Sidney Crosby#Honors and achievements

File:Crosby Dryer Challenge(4936509596).jpg]]

Crosby was born in the Grace Maternity Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on August 7, 1987,{{cite book|last=Podnieks|first=Andrew|title=Sid vs. Ovi: Crosby and Ovechkin as Natural Born Rivals|publisher=McClelland & Stewart Ltd.|year=2011|isbn=978-0-7710-7116-4}} to Troy and Trina (née Forbes) Crosby. Crosby's jersey number (87) and 2007 contract signing ($8.7 million per year) reflect his birthdate (8/7/87).{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2007 |title=Pens sign Crosby to $43.5 million extension |work=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2931332 |url-status=live |access-date=March 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002114204/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2931332 |archive-date=October 2, 2007}} Crosby grew up in nearby Cole Harbour and has a younger sister named Taylor.{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06274/726498-61.stm |title=Time for Crosby to write Chapter 2 |last=Diana |first=Peter |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=October 1, 2006 |access-date=May 28, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610010445/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06274/726498-61.stm |archive-date=June 10, 2008 }} His father Troy was a goaltender who played for the Verdun Junior Canadiens in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He helped the team win the 1985 President's Cup which lead them to the 1985 Memorial Cup. Troy was drafted 240th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1984, but never played at the NHL level. Growing up, Crosby admired Steve Yzerman and, like his father, was a Canadiens fan. Crosby began playing hockey by himself in his basement at the age of two, shooting pucks in a net that had the family dryer behind it, leading to a longstanding misconception that he was actually practising with the dryer;{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/penguins/2009-12-15-crosby-dryer_N.htm |title=Legendary story of Crosby dryer has a little bit of a wrinkle |work=USA Today |date=December 15, 2009 |access-date=March 13, 2011 |first=Kevin |last=Allen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628215634/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/penguins/2009-12-15-crosby-dryer_N.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }} he learned to skate at age three.{{cite web|title=Sidney Crosby Signs Three-Year Deal with Frito Lay's and Pepsi |url=http://www.halifaxlive.com/content/view/737/2 |publisher=Wire Services |date=May 25, 2006 |access-date=November 17, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107101700/http://www.halifaxlive.com/content/view/737/2/ |archive-date=November 7, 2006 }}

From age 12 to 15, Crosby attended Astral Drive Junior High School. He was a straight-A student and, according to the vice-principal, "an amazing role model, who was really kind to students in the learning centre and to special needs kids". At age 15, Crosby transferred to Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota to play with the school's hockey program. While playing for the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL, Crosby went to Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton, New Brunswick, where he graduated in 2005.{{cite journal |last1=Kirkpatrick |first1=Audrey |title=Look who's from D2: Sidney Crosby! |journal=Achieve |date=Spring 2008 |page=22 |publisher=School District 2 |url=http://web1.nbed.nb.ca/sites/ASD-E/Documents/achieve_spring_2008.pdf |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121357/http://web1.nbed.nb.ca/sites/ASD-E/Documents/achieve_spring_2008.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}

