Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin: The key stats that defined hockey's greatest modern rivalry

Over the last two decades, a pair of superstars have been the faces of the NHL: Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.

Crosby and Ovechkin immediately put their talent on display as rookies with the Penguins and Capitals, respectively, demonstrating to the world exactly why there was so much hype surrounding both prospects. They have racked up plenty of points and earned several trophies in the last 20 years, and they have both defied the typical aging curve.

While the rivalry between Crosby and Ovechkin has been highly competitive, the future Hall of Famers also share a healthy respect for each other. It’s simply impossible to deny their impact when you examine what these hockey legends have accomplished.

(All stats current as of Jan. 6, 2026)

The origins of the Sidney Crosby–Alex Ovechkin rivalry

They were selected as the No. 1 overall picks in back-to-back NHL Drafts, but Crosby (2005) and Ovechkin (2004) both launched their careers during the 2005-06 season because of a lockout that canceled the entire 2004-05 campaign. Both players totaled more than 100 points as rookies, but Ovechkin (52 goals, 54 assists) won the Calder Trophy over Crosby (39 goals, 63 assists).

Crosby and Ovechkin shared some heated moments on the ice as youngsters, most notably when they got into a scuffle back in 2009. They also traded some verbal jabs, adding to the animosity between the Penguins and Capitals.

“The first couple years, we didn’t talk,” Ovechkin said of his early relationship with Crosby. “Then, we maybe shook hands, maybe once or twice, and that’s it.”

With Crosby and Ovechkin establishing themselves as franchise cornerstones, the Penguins and Capitals quickly went from bottom dwellers in their divisions to legitimate contenders. The individual rivalry and battle for superiority in the Eastern Conference turned each Pittsburgh vs. Washington game into must-see TV.

Head-to-head numbers: Crosby vs. Ovechkin by the stats

Crosby has the advantage over Ovechkin when it comes to regular-season matchups with a much better overall record. Ovechkin has scored more goals than Crosby when their teams have crossed paths, but Crosby has produced more points and assists.

Crosby	HEAD-TO-HEAD	Ovechkin
74	Games	74
21:03	Average Time On Ice	20:57
43-27-4	Record	31-33-10
97	Points	70
35	Goals	38
62	Assists	32
1.31	Points Per Game	0.95
16	Power Play Goals	21
11	Power Play Assists	6
27	Power Play Points	27
4	Game-Winning Goals	2
254	Shots On Goal	338
13.8%	Shooting Percentage	11.2%
-8	Plus/Minus	+2

 

Crosby	CAREER	Ovechkin
1,393	Games	1,534
20:38	Average Time On Ice	20:32
1,734	Points	1,659
649	Goals	914
1,085	Assists	745
1.24	Points Per Game	1.08
193	Power Play Goals	328
410	Power Play Assists	284
603	Power Play Points	612
103	Game-Winning Goals	140
4,398	Shots On Goal	6,979
14.8%	Shooting Percentage	13.1%
+197	Plus/Minus	+62

Playoff history: When the rivalry mattered most

Crosby and Ovechkin have met four times in the playoffs (2009, 2016, 2017, 2018), with all four matchups taking place in the second round.

The Penguins defeated the Capitals in the first three series, and Washington finally eliminated Pittsburgh in 2018. Each time Crosby and Ovechkin have collided in the playoffs, the winning team has ended the season with a Stanley Cup celebration.

Crosby	HEAD-TO-HEAD	Ovechkin
25	Games	25
20:14	Average Time On Ice	21:34
13-12	Record	12-13
30	Points	33
13	Goals	15
17	Assists	18
1.20	Points Per Game	1.32
5	Power Play Goals	3
3	Power Play Assists	6
8	Power Play Points	9
1	Game-Winning Goals	2
69	Shots On Goal	110
18.8%	Shooting Percentage	13.4%
+5	Plus/Minus	+6

 

Crosby	CAREER	Ovechkin
180	Games	161
20:56	Average Time On Ice	20:56
201	Points	147
71	Goals	77
130	Assists	70
1.12	Points Per Game	0.91
20	Power Play Goals	31
17	Power Play Assists	16
37	Power Play Points	47
9	Game-Winning Goals	11
542	Shots On Goal	675
13.1%	Shooting Percentage	11.4%
+18	Plus/Minus	+3

Awards and milestones: Two different paths to greatness

Crosby and Ovechkin certainly don’t lack hardware. The numerous trophies they have earned are a reflection of their playing styles, with Ovechkin terrifying opponents as a goal-scoring machine and Crosby controlling the game with his all-around dominance.

Crosby	ACCOLADES	Ovechkin
3	Stanley Cups	1
2	Hart Trophies	3
2	Conn Smythe Trophies	1
3	Ted Lindsay Awards	3
2	Art Ross Trophies	1
2	Rocket Richard Trophies	9
0	Calder Trophies	1
2	Olympic Gold Medals	0

Legacy and respect between two icons

While Crosby and Ovechkin had no interest in building a relationship when they first made the jump to the NHL, they are both impressed with how they have been able to perform at a high level for so many years.

“It’s pretty amazing how much time flies,” Ovechkin told NHL.com in 2024. “I think it’s just cool stuff when my first couple years there was a rivalry like Ovechkin-Crosby and everybody was pumped about it — the fans, you guys (the media). It would give you more motivation, more energy when you step on the ice.”

Crosby acknowledges there is still a lot of intensity when he suits up against Ovechkin, but he recognizes the rivalry is something “unique” and “special.”

“There’s definitely a ton of respect there,” Crosby told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt in 2025. “In a lot of ways, we can relate to what we’ve gone through over the course of our careers. It’s fun to compete and still be doing it.”