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Sidney Crosby Passes Wayne Gretzky for Most Point-Per-Game Seasons
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nov, 10, 2018 (Courtesy Canadian Press)

If you ask any hockey player if they would prefer a team or personal achievement, they’ll always say team first. But some milestones are too significant to be sidelined. One such achievement was reached tonight. One of the league’s brightest stars has officially claimed sole possession of the most point-per-game (P/G) seasons in NHL history. With his goal against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins set a new record with his 20th consecutive P/G season with his 80th point this season. This surpasses the previous record of 19 seasons held by “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, since the 1997-98 season. It’s a feat many anticipated, but some doubted, especially given the team’s struggles. However, for a talent like Crosby’s, doubt was never justified.

Crosby’s career has been nothing short of spectacular. From Ted Lindsay Awards to Stanley Cups, he’s won nearly every major accolade in the game. Upon entering the league, he made an immediate impact on the Penguins. In his rookie season, Crosby proved his importance to a rebuilding team, recording 102 points in 81 games—sixth in the NHL and second among rookies. What made this achievement even more remarkable was that he did it on a team that ranked 29th in the league.

The following season, Crosby helped lead the Penguins back to the playoffs with a 47-24-11 record, good enough for second place in what was then the Atlantic Division. He dominated the league, finishing first in points (120) and second in assists (84).

Over the next 18 seasons, Crosby continued to shine, averaging over a point per game with 1,454 points in 1,192 games. During this stretch, he registered four seasons with 100-plus points, including back-to-back campaigns with 103 (2008-09) and 109 (2009-10).

Congratulations to Crosby on adding another incredible milestone to an already Hall of Fame career!

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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