The hockey star, Sidney Crosby, has reached the age of 38. That’s correct; you’re reading it accurately. Crosby, predominantly recognized as “Sid the Kid” throughout his renowned hockey journey, currently holds the status of one of the NHL’s seasoned veterans as he gets ready for his 21st season.
Crosby, who has dedicated his entire career to the Pittsburgh Penguins, has experienced a 20-year period that has surpassed the enormous anticipation placed on him preceding his inaugural NHL appearance. Although there are still numerous chapters ahead, Crosby is already acknowledged among the most exceptional players to ever compete in the sport.
Crosby’s extensive record of achievements features recognition as an eight-time All-Star, a three-time Stanley Cup victor, a two-time recipient of the Hart, Art Ross, Conn Smythe, and Maurice Richard trophies, a three-time Ted Lindsay Award winner, and an inductee into the NHL 100th Anniversary Team.
To commemorate his birthday, we present a compilation of the top 10 highlights from Crosby’s remarkable NHL career thus far.
Special recognition: Playing a crucial role in the 2008 Stanley Cup Final
Despite the Penguins’ ultimate defeat against the Red Wings in the series, Crosby’s assist in the final moments of Game 5 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Final still warrants acknowledgment, as it significantly contributed to what remains the sixth-longest game in Cup history. It also demonstrates Crosby’s capability to excel under pressure.
Leading by a single goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation, the packed audience in Detroit anticipated the Red Wings raising the Stanley Cup. However, instead of witnessing a celebration, the spectators were left in stunned silence after Crosby and Marian Hossa assisted Maxime Talbot in scoring the equalizing goal.
With the Red Wings attempting to clear the puck, Crosby maintained control in Detroit’s zone before locating Hossa, who delivered a pass that Talbot skillfully directed past goaltender Chris Osgood. The teams then engaged in two scoreless overtime periods before Petr Sykora secured the game-winning goal midway through the third overtime.
10. An extraordinary initial season
Crosby swiftly established his presence. At the age of 18, Crosby secured his first career point (an assist to teammate Mark Recchi) in his inaugural game, commencing a memorable rookie season in which he accumulated 102 points, ranking fifth-highest in the league that season.
One of Crosby’s most notable moments that year occurred in a mid-November game against the rival Flyers in Philadelphia. Crosby assisted on the game’s opening goal, scored the game’s second goal, and then secured the game-winning goal in overtime.
Despite his impressive rookie season, Crosby concluded the year behind Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin in the Rookie of the Year standings. This outcome was appropriate, considering the rivalry that the two exceptional talents have shared over the past two decades.
9. Securing victory in the Winter Classic
Concerning individual moments, Crosby’s shootout goal that secured victory against the Buffalo Sabres in the inaugural NHL Winter Classic remains an enduring classic. After providing an assist on Pittsburgh’s lone goal in regulation time, Crosby hushed the enthusiastic crowd of 71,217 spectators by directing the puck between goaltender Ryan Miller’s legs and into the net, propelling Pittsburgh to a 2-1 triumph.
8. The youngest scoring champion
Crosby expanded upon his remarkable rookie season with an even more impressive sophomore campaign. During the 2006-07 season, Crosby became the youngest player in NHL history to lead the league in scoring, amassing a career-high total of 120 points.
Crosby’s achievements that season culminated in his first Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s most valuable player. This coincided with the Penguins’ return to the playoffs after a six-year absence. That particular year inaugurated a streak of 16 consecutive playoff appearances for Pittsburgh.
This season also held significance as it marked the first instance of Crosby wearing the captain’s “C” on his jersey.
7. Thwarting the Flyers
Getty Images
The Penguins’ series-clinching triumph over the Flyers in Game 6 of the first round of the 2009 playoffs is predominantly recalled for Talbot’s silencing gesture towards the crowd subsequent to his altercation, which seemed to instigate the Penguins’ resurgence from a 3-0 deficit. However, Crosby also assumed a pivotal role, scoring both the tying and clinching goals as Pittsburgh eliminated its rival.
That particular game encapsulates Crosby’s history against Philadelphia. No other player in NHL history has amassed more points or goals against the Flyers.
6. Imposing penalty on Capitals
Getty Images
The Penguins-Capitals confrontation in the second round of the 2009 playoffs represented a defining juncture in the Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry. Following defeats in the initial two games, Crosby and the Penguins rallied to secure three consecutive victories before succumbing in overtime at home in Game 6.