Early in his minor hockey years, Crosby began attracting media attention for his play and gave his first newspaper interview at age seven.{{cite news|title=Crosby handles draft hoopla like veteran |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/draft2005/columns/story?id=2120590 |last=Burnside |first=Scott |publisher=ESPN |date=August 2, 2005 |access-date=May 2, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104174638/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/draft2005/columns/story?id=2120590 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 }} When Crosby was 13, Nova Scotia's Minor Hockey Council refused to allow him to play midget, a level of minor hockey designated for 15- to 17-year-olds. His family sued but lost.{{cite news|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Pittsburgh/2007/01/17/3394408-sun.html |title=It takes a village to raise a phenom |last=Jones |first=Terry |newspaper=Edmonton Sun |date=January 17, 2007 |access-date=May 2, 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719181021/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Pittsburgh/2007/01/17/3394408-sun.html |archive-date=July 19, 2012 }} The following year, he entered the midget level with the triple-A Dartmouth Subways and went on to score a combined 217 regular season and playoff points, leading Dartmouth to a second-place finish at the 2002 Air Canada Cup. He was named the MVP and Top Scorer awards at the national tournament at the tournament banquet held after the preliminary round and he finished the tournament with 24 points (11 goals and 13 assists) in 7 games.{{cite web|last1=La Rose |first1=Jason |title=When 'The Kid' Was A Kid: Revisiting Sidney Crosby's remarkable 2002 Air Canada Cup performance |url=http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2012-tel-035-en |website=Hockey Canada |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714190912/http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2012-tel-035-en |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} Crosby was called up as a 14-year-old to play two games with the Maritime Junior A Hockey League's Truro Bearcats that season.{{cite web|title=Crosbys-visit-to-market-makes-fans-day|url=http://www.trurodaily.com/Sports/Hockey/2009-06-30/article-353428/Crosbys-visit-to-market-makes-fans-day/1|access-date=April 14, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205130304/http://www.trurodaily.com/Sports/Hockey/2009-06-30/article-353428/Crosbys-visit-to-market-makes-fans-day/1|archive-date=February 5, 2013}} Crosby had been drafted by the Bearcats in the 2001 MJAHL Draft as a 13-year-old.Reyno, Jim. Bearcats scoop up 13-year-old Crosby: [DAILY Edition]. Daily News [Halifax, N.S.], June 17, 2001, p. 77.Fleming, Carl. Rotating Atlantic Bowl was predictable move: [DAILY Edition]. Daily News [Halifax, N.S.], June 19, 2001, p. 47.Van Horne, Ryan. Crosby adapting very well: [DAILY Edition]. Daily News [Halifax, N.S.], September 10, 2001: p. 32.

During his midget season, Crosby appeared on the CBC's Hockey Day in Canada telecast. He has recalled numerous instances in which opposing players intentionally attempted to injure him, as well as constant verbal abuse from parents on and off the ice. Parents taunted and threatened Crosby so harshly, he took to not wearing his jersey between tournament games while he waited to play so that he would not be recognized.{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1165560/2/index.htm |title=Destiny's Child |last=Price |first=S.L. |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=February 8, 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207155941/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1165560/2/index.htm |archive-date=February 7, 2010 }} Due to this treatment, he elected to play for the American hockey program at Shattuck-Saint Mary's Boarding School, Minnesota for the 2002–03 hockey season. In 57 games with the Sabres, he recorded 72 goals and 162 points, leading the team to a U18 AAA national championship.

Crosby was selected first overall in the 2003 Midget Draft by the Rimouski Océanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In his first exhibition game, he scored eight points, leading his teammates to nickname him "Darryl" (in reference to Darryl Sittler's ten-point NHL game in 1976).{{cite news|title=Crosby's true nickname ... Darryl? |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2180590 |publisher=ESPN |date=October 4, 2005 |access-date=January 26, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060303060018/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2180590 |archive-date=March 3, 2006 }} In his first regular season game in the QMJHL, he scored one goal and added two assists.{{cite news|title=Crosby gets 3 points in QMJHL opener|url=https://www.tsn.ca/chl/news_story/?ID=99234&hubname=|agency=The Canadian Press|date=September 19, 2004|access-date=November 17, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929155148/http://www.tsn.ca/chl/news_story/?ID=99234&hubname=|archive-date=September 29, 2007}} He was named QMJHL Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks at the start of the season and won the honour four more times as the season progressed. He was named QMJHL Player of the Month and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Player of the Week three times each.

{{cite news|title=Crosby headlines CHL All-Star team|url=https://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story/?ID=84733&hubname=|agency=The Canadian Press|date=May 21, 2004|access-date=November 17, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929110944/http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story/?ID=84733&hubname=|archive-date=September 29, 2007}} Crosby finished his rookie QMJHL season with 54 goals and 81 assists over 59 games to capture the Jean Béliveau Trophy as the league's leading point-scorer. He was further recognized with the RDS/JVC Trophy (overall rookie of the year) and Michel Brière Memorial Trophy (most valuable player), becoming the first QMJHL player to win all three major awards at once. Rounding out Crosby's accolades for the 2003–04 regular season were QMJHL All-Rookie and first All-Star team honours, as well as Offensive Rookie, Offensive Player and Personality of the Year Awards. As a team, the Océanic led the Eastern Division with 34 wins and 76 points. After receiving a first-round bye in the 2003 QMJHL playoffs, they defeated the Shawinigan Cataractes in the quarterfinals, then were eliminated by the Moncton Wildcats in the semifinals. Crosby recorded 16 points (7 goals and 9 assists) over 9 playoff games.{{cite web|title=Sidney Crosby |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8471675 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702070046/http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8471675 |archive-date=July 2, 2014 }}

