Sidney Crosby’s 1,700th NHL Career Point: A milestone in Penguins history

Sidney Crosby etched his name deeper into hockey immortality on Monday night at PPG Paints Arena, reaching a milestone that only eight other players in the 108-year history of the National Hockey League have achieved. With an assist on Bryan Rust’s goal just 42 seconds into the third period against the St. Louis Blues, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain recorded his 1,700th career point, joining one of the most exclusive clubs in professional sports. The achievement came in a comprehensive 6-3 victory, where Crosby added a goal and another assist to his historic night, reminding the hockey world that even at 38 years old, his brilliance remains undiminished.

The milestone represents more than just a number. It’s a testament to two decades of sustained excellence, durability, and an unwavering commitment to the game. Crosby now stands alone as the only active player with 1,700 career points, a solitary figure among the modern generation who has managed to scale these historic heights. In reaching this mark in his 1,362nd game, he became the fourth-fastest player ever to achieve the feat, trailing only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Mike Bossy in games required.

Sidney Crosby’s 1,700th NHL career point puts him among hockey’s immortals

When examining the list of players who have reached 1,700 points, you’re looking at a who’s who of hockey greatness. Wayne Gretzky sits atop the mountain with an untouchable 2,857 points, followed by Jaromir Jagr (1,921), Mark Messier (1,887), Gordie Howe (1,850), Ron Francis (1,798), Marcel Dionne (1,771), Steve Yzerman (1,755), and Mario Lemieux (1,723). Now Crosby joins them as the ninth member of this distinguished group.

What makes Crosby’s achievement particularly remarkable is the era in which he’s accomplished it. The game has evolved significantly since many of these legends played, with enhanced defensive systems, superior goaltending equipment and technique, and a faster, more structured style of play that makes offensive production more challenging. Yet Crosby has consistently found ways to adapt and excel.

The Penguins captain reached the milestone in style, picking up his first point of the evening when he set up Parker Wotherspoon’s goal on a delayed penalty at 6:37 of the second period. The historic 1,700th point came on Rust’s second goal of the game early in the third, and Crosby punctuated the performance by sealing the victory with a breakaway goal at 16:39 to make it 5-3. According to NHL.com, it was his 498th multi-point game for Pittsburgh, surpassing Lemieux (497) for the franchise record.

Jagr was the last player to reach 1,700 points, accomplishing the feat with a goal and an assist in a 5-0 victory for the New Jersey Devils against Nashville on November 10, 2013. That was nearly 12 years ago, underscoring just how rare it is for players to sustain the level of production required over such an extended period.

How Sidney Crosby’s 1,700th NHL career point fits into his historic Penguins legacy

The milestone takes on additional significance when placed in the context of Crosby’s franchise legacy. Selected first overall by Pittsburgh in the 2005 NHL Draft, he has spent his entire career with the organization, becoming the embodiment of excellence in black and gold. He now holds the franchise record for most games played (1,362) and most assists (1,069), cementing his status as the greatest Penguin of all time in multiple categories.

Perhaps the most compelling storyline is Crosby’s pursuit of Lemieux’s franchise scoring record. With 1,700 points, he now trails his mentor by just 23 points. Lemieux finished his career with 1,723 points in a Penguins uniform, a mark that once seemed untouchable. Given Crosby’s current form and production pace, that record could fall before the end of the season, creating a bittersweet moment where the apprentice finally surpasses the master.

The relationship between Crosby and Lemieux adds profound emotional weight to this chase. When Crosby arrived in Pittsburgh as an 18-year-old phenom shouldering enormous expectations, Lemieux and his family took the young center under their wing. Crosby lived with the Lemieux family during his rookie season, learning not just about hockey but about handling fame, pressure, and responsibility from someone who had walked that path before him.

“Coming in, there’s so many new things and the expectations and everything that comes with it as a young player,” Crosby reflected after a recent game. “So, having someone like Mario and his family there to just keep things as normal as possible, to be there for anything that I needed, any questions I had, just to keep things as normal as they could possibly be given the situation… I don’t know if I can put into words how much it means, but it’s meant a lot, and I really cherish that.”

When considering combined regular season and playoff points, Crosby has actually already surpassed Lemieux. He now has 1,902 combined points compared to Lemieux’s 1,895, making him the franchise’s all-time leading scorer when playoff production is included. This total accounts for 632 goals and 1,069 assists in the regular season, plus additional playoff heroics that include three Stanley Cup championships.

