Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored his 26th goal of the season midway through the first period in Pittsburgh’s 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.
The tally allowed Crosby to surpass Wayne Gretzky to take sole possession of an impressive NHL record. With 26 goals and 54 assists this season, Crosby has 80 points in 72 games and secured another season averaging at least one point per game. It’s his 20th season scoring at least one point per game, something no other player in league history, including Gretzky, has achieved.
Crosby hasn’t had a single season with less than one point per game, dating all the way back to his rookie year. In the 2005-06 season, an 18-year-old Crosby put up 102 points (39 goals and 63 assists) in 81 games. Unfortunately for Crosby, fellow rookie Alex Ovechkin scored 52 goals and added 54 assists for 106 points, earning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.
Gretzky, who holds a plethora of NHL records, averaged one point per game in 19 of his 20 NHL seasons. His streak was snapped in his final season in the league. He logged 62 points in 70 games for the New York Rangers in 1998-99.
Now, Crosby stands alone in league history, having achieved one of the most difficult feats of consistency imaginable with his latest goal contribution.
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Featured image via Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images