During the off-season, the World Hockey Association, a major professional league proposed to rival the NHL, held an entry draft on July 17, 2004. Holding the first overall selection, Toronto chose Crosby. The following month, it was reported that Crosby turned down a {{USD|7.5}} million contract over three years to play for Hamilton. Crosby told reporters that while "it took a lot to say no to that much money", he "work[ed] hard most of his life to play in the NHL". The contract would have paid him {{USD|2.5}} million annually and an additional {{USD|2}} million payout regardless of whether the WHA was realized as a legitimate league or not. However, it was not clarified how Hamilton could have signed Crosby, as Toronto held his WHA playing rights. Nevertheless, the WHA never materialized.{{cite web|title=Crosby rejects $7.5M offer from WHA|url=https://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story/?ID=96207&hubname=|publisher=TSN|date=August 25, 2004|access-date=November 17, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115108/http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story/?ID=96207&hubname=|archive-date=September 29, 2007}}

Returning to the Océanic for the 2004–05 season, Crosby continued dominating the league, leading the league with 66 goals, 102 assists and 168 points over 62 games to capture his second consecutive Beliveau Trophy. Joining Crosby on Rimouski's top line were wingers Dany Roussin and Marc-Antoine Pouliot, who finished second and third in league-scoring with 116 and 114 points respectively. In addition to his scoring title, Crosby was once again awarded Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player and Personality of the Year, while repeating as a QMJHL First All-Star. The Océanic finished the regular season with the best record in the league, registering 45 wins and 98 points, including a league record-setting 28-game undefeated streak. They went on to capture the President's Cup as QMJHL playoff champions, defeating the Halifax Mooseheads in the finals. Crosby led the playoffs with 31 points (14 goals and 17 assists) over 13 games, earning him the Guy Lafleur Trophy as postseason MVP. With their QMJHL championship, the Océanic qualified for the 2005 Memorial Cup, Canada's national major junior tournament. Meeting the London Knights in the final, the Océanic were shut-out 4–0. Despite the loss, Crosby was named to the Tournament All-Star team and captured the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as the competition's leading scorer with 11 points (six goals and five assists) over five games. Knights forward Corey Perry was awarded the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the MVP. Soon after, he attended the NHL prospect combine in preparation for the 2005 NHL entry draft.Future Greats and Heartbreaks, Gare Joyce, 2007, pg. 36

The Rimouski Océanic retired jersey number 87 in Crosby's honor in September 2019, and the QMJHL also retired the number for all of its teams.{{cite web |title=Crosby's No. 87 will be retired league-wide by QMJHL next season |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/crosbys-number-to-be-retired-by-qmjhl-next-season/c-309542128 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414170825/https://www.nhl.com/news/crosbys-number-to-be-retired-by-qmjhl-next-season/c-309542128 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/sidney-crosby-jersey-retirement-1.5301395|title=Emotional Sidney Crosby honoured during jersey retirement ceremony in Rimouski|agency=The Canadian Press|date=September 28, 2019|publisher=CBC News|access-date=December 8, 2019|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601134102/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/sidney-crosby-jersey-retirement-1.5301395|url-status=live}}

File:SidneyCrosby.jpg

Entering the 2005 NHL entry draft, Crosby was listed first overall in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and International Scouting Services' respective rankings of prospects.{{#tag:ref|The NHL Central Scouting Bureau divide their rankings by position (goaltenders and skaters) and playing region (North American and Europe). Accordingly, Crosby was ranked as the best North American skater.|group=notes}} He also won the Mike Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL's best prospect. Crosby was selected first overall in the draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 30, 2005. Due to the labour lockout that suspended the entire 2004–05 NHL season, positioning for the 2005 draft was conducted via a weighted lottery based on each team's playoff appearances and draft lottery victories in the last four years. This lottery system led to the draft being popularly referred to as the "Sidney Crosby Lottery" or the "Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes".{{cite news|title=2005 Year in Review |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/review2005 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 20, 2005 |access-date=October 20, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227051101/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/review2005/ |archive-date=December 27, 2008 }}

