Pittsburgh Penguins Hit Major Milestones In Crucial Weekend Push

With a two-point game against the Florida Panthers, Bryan Rust eclipsed 500 points and surpassed Syl Apps Jr for 10th on Pittsburgh’s all-time points list. When it’s all said and done, Rust will be one of the most underrated Penguins of all time. He’s eighth in games played and goals, and now he is 10th in points. Being Sidney Crosby’s right-hand man for a decade pays off. The old Rusty razor still works fine.

4. Evgeni Malkin’s 16th Point-Per-Game Season

On an assist to Rickard Rakell, Evgeni Malkin claimed his 16th career point-per-game season with the Penguins. Only three players in NHL history have more: Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, and Gordie Howe. Malkin has proved that he deserves another contract this offseason. He is proving that he can still play at a high level despite being 39 years old. It has been reported that Kyle Dubas and Malkin are scheduled to talk about it more this offseason. Malkin has a ton of leverage in that discussion based on his play this season. 

3. Sidney Crosby Moves Into 7th All-Time In Points

With an assist to his longtime sidekick, Malkin, Crosby moved into 7th on the NHL’s all-time points list, passing Steve Yzerman, one of his idols. After the weekend, Crosby has 1,759 career points. Its safe to assume that he can move into 5th on the all-time list next season. He needs 12 points to pass Marcel Dionne for 6th, and 39 points to pass Ron Francis for 5th. After that, he will need 52 points to pass Howe. Once Crosby does so, he will need 37 points to catch Mark Messier for third. It’s a shame that Dave Steckel robbed him of already having 2,000 points. 

2. Malkin Hits 1,400 Career Points

The Penguins’ superstars had an extravagant weekend. Powered by the assist that made Crosby 7th on the points list, Malkin’s first goal of his Saturday hat trick gave him 1,400 points in the NHL. He is 23rd on the all-time points list, and he needs four more to catch Dale Hawerchuk for 22nd. Malkin will go down as one of the most underappreciated superstars of all time. Crosby is the big story in Pittsburgh, but Malkin has done incredible things in the Steel City alongside him. 

1. Crosby’s 21st Point-Per-Game Season

Last season, Crosby passed Gretzky for the most points-per-game seasons of all time. This season, he did it again to show us that he is Mr. Consistency. What Crosby has done over his 21-year career cannot be understated. Despite missing a hefty amount of games due to injuries, he is still a Mount Rushmore hockey player. Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Howe, and Crosby are the top four. Whatever way you want to rank them, those are the four best hockey players of all time. Pittsburgh is lucky to be called home by two of them. 

End Of My Pittsburgh Penguins Rant

Before the season, oddsmakers gave the Penguins a 9% chance to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After this weekend, they have a 99% chance with an opportunity to punch their ticket with two points on Thursday. Although the Pittsburgh veterans made some history over the weekend, they would trade it all for another run to the Stanley Cup Finals. It won’t be easy, but crazier things have happened. With Crosby and Malkin playing at a high level, anything is possible in a playoff series.