The journey to Sidney Crosby’s 1,700th NHL career point through adversity and triumph

Crosby’s path to 1,700 points hasn’t been without obstacles. Concussion issues in 2011 and 2012 threatened to derail his career entirely, forcing him to miss significant portions of multiple seasons during what should have been his prime years. The medical uncertainties surrounding those injuries led many to wonder if he’d ever return to his previous form, or if he’d be able to play at all.

The fact that he not only returned but continued to produce at an elite level speaks to his determination and ability to adapt his game. Rather than relying solely on the explosive speed and agility of his youth, Crosby has developed into a more complete player who uses positioning, hockey IQ, and unmatched vision to create offense. His work along the boards remains the best in the game, and his ability to protect the puck and create time and space for his linemates has only improved with age.

The hardware in Crosby’s trophy case tells the story of sustained dominance. Three Stanley Cup championships (2009, 2016, 2017), with Crosby becoming the youngest captain in NHL history to win the Cup at age 21. Two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP (2016, 2017). Two Hart Trophies as league MVP (2007, 2014). Two Art Ross Trophies as scoring champion (2007, 2014). Two Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies as goal-scoring leader (2010, 2017). Three Ted Lindsay Awards as the players’ choice for most outstanding player (2007, 2013, 2014).

Beyond the NHL, Crosby’s international resume includes two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada (2010, 2014), with his golden goal in overtime against the United States in Vancouver becoming one of the most iconic moments in Canadian sports history. He’s won the World Championship, World Cup of Hockey, and World Junior Championship, completing the prestigious Triple Gold Club membership.

His contributions have been recognized beyond the hockey world as well. On December 29, 2022, Crosby was named an Officer of the Order of Canada “for being one of the greatest hockey players of all time and for supporting community service initiatives for youth.” The Order of Canada represents one of the country’s highest civilian honors, recognizing extraordinary contributions to the nation.

What Sidney Crosby’s 1,700th NHL career point means for his remaining seasons

At 38 years old and in his 21st NHL season, Crosby continues to defy conventional wisdom about athletic decline. While many superstars see their production crater in their late thirties, Crosby remains a point-per-game player who drives possession and creates offense every time he touches the ice. His three-point performance against St. Louis demonstrated that his compete level hasn’t diminished, nor has his ability to impact games in multiple ways.

The question now becomes how much longer Crosby will continue playing and what additional milestones might be within reach. If he maintains his current production level and remains healthy, he could realistically target 1,800 points, which would move him past Yzerman and potentially challenge for seventh place all-time. The Penguins have already shown their commitment to keeping their captain in Pittsburgh for as long as he wants to play.

Longtime defensive partner Kris Letang summed up Crosby’s relentless pursuit of excellence when discussing various team milestones. “Now there’s nothing more to beat on our team, pretty much,” Letang said. “But that’s the type of player that he is. He’s always looking to be better and thrive even more.”

This internal drive separates Crosby from many of his peers. Even after achieving virtually everything possible in hockey, he approaches each practice and game with the same intensity he brought as a rookie. He’s often the first player on the ice and the last to leave, working on details of his game that most players his age would ignore. This professionalism has helped set the standard for what it means to be an elite player in the modern NHL.

For younger players on the Penguins and around the league, Crosby provides a blueprint for longevity and sustained excellence. His dedication to off-ice training, nutrition, and recovery has allowed him to maintain his physical capabilities even as he ages. Combined with his hockey intelligence and skill, these habits have extended his prime far beyond typical expectations.

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The 1,700-point milestone represents another chapter in Sidney Crosby’s already legendary career, but it won’t be the final one. As he continues his pursuit of Mario Lemieux’s franchise scoring record and cements his legacy as one of the greatest players ever to lace up skates, Crosby remains focused on what he’s always prioritized: winning hockey games and helping his team succeed. The individual accolades and historic milestones are byproducts of that singular focus, not the goal itself.

For hockey fans privileged enough to watch Crosby’s career unfold in real-time, Monday night’s achievement served as another reminder to appreciate greatness while it’s still active. Players of Crosby’s caliber don’t come around often, and when they do, they rarely maintain excellence for two full decades. As he skates toward history with each passing game, the only certainty is that Sidney Crosby’s impact on the sport will be discussed and celebrated long after he finally hangs up his skates.