In a historic night at PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby surpassed Mario Lemieux for the most assists in franchise history. The milestone moment came in a 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Sunday, as Crosby recorded his 1,034th career assist on Michael Bunting’s second-period power play goal.
The 37-year-old Crosby, who has spent his entire illustrious career with the Penguins, now sits 12th on the NHL’s all-time assists list. Only three players in league history have registered more helpers with a single team: Ray Bourque, Wayne Gretzky, and Steve Yzerman. Crosby reached the milestone in his 1,310th regular-season game, while Lemieux recorded his 1,033 assists in 915 contests with Pittsburgh.
A Trademark Crosby Play
The record-breaking assist showcased Crosby’s elite vision and playmaking ability. Stationed behind the Islanders’ net, the Penguins captain sent a pinpoint backhand feed to Bunting in the slot, who promptly buried a one-timer past goaltender Marcus Hogberg to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead at 1:36 of the second period.
“You just try to appreciate it in the moment,” Crosby said of breaking Lemieux’s record. “You reflect on all the memories you have. Just trying to enjoy it.”
– Sidney Crosby
Cementing a Legacy
Crosby’s assist not only propelled the Penguins to victory but also further solidified his place among the game’s all-time greats. The three-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist has consistently been a dominant force since entering the league in 2005. With Crosby showing no signs of slowing down, he continues to climb the NHL’s record books and strengthen his case as one of the greatest players in hockey history.
- 3 Stanley Cup championships
- 2 Conn Smythe Trophies
- 2 Hart Memorial Trophies
- 2 Art Ross Trophies
- 2 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies
Chasing More Milestones
With the assist record now in hand, Crosby’s pursuit of all-time greatness continues. The Penguins captain sits just 49 points behind Lemieux for the franchise’s all-time scoring lead, a mark he could surpass next season if he maintains his current pace. Additionally, Crosby ranks 27th in NHL history with 1,533 points, putting him within striking distance of several Hall of Famers on the league’s all-time scoring list.
| Player | Points |
| Mario Lemieux | 1,723 |
| Joe Sakic | 1,641 |
| Phil Esposito | 1,590 |
As Sidney Crosby continues to etch his name in the record books, his legacy as one of the greatest players in NHL history only grows stronger. With the Penguins captain showing no signs of slowing down, hockey fans are left to wonder what milestones he’ll conquer next as he solidifies his place among the sport’s all-time legends.
