The Penguins celebrated another milestone on Saturday night.
No, it wasn’t the fact they played the Utah Hockey Club for the first time. It was Sidney Crosby scoring his 600th career goal in what was otherwise a forgettable 6-1 loss to the NHL’s newest outfit.
Combing through Crosby’s long list of goals over the last 20 years is a tireless task, but it’s far from a chore when you sit back and relive some of the unreal moments he’s delivered since the first time he took the ice in 2005.
Condensing this list down to five was almost impossible, and given Crosby’s brilliance has reached each of us in so many different ways, you’ll likely disagree.
But from a fan who’s marvelled at his playmaking ability and quickness in the playoffs, All-Star Games, and the international stage, here’s a list featuring five of Crosby’s very best.
1. 2014 - The Golden Goal
A no-brainer. One that you knew was No. 1 when it first happened 14 years ago.
No, it’s not technically an NHL goal, and it’s probably not Crosby’s flashiest either. But considering what it meant and the shockwaves it created around the world, it will go down as Crosby’s very best career moment.
2. 2018 - The Double Volley
Sorry Montreal fans, this isn’t personal.
We’ve seen a few players volley the puck mid-air, but to do it twice? Only Sid.
The fact this video has less than 200,000 views is almost criminal, but I’d be willing to bet Habs goalie Carey Price has viewed it more than twice.
3. 2011 – The Comeback Concussion Goal(s)
Whether you loved or hated Crosby at the time, his comeback goal from a lengthy stint on the sideline in 2011 was the true stuff of legends.
After being knocked out with a concussion against the Lightning in January of the 2010 season, Crosby was ruled out for the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs, which the Pens would lose in Game 7 of the first round to the same Tampa Bay team.
Entering his seventh year in the league at the time, Crosby missed the first 20 games of the new season due to ongoing concussion symptoms, before returning with a vengeance to net two memorable goals against the Islanders.
4. 2006 – From the Seat of His Pants
Probably another underrated one, but you don’t have to be a Pens fan to appreciate the effort level on this goal that was quite literally – ass.
It’s another one from Crosby’s early archives, but perhaps the most unique as he fell to the ground, only to put a backhander past the Coyotes netminder for a goal that quite literally caused the entire arena to gasp.
Looking at the YouTube comments, someone wrote 13 years ago: “I t's scary to think.... he's getting BETTER.”
5. 2005 – Shootout Goal vs Montreal
From the build-up to the announcers to the fans, and the goal itself – there's just so much to love about this video.
In Montreal’s first-ever shootout, an 18-year-old Crosby sent Pens fans home happy in his rookie year when he put one top shelf against Jose Theodore.
It was his first game against a Canadian team, and as a fan growing up, the one he loved the most.
Indeed, welcome to the Crosby show.