The Penguins were the first of the three teams chasing an Eastern Conference wild card position to play today. They are also the first to record a victory and as of this moment are in a playoff position after defeating the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 5-1. They are one point ahead of both the New York Islanders and the Florida Panthers.
The victory was a must and is important. So were some of the milestones hit in today’s game. Sidney Crosby not only scored his 550th goal, but he also registered his 1,500th point.
Another look at the 1,500 point-tally for Sidney Crosby. pic.twitter.com/AfqJGDEaZ8
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 8, 2023
Crosby scored twice and now has 33 goals on the season. He added an assist as well and has 90 points on the season. Crosby’s 550 goals and 1,500 points are incredible achievments and I will continue to remind everybody that none of this was a guarantee. It gets glossed over because he’s been so good for so long, but there was a time where his career was in jeopardy. He missed an enormous amount of his age 24-26 seasons. The same ones Connor McDavid is dazzling with us now. We didn’t get that with Sid. He should have 238 more points than he does. He should be flirting closer to 650 goals and 2,000 points. Be it as it may his actual numbers are nothing to scoff at and he is one of the fastest players ever to achieve the mark
1,500 FOR #87!
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) April 8, 2023
In his 1,188th career game, Sidney Crosby becomes the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to record 1,500 career points. pic.twitter.com/sdN5Map2lR
Crosby wasn’t the only Penguin to achieve a milestone today. Evgeni Malkin scored his 26th goal and his 82nd point.
Today marked the 117th time Sid and Geno have scored in the same regular season game and 7th time v WIngs.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) April 8, 2023
Pens are 102-10-5 in those games.
His goal locked in his 15th point per game season of his career. He is now tied for fourth all-time with only Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, and Gordie Howe with more. Remember over the summer when the general manager was trying to play hardball with him and how insulting and ludicrous it was. Then the same GM voluntarily acquired Mikael Granlund for 5M? Bozo stuff.
For now the Penguins have to wait to see how things shake out today. If either one of the Islanders or Panthers slip up the Penguins would control their playoff destiny by winning out. So far they’ve done what they’ve needed to do. Still need some help. Now we sit back and wait.
Thanks for reading!