Crosby Vs Ovechkin: Greatest Moments From An Era-Defining NHL Rivalry

The two first met on November 22nd, 2005, at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. Neither guy had a standout performance, but it was the start of a ride that nobody could have seen coming, even if you had the highest expectations. Everybody knew they were watching history that night, but Crosby and Ovechkin put on a 21-year show that exceeded expectations. In their first meeting, Crosby had a goal and an assist on a Ziggy Palffy goal. Ovechkin assisted on a goal by Mike Pettinger. Sebastien Caron stopped 41 of the 45 shots he faced in a 5-4 Penguins win. 

4. January 16th, 2017

This regular-season game was a banger between the rivals. Crosby had a goal and three assists while Ovechkin tallied two assists. It’s odd to have two games on this list where Ovechkin was held off the scoresheet in the goal department, but it was such a good game that it’s hard to leave it off. Pittsburgh won the game 8-7, fitting for Crosby. Don’t worry, it only gets better from here. 

3. January 14th, 2009

In this regular-season matchup, the Great 8 and his team got the best of Crosby and the Penguins, winning 6-3 at Mellon Arena. Ovechkin had two goals and an assist on a Tomas Fleischmann goal. Crosby had two assists, setting up Evgeni Malkin and Ryan Whitney. This was the first of many high-scoring affairs between the two rivals. This was a preview of their first playoff series against each other that would happen a few months later, and it didn’t disappoint. 

2. February 7th, 2010

Now we’re getting to the good stuff. In this game, Washington beat Pittsburgh 5-4 at the Verizon Center, and Ovechkin stole the show. He had a hat trick and added an assist on a power-play goal from Mike Knuble. Crosby had two goals, but it wasn’t enough to steal the game. With Crosby coming off his first Stanley Cup, Ovechkin had to remind him that the two would be forever intertwined. 

1. The Dueling Playoff Hat Tricks

This was the Mona Lisa of meetings between the two legends. In their first playoff series against each other in 2009, Game 2 showed us everything. Both guys scored a hat trick. Crosby was a +1 with five shots on goal, and Ovechkin was a +2 with 12 shots on goal. The third period was a duel. Ovechkin scored twice, and Sid answered with one to seal his hat trick. The Capitals won the game 4-3, but the Penguins went on to win the series and lift the Stanley Cup a few weeks later. 

End Of My Alex Ovechkin Rant

Watching the Russian sniper has been a pleasure. While Crosby won more Stanley Cups and will go down as the better all-around player, Ovechkin claims the throne as the greatest goal scorer to have ever lived. Together, they saved the NHL coming out of the lockout. The two legends inspired an entire generation of hockey fans and players everywhere. Hopefully, the two can go get that beer together that Ovechkin has talked about in the past. To be a fly on the wall for that conversation.