After the sport, the Penguins captain selected to not talk about his milestone, highlighting Malkin as a substitute.
“I believe whether or not it’s moments like tonight or issues we’ve shared, good and unhealthy, it’s been fairly unimaginable to be a part of the crew and play with him over this period of time,” mentioned Crosby, Malkin’s teammate of 19 seasons. “I believe we simply care rather a lot in regards to the crew. We wish to win. We anticipate plenty of one another. However I believe there’s plenty of respect there too.
“Clearly, we would not have the identical persona. However I believe there’s plenty of respect.”
Crosby is second in Penguins historical past in factors (1,602), targets (593) and assists (1,009), trailing Lemieux in every (1,723 factors; 690 targets; 1,033 assists). Malkin is third with 1,307 factors, 500 targets and 807 assists.
“I’m glad he rating, like, 1,600 factors,” Malkin mentioned. “He deserves each level. He’s the chief, captain. He works, like, each apply. … He deserves, like, additional time objective and every level.”
Chosen No. 1 within the 2005 NHL Draft, Crosby signed a two-year, $17.4 million contract ($8.7 million common annual worth) on Sept. 16, 2024, preserving him with the Penguins via the 2026-27 season.
“You have a look at the fellows and the individuals which were on this group over the time that we’ve been right here, in order that helps rather a lot too,” Crosby mentioned. “You’ll be able to go proper via all of the gamers, administration, everybody that’s been a part of this group. Possession. We’ve been fairly lucky to be right here.”
Crosby, named to the 100 Best NHL Gamers in January 2017, has received the Stanley Cup thrice. At age 21, he turned the youngest captain of a championship crew when Pittsburgh defeated the Detroit Pink Wings in seven video games of the 2009 Stanley Cup Closing earlier than successful the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2016 and 2017.
The native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, earned recognition on Dec. 29, 2022, as an Officer of the Order of Canada “for being one of many biggest hockey gamers of all time and for supporting group service initiatives for youth.” The Order of Canada is likely one of the nation’s highest honors that acknowledges individuals throughout all sectors of society who’ve made extraordinary and sustained contributions.
NHL.com employees author Mike Zeisberger contributed to this report