’s game.

While Tristan Jarry has an impressive 6-1-0 career record against the Blues, fellow players like Evgeni Malkin have also made notable contributions, recording 23 points in 23 career games against St. Louis. Malkin is just two assists shy from tying for the 12th-most assists with a single franchise in NHL history.

As the Penguins gear up to face the Blues, fans are not just expecting a thrilling game but also celebrating the values that make hockey a more inclusive sport.