In Washington for Game 7, Marc-Andre Fleury established the tone early with a glove save on Ovechkin. Crosby capitalized moments thereafter, directing a deflected pass past Semyon Varlamov for the game’s opening goal. Crosby’s goal initiated a surge of points for the Penguins, who swiftly gained a 5-0 advantage midway through the second period. The score was 5-1 when Crosby contributed Pittsburgh’s final goal of the night early in the third period.
The Penguins subsequently secured their first Stanley Cup since 1992, prevailing over the Red Wings in a thrilling seven-game series. While Crosby assumed a crucial role in the championship, the Conn Smythe Award was bestowed upon his teammate, Evgeni Malkin, who amassed an impressive 36 points during the postseason.
5. Regaining prominence
Imagn Images
It may be difficult to recall now, but there was a period when numerous individuals feared that Crosby’s career might prematurely conclude after sustaining multiple head injuries in 2011. After participating in only 22 games during the 2011-12 season, Crosby endured additional time away during the 2012-13 season due to a fractured jaw.
However, Crosby returned to form in the subsequent season, leading the NHL in both assists (68) and points (104), ultimately securing his second Art Ross Trophy, as well as the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.
4. Surpassing “The Great One”
Alongside witnessing his career record for goals scored being surpassed by Ovechkin, Wayne Gretzky witnessed another of his records being broken during the 2024-25 season. On March 27, Crosby clinched his 20th consecutive season averaging at least one point per game after scoring a goal against the Sabres. Gretzky had accomplished that feat in 19 straight seasons.
“Consistency, a strong work ethic, and passion … these are responsibilities that you have towards each other,” Crosby stated after surpassing Gretzky. “I believe that consistency is always a work in progress. Every day is not perfect. There are times that are more challenging than others throughout the year. I consistently attempt to keep that in mind. However, that doesn’t imply that you won’t encounter subpar days or days where you’re not at your best, but you strive to prevent them from clustering together.”
3. Crosby Earns Conn Smythe as Pens Secure Consecutive Cup Titles
Getty Images
While recognized among the most prolific goal scorers in NHL history, Crosby has exhibited even greater productivity in setting up his teammates. He currently shares the 16th position in all-time goals scored and holds the 10th spot in career assists.
Given those statistics, it seems appropriate that the Penguins’ third and most recent Stanley Cup triumph included several significant assists from Crosby during the postseason. He assisted on Chris Kunitz’s goal, which propelled Pittsburgh to victory over Ottawa in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final. Furthermore, in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, Crosby amassed three assists in Pittsburgh’s victory over the Nashville Predators. Subsequently, Pittsburgh triumphed in Game 6, becoming the NHL’s first repeat champion in 19 years.
2. Crosby guides Pens to 2016 Stanley Cup
Following a string of disheartening playoff outcomes, Crosby and the Penguins reclaimed their place atop the mountain in 2016, securing their first Stanley Cup in seven years. In the process, Crosby earned his inaugural Conn Smythe Trophy after contributing several significant plays during Pittsburgh’s journey through the playoffs.
Arguably, the most pivotal goal of Crosby’s career occurred during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final. After conceding Game 1 to the Lightning, the Penguins surged to a 2-0 advantage in Game 2 before surrendering two unanswered goals. The game ultimately extended into overtime, where Crosby delivered the game-winning goal just 40 seconds into the extra session. Crosby buried his shot, which was set up by Bryan Rust on the left wing.
After overcoming the Lightning in an arduous seven-game series, the Penguins entered Game 6 of their Stanley Cup Final showdown with the Sharks holding a 3-2 series lead. In what ultimately served as the series clincher for Pittsburgh, Crosby assisted on longtime teammate Kris Letang’s game-winning goal in the second period and on Patric Hornqvist’s empty-net tally in the closing minutes.
1. The Golden Goal
Part of Crosby’s reputation stems from his success representing Team Canada. His record totals a combined 48-6-1, featuring two Olympic gold medals, gold medals in the IIHL World Championship (2015) and the World Cup of Hockey (2016), and a victory in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. Team Canada won 26 consecutive games with Crosby from 2010-25.
Crosby’s most memorable moment while representing Team Canada — and arguably his greatest moment as a professional hockey player — transpired against Team USA in the gold medal game of the 2010 Olympics. In overtime, Crosby propelled his team to victory when he received Jarome Iginla’s pass and fired it past Ryan Miller.
While the goal may not have endeared him to Team USA fans, it did elevate Crosby’s status as one of Canada’s all-time great players, a fraternity that also includes Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Gordie Howe.
