Sidney Crosby Approaches Mario Lemieux’s Career Point Total

Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux are recognized as the foundational figures of the Pittsburgh Penguins in their respective playing eras. Their contributions to the franchise are invaluable, affecting both the team’s performance and its legacy on and off the ice.

As of the end of the 2023-24 NHL season, Crosby has recorded 1,596 career points, placing him just five points shy of Lemieux’s total of 1,601 points at the same age. While Lemieux’s career was interrupted by injury, illness, and a mid-career retirement, Crosby has faced his own challenges and has played 1,272 games.

In a notable comparison, Crosby’s performance is measured against Lemieux’s point total as both players have aged. Lemieux had an impressive age-37 season, scoring 91 points in 2002-03, just before health issues ended his career. Crosby, now heading into his age-37 season, faces a similar situation as the Penguins have missed the playoffs for the past two seasons.

The parallel continues in terms of career point production. While Lemieux had eight seasons with more points than Crosby’s best single-season total of 120, Crosby’s consistent scoring in recent years has helped narrow the gap. Notably, Lemieux recorded only 283 points between ages 28-34 due to extended absences from the ice, while Crosby has remained productive, averaging 81 points per season in his thirties.

Crosby’s performance in the latter half of his career has been impressive. He has outscored Lemieux by a margin of 569 to 513 points during their respective thirties. The significance of Crosby’s approaching contract extension adds a layer of anticipation as it could enable him to surpass Lemieux’s career point total.

As of now, Crosby trails Lemieux in career points, goals, and assists. Lemieux leads with a total of 1,723 points, 690 goals, and 1,033 assists. Crosby, with 592 goals and 1,004 assists, is nearing the assist record and is in a position to outpace Lemieux in that category in the near future.