PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The arena was on hat trick watch after Sidney Crosby scored his second goal just three minutes into the second period. That didn’t happen but we continue to see high level play from the Pens captain in a 3-2 overtime win over Las Vegas Tuesday.
“I don’t know, I think as a line we were creating some chances,” Crosby said. “Rakell made some great plays, Rust was all over the puck. I think we were just opportunistic and good on pucks and got chances because of it.”
He can deflect it to his linemates, but before the overtime winner by Erik Karlsson, Crosby had scored the last four team goals, a second such streak this season. The 37-year-old also reached the 70-point mark for the 15th time in his career. The only three who have done it more times, Ron Francis-16, Wayne Gretzky-17 and Gordie Howe-18. He also moved into 22nd place all-time in multiple-goal games and continues to add numbers to his Hall of Fame career.
Since the Four Nations Face-Off, where he captained Team Canada to a championship, Crosby as points in seven of the last nine games with four goals over that span. He is nine points from setting the NHL record with a 20th consecutive season averaging at least a point per game.
"I just think he's playing a game that we grow accustomed to watching all the time,” said Pens head coach Mike Sullivan. “He's an elite player and I think he's trying to lead through example with our group as far as setting the standard of what it means to be a Penguin. I know it's important to him.”
“I know the legacy that's been built here on the shoulders of him, Geno and Kris ... I think there's been just an incredible legacy that these guys have built of winning and excellence and those things and I know it's important to Sid and those guys to continue to carry that torch and show this younger generation what it means to be a Penguin.”