On Sidney Crosby’s birthday, let’s take some time to appreciate the Pittsburgh Penguins center and everything he has done for the NHL.
I’ll be honest: I do not write about Sidney Crosby enough. Today, we are going to change that. Today’s calendar marks August 7th and that means the Pittsburgh Penguins captain celebrates his 32nd birthday. From an Emmy to two Olympic Gold medals and three Stanley Cups, Crosby has won it all.
Crosby was hyped as the best prospect in a very long time before the 2005 NHL Draft. Since then, he has managed to not just meet those expectations but soar over them. Crosby will go down as one of the best players in NHL history.
During the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, NBA analyst Charles Barkley deemed Crosby as “the perfect superstar.” Regardless of what sport or team you support the most, it is difficult to disagree with that statement.
If @kawhileonard was a hockey player, who would he be?
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) June 13, 2019
Charles Barkley immediately had a response: Sidney Crosby. pic.twitter.com/XFaEB6j22v
Here is a look at some of my favorite moments and highlights throughout Crosby’s career.
December 5th, 2006
Crosby’s 50th career goal was a doozy. He was flying through the neutral zone with such speed that the Florida Panthers defensemen were petrified and skating backward towards the Pittsburgh parkway.
June 4th, 2009
Both Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were outstanding throughout the Penguins run to the Stanley Cup in 2009. Those Detroit teams were possession powerhouses and to be able to win a championship against them is a tremendous accomplishment. Anyways, they teamed up on this 2-on-1 as Crosby tallied the game-winning-goal in Game 4. Mellon Arena was so loud that the Red Wings called a timeout just to calm things down.
April 16th, 2010
At the time of this clip, Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza was a terrific player. He just did not have a terrific shift in this highlight. On this night, Crosby turned the ice into a dance floor. This is just an unstoppable individual effort from Sid to set up Kris Letang for the game-winning goal.
March 24th, 2012
I feel pretty confident in saying that both Crosby and former Penguin Matt Cooke are disliked by Senators Owner Eugene Melynk and their fanbase. That makes this goal even better. Crosby completing this spin-o-rama pass right onto Cooke’s tape is just absurd.
May 9th, 2013
During his brief time in Pittsburgh, Jarome Iginla did not play alongside Crosby as frequently as I had hoped. As Mike Lange would say, Iginla displayed more patience than Mercy Hospital, by carrying the puck and allowing Crosby to skate into the pass that led to this tremendous goal.
May 24th, 2016
With the Penguins facing elimination, their horses were ready to go for Game 6 in Tampa Bay. In the clip below, Patric Hornqvist forced a turnover, Crosby found the biscuit, and proceeded to split the top defense pair of Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman and deliver the dagger.
February 16th, 2017
On the same night that Crosby registered his 1,000th career point, the two-headed monster teamed up in overtime. With Winnipeg Jets defenders draped on top of them, the duo won the game in terrific fashion.
March 24th, 2017
After going through everybody on the Buffalo Sabres, all it took was the flick of the wrist for Crosby to roof a one-handed backhander past Robin Lehner. Hall of famer Mike Lange’s goal call says it all, beginning at the 27 second mark in the clip below.
June 8th, 2017
Following consecutive losses in Nashville, the Penguins were back on home ice for Game 5. Crosby wasted no time in setting the tone. On the first shift of the game, Crosby blew past (and through) the Predators top defense pair of Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis. It appeared as though he was taking a midday stroll through Frick Park. Crosby hit the post on the initial scoring chance, but drew a penalty in the process. He tallied 3 assists in a 6-0 Penguins blowout. This game was essentially over before the first goal was scored. Watch at least the first 30 seconds of this:
March 29th, 2018
In the month following the MLB All-Star Game, the Pittsburgh Pirates bats have gone quiet. After watching Crosby in this clip, perhaps they should try and add him into their lineup for the remainder of the summer.
April 11th, 2018
I could not go this entire list without including a memory of Crosby against the Philadelphia Flyers. So, I picked three. Crosby completed the natural hat-trick in a 7-0 route. The first goal in this sequence is just further proof that Crosby could help the Pirates offense out.
October 24th, 2018
When Crosby and Connor McDavid share the same sheet of ice, I highly suggest tuning in. If you don’t, you will miss out on gorgeous goals like this.
Obviously there is a vault of terrific Crosby goals, passes, and plays to choose from here. Ultimately, the Penguins are pretty darn lucky to have Sid as the face of their franchise. Here’s to wishing a happy birthday to an all-time great. Thanks for reading!