Crosby on the Brink of History in Montreal, With Lemieux in His Sights
Right now, there’s a real sense that hockey history is about to be written, and it just happens to be unfolding in one of the most symbolic places imaginable: Montreal. Sidney Crosby is skating into the Centre Bell knowing he is only one point away from tying Mario Lemieux for the most points in Pittsburgh Penguins franchise history, and two points away from standing alone at the top. That alone would be a massive milestone. But when the name ahead of him is Mario Lemieux, his mentor, idol, and one of the greatest players the game has ever seen, the moment becomes something much bigger.
This was always expected to happen at some point this season. Crosby has been climbing the all-time scoring list steadily for years, and with 1,722 career points, he has now reached the doorstep of Lemieux’s 1,723. What makes it special is the setting. Montreal was Crosby’s favorite team growing up, and Lemieux is a Quebec icon. The idea that the torch could be passed in this building has turned a regular-season game into an event.
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Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis admitted he would prefer not to see history made at his team’s expense, but his respect for Crosby was unmistakable. Lemieux, he said, was his idol and, in his view, the best player to ever play in the NHL. To pass someone like that is no small thing. In fact, St-Louis made it clear that Crosby already belongs among the top five players in league history, even if he didn’t want to rank them precisely.
Adding another layer to the story is the presence of Crosby’s father, Troy, who is traveling with the Penguins as part of their annual fathers’ trip. He watched practice wearing his son’s number 87 jersey, fully aware of how unique this situation is. Sidney could surpass his childhood hero, in Montreal, with his family in the stands. Troy wasn’t surprised by his son’s continued excellence, pointing to the relentless work, discipline, and sacrifices that have defined Crosby’s career well into his late 30s.
Inside the Penguins’ locker room, the attention was intense. Cameras and reporters crowded around Crosby’s stall, yet he remained true to form. The milestone was downplayed. What mattered most, he insisted, was winning. Pittsburgh is stuck in a seven-game losing streak, and personal achievements mean little if the team doesn’t respond.
That humility has always defined Crosby. He spoke more about Lemieux, about gratitude, and about doing things the right way than about numbers or records. Reflection, he said, can come later. For now, there are games to play and points to earn the hard way.
If history does happen tonight, it will be witnessed by a city that understands greatness, and by fans who know exactly what it means when one legend finally catches another.
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