Sidney Crosby. Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Sidney Crosby scores milestone goal amid Penguins playoff push

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 4/6/24

The Pittsburgh Penguins are trying to climb their way back into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and their captain, Sidney Crosby, is leading the charge. He continued another incredible goal-scoring campaign on Saturday afternoon, scoring his 40th of the season early in the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This is the third time in Crosby's career that he has reached the 40-goal mark. What makes this one so incredible is that he did it at an age where most players, even the all-time greats, have already slowed down.

With his goal on Saturday, Crosby became just the seventh player in league history to score 40 goals in a season at age 36 or older.

Here is a look at his milestone goal.

Oh captain, my captain

Crosby joins Alex Ovechkin, Brendan Shanahan, Teemu Selanne, Gordie Howe, Phil Esposito, and Johnny Bucyk as the only players 36 or older in @NHL history to notch a 40-goal season. pic.twitter.com/frorbzX04S
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 6, 2024

Crosby has also already locked in at least a point-per-game average for the season, something he has done in each of his 19 seasons in the league. That accomplishment ties a record held only by Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky.

Crosby has long been on track to be an all-time great. His sustained dominance included at least a decade where he was almost universally regarded as the best player in the NHL.

The fact that he is still going this strong and playing at this level into his late 30s is almost unprecedented in league history. If the Penguins do end up making the playoffs, it will largely be a result of Crosby's continued greatness.

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