Penguins' Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Not Slowing Down

It feels like someone hit rewind for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The year might say 2025, but Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are turning back the clock and giving fans something to cheer about almost every night. Two decades into their legendary partnership, the Penguins’ dynamic duo once again sit atop the league leaderboard: Crosby is tied for the NHL lead in goals, while Malkin is tied for the lead in assists, and the Penguins looking every bit like contenders again.

Through the first 15 games, Pittsburgh is off to a scorching 9-4-2 start to the 2025–26 season, and looks like a team that can win a game against anyone they face. Their power play has been nearly unstoppable, converting at an absurd 35.9% clip, while their 54 goals scored is tied with the Anaheim Ducks for most in the NHL. The chemistry between Crosby and Malkin — something that once defined an era — is powering this resurgence. For fans in Pittsburgh, it’s a familiar sight that never gets old and one they should truly cherish while they still can.

Crosby the Goal-Scorer

Seemingly inspired by Ovechkin breaking Gretzky’s all-time goals scored record last season, Sidney Crosby has been on a mission. The Penguins’ captain is currently tied with Philadelphia’s Cutter Gauthier for the league lead in goals with 11, reminding fans that he’s one of hockey’s most efficient finishers. His two-goal performance in the much-anticipated showdown against longtime rival Alex Ovechkin — now affectionately dubbed “Mr. 900” for reaching the 900-goal milestone — was a statement.

With that brace of goals, Crosby now has 636 career regular-season tallies, putting him 16th all-time and just five shy of passing Dave Andreychuk for 15th. For a player who’s built his career on consistency and competitive fire, this stretch feels like a throwback to the days when the Penguins and Capitals ruled the league