Penguins' Sidney Crosby's Historic Moment Had Unsung Hero

It was powerful. It was perfect. And it nearly overshadowed someone else who made sure the night didn’t slip away.

The Goaltender No One Was Talking About

Lost beneath all the noise was Artur Silovs — the quiet backbone of the night.

Acquired from Vancouver in July of 2025, Silovs was originally drafted by the Canucks in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Draft. His NHL resume remains brief. Including 10 playoff appearances in the 2024-25 season, this was just his 45th career game in the NHL.

But circumstances change quickly. With Tristan Jarry traded to Edmonton for Stuart Skinner, and the Penguins also carrying young goaltenders Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov in the system, Silovs suddenly finds himself stepping into a larger role.

And on a night that demanded composure, he delivered it.

The Save That Made History Possible

Silovs stopped 22 of 25 shots, including a massive save on Cole Caufield in the final seconds of overtime that pushed the game into a shootout (video below). He followed that up with two calm, controlled stops in the shootout to finally snap Pittsburgh’s nine-game shootout losing streak and eight-game losing streak.

Yet his most important save came earlier — and it’s already being quietly erased from highlight packages.

Before Crosby recorded his record-breaking point, Josh Anderson broke free on a clean breakaway. Silovs stood tall, denied him, and sent the Penguins the other direction (video below). Seconds later, Crosby made history.

If Silovs doesn’t make the stop on Anderson, the night could have played out very differently. The record may not have fallen, and the Penguins’ losing streak could have reached nine straight games. Instead, the milestone moment arrived exactly when it needed to.

Recognition Where It’s Due

Silovs’ performance didn’t come with a spotlight or a ceremony. It came with calm saves, sharp reads, and poise beyond his experience. He was steady in regulation, brilliant in overtime, and composed in the shootout.

Crosby deserved every cheer. Lemieux deserved every word spoken. But Silovs deserved recognition, too — at least a third star, and certainly a place in the story.

Because sometimes, history needs a quiet hero. And on the biggest night in Penguins franchise history, Artur Silovs made sure it happened.