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Sidney Crosby Sends Message on Alex Ovechkin’s 900 Goals Achievement Before Capitals Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 6, 2025 10:31 AM ET

When the Washington Capitals visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night, it will mark the 74th meeting between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.

Those players have defined a generation of hockey for the past two decades, and Ovechkin will enter the matchup one day after becoming the first player in league history to score 900 career goals.

The 40-year-old reached the milestone with a backhand finish against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, pushing his career total even further than anybody could have ever imagined.

Crosby offered his perspective Wednesday before Ovechkin scored the milestone goal and ahead of their matchup on Thursday.

Funny exchange between Sidney Crosby and @OtherNHLCrosby about Alex Ovechkin.

Wes: "Seems inevitable Ovi will hit 900 tomorrow. Maybe tonight. I know you guys don't want it to be tomorrow. Sorry about that."
Sid smiles: "He scores a lot, so..."

More from 87 on battles with 8 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2MR6GjVjB6
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 5, 2025

“He scores a lot, so …” Crosby told NHL.com's Wes Crosby. “Yeah, I mean, I wouldn’t know, but it’s something that I said when he got the record that I think a lot of people, myself, probably him included, thought that it would be pretty difficult to get that many goals.

“But, yeah, he’s just continued to find ways year after year. To be that consistent and that productive is pretty hard to even fathom.”

Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record last season with his 895th tally in April. Wednesday’s marker came in his 1,504th game and was his third of the season.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) looks on during a stoppage in play.Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Both stars remain productive. Ovechkin has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 13 games this season, while Crosby has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) through 14 games for a Penguins team sitting third in the Eastern Conference.

Asked about their careers unfolding side by side since the 2005–06 season after they were selected with the No. 1 overall pick in back-to-back drafts, Crosby said the rivalry has been special.

“It was great when we first started playing against each other. … I think it was great for hockey and still is,” Crosby said.

The Penguins and the Capitals will face each other on Thursday in Washington, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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