Crosby Showing Signs of a True Leader
Captain Key in Pittsburgh’s Return to Stanley Cup Final
Much has been made of the Sidney Crosby-Alexander Ovechkin “rivalry”. Some prefer the more reserved on-ice nature of the Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native while others can’t get enough of the dynamic Moscow machine. But in these 2009 playoffs, regardless of who you favor, surely most can agree that Crosby’s leadership is shining through.
In just his fourth NHL campaign and his third straight postseason, Pittsburgh’s captain did what was expected of him come hockey’s second season: take charge. His resume boasted 28 points through the first 17 games, an average of 1.65 points per game. Overall, it was a slight bump from the same time in 2008 when Crosby hit the scoresheet 21 times in the 14 contests played through the first three rounds (1.5 points per game).
While the discrepancy between those averages might be minimal, his increased success when it comes to finding the back of the net is what grabs the most attention. In 2008, “Sid the Kid” scored just four goals heading into the Stanley Cup Final and added two more before it was all said and done. Twelve months later, he more than doubled that entire effort with 14 tallies.
Crosby Scoring More Goals Right at the Net
The success Crosby enjoyed in the playoffs ahead of the Cup Final was more than just an extra year of experience and maturity under his belt. While he’s not one to shy away from the close quarters of the net, Pittsburgh’s young leader did show an increased affinity for getting his nose dirty in the spring of 2009.
A glance through his highlights and one can see that more often than not, No. 87 parked himself on the backdoor or right at the lip of the crease, and didn't leave until the puck is in the net.
NHL Players Rank Crosby Eighth Best in the League
The fans aren’t the only ones who might be singing another tune after witnessing his efforts during the 2009 postseason. Following the Penguins’ series-clinching win over the Hurricanes, RDS (French sister station of TSN) cited on L’Antichambre, its nightly panel talk show, a poll that had been taken among approximately 300 NHL players, asking who they deemed to be the best in the NHL. Ovechkin ranked first, Crosby eighth.
While few would debate Ovechkin as top choice, the question many could ask, and one which the RDS panel did, is how Crosby wound up closer to 10 than to 1. And as he continued lead his team as he had been, it ultimately brought the Penguins where they wanted to wind up: on top.
Players' poll on L'Antichambre
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