Crosby sets NHL record with 20th point-per-game season
Move over, Wayne Gretzky. Sidney Crosby stands alone as the NHL's consistency king.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain scored in the first period of a 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday to establish a new NHL record of 20 seasons with a point per game or better.
Crosby missed a pair of contests earlier in the year, so he'll only play a maximum of 80 games this season.
| Player | Point-per-game seasons |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | 20 |
| Wayne Gretzky | 19 |
| Gordie Howe | 17 |
| 6 players tied | 15 |
Crosby is now a perfect 20-for-20, reaching at least a point per game in every campaign since breaking into the NHL as an 18-year-old in 2005-06.
Longtime teammate Kris Letang wasn't shocked by the superstar's achievement.
"Obviously, his consistency is just off the charts," the veteran defenseman said, per beat reporter Michelle Crechiolo. "Every single day he shows up. He works the hardest. He works on different details of his game. So, to get that record - it doesn't really surprise me for how much dedication he has put into his game."
Crosby, 37, has collected at least 80 points in all but six seasons. Here are the ones in which he didn't:
| Season | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 53 | 72 |
| 2010-11 | 41 | 66 |
| 2011-12 | 22 | 37 |
| 2012-13 | 36 | 56 |
| 2019-20 | 41 | 47 |
| 2020-21 | 55 | 62 |
The 2012-13 campaign was shortened to 48 games due to a lockout, and the Penguins only played 69 contests in 2019-20 and 56 in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Crosby notably battled concussions earlier in his career.
"It shows his longevity, his commitment to this team, his work ethic to the organization, to the league, to all of it," Penguins forward Bryan Rust said. "It shows what kind of high character he has to be able to consistently put in that effort year after year, day after day, to keep being this good."
Crosby's most productive campaign came as a 19-year-old in 2006-07 when he led the league with 120 points. He won his first of two Hart Trophies and first of two Art Ross Trophies that season.
The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, native has also won three Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythe Trophies, two Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies, and three Ted Lindsay Awards over his illustrious career.
Crosby ranks 18th in goals, 10th in assists, and ninth in points on the NHL's all-time lists.