Penguins captain Sidney Crosby extends record streak in win over Panthers

The Pittsburgh Penguins moved one step closer to clinching a spot in the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday with a second consecutive emphatic win over the Florida Panthers. After defeating the Panthers 9-4 on Saturday, the Penguins followed it up on Sunday with a 5-2 win that puts them on the verge of a playoff spot.

Captain Sidney Crosby contributed in a big way to Sunday's win with a goal and two assists. 

That three-point effort gives him 72 points in 66 games for the season. With the Penguins only having four regular-season games remaining, that means it will be Crosby's 21st consecutive season averaging at least a point per game, extending his own NHL record.

Sidney Crosby's streak highlights his dominance and consistency 

Crosby has not only been one of the best players of his era, but he has been one of the best players in the history of the NHL and has not really shown any sign of slowing down, even as he plays into his late 30s. Averaging a point per game is difficult enough at any point in a player's career, and the majority of players won't even do it for a couple of seasons in their careers.

Crosby has not only done it every year he has played in the league, but he has also done it over two full decades and is still counting. 

With 1,759 career points, Crosby is now seventh on the NHL's all-time scoring list, while his 1.24 points per game for his career are 12th all-time. 

His 72 points in 66 games this season at age 38 also put him in exclusive company. He is one of just 16 players to ever have at least 72 points in a season after turning 38, and the first player to do it since Teemu Selanne during the 2010-11 season. 

The Penguins entered this season with low expectations and were considered to be a preseason favorite to be in the NHL Draft Lottery and even playing for a potential No. 1 overall pick. They have turned out to be one of the best teams, and one of the highest-scoring teams, in the league. Crosby has been at the center of it all.