Pittsburgh Penguins star center Sidney Crosby is ready to disregard a personal rivalry if that means witnessing history. During a chat with ESPN earlier this week, Crosby backed the Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin to break the NHL’s scoring record.
Crosby and Ovechkin enjoyed a prolific rivalry since they entered the league in 2005, going head to head for awards and scoring titles multiple times. But the past isn’t stopping Crosby from wishing that his contemporary will surpass Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky and his mark of 894 goals in the league.
“I hope he does. I told him today that I hope he does,” said Crosby, who has 486 NHL goals of his own. “It would be awesome. He’s in range.”
Ovechkin has played 17 seasons in the league and scored 730 NHL goals. Getting 164 more seems doable, especially since the 36-year-old legend recently signed a five-year extension with Washington that should see him play through the 2025-26 NHL season.
But despite being in reaching range of such a big all-time record, Ovechkin is trying not to think about it.
“I don’t even think about it right now, to be honest,” Ovechkin said via ESPN. “Because it’s too far. It’s a long way. And it’s a hard way. Whatever happens, happens.”