"Sid the Kid", a nickname given to him by the media early in his career, made his NHL debut on October 5, 2005, against the New Jersey Devils, and registered an assist on the team's first goal of the season, scored by Mark Recchi in a 5–1 loss.{{cite web|title=Crosby nets first point in loss to Devils|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story/?ID=138842&hubname=nhl-penguins|publisher=TSN|date=October 5, 2005|access-date=November 17, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312084334/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story/?ID=138842&hubname=nhl-penguins|archive-date=March 12, 2007}} He scored his first NHL goal in the Penguins' home opener on October 8 against goaltender Hannu Toivonen of the Boston Bruins. Despite having registered two assists for a three-point night, the Penguins were defeated 7–6 in overtime. Crosby began his rookie season playing alongside Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux, though Lemieux was forced to retire due to an irregular heartbeat after having played just 26 games into the season.{{cite news|title=Mario Lemieux retires from hockey |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/mario-lemieux-retires-from-hockey-1.618542 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=January 26, 2006 |access-date=November 17, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012182735/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2006/01/24/mariolemieux060124.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }} Near the midway point of the season, Penguins head coach Ed Olczyk was fired and replaced by Michel Therrien on December 15, 2005. The following day, Therrien designated Crosby as an alternate captain for the Penguins. The move drew criticism from some hockey pundits, including commentator Don Cherry, who claimed that Crosby did not have the experience for the position. Cherry said, "An 18-year-old kid says he's going to give us ideas. What, from the Quebec League, he's going to give them ideas? Come on. That's ridiculous."{{cite news|title=Crosby comes to Canada, Penguins face Leafs |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/crosby-comes-to-canada-penguins-face-leafs-1.584956 |publisher=CBC Sports |date=January 2, 2006 |access-date=June 3, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107210839/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2006/01/02/crosby_canada060102.html |archive-date=November 7, 2012 }} Although hopes were high in Pittsburgh for the club to succeed, largely in part to the beginning of Crosby's NHL career and bolstered by the acquisitions of Sergei Gonchar, Žigmund Pálffy, and Mark Recchi, the Penguins still finished with the worst record in the Eastern Conference.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}} Nevertheless, Crosby's first NHL campaign was a personal success as he established franchise records in assists (63) and points (102) for a rookie, both of which were previously held by Mario Lemieux. He also scored 39 goals and became the youngest player in NHL history to score 100 points in a single season, and only the seventh rookie ever to hit the benchmark.{{cite news|title=The education of Sidney Crosby |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/hockey-crosby-education.html |last=Campigotto |first=Jess |publisher=CBC Sports |date=September 27, 2006 |access-date=November 17, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113183222/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/hockey-crosby-education.html |archive-date=November 13, 2006 }} Overall, Crosby finished sixth in the NHL scoring race and seventh in the NHL in assists. Among Canadian NHL players, he trailed only Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley. Throughout the season, Crosby had battled with Washington Capitals winger and 2004 first-overall pick Alexander Ovechkin for the rookie scoring lead. He finished second to Ovechkin's 106 points and also lost to the Capitals forward for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.{{cite web |title=Alex Ovechkin, Joe Thornton steal show |url=http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=0551a4b7-5e43-4cce-831f-b2950e6c7552&k=68736 |access-date=June 5, 2009 |date=June 23, 2006 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621091738/http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=0551a4b7-5e43-4cce-831f-b2950e6c7552&k=68736 |archive-date=June 21, 2009}} It marked the start of a rivalry that would help "define the league" for over a decade.{{cite web|title=Decade of Crosby-Ovechkin filled with highlights |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/decade-of-crosby-ovechkin-filled-with-highlights/c-781424 |access-date=October 26, 2016 |date=October 28, 2015 |publisher=National Hockey League |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027061021/https://www.nhl.com/news/decade-of-crosby-ovechkin-filled-with-highlights/c-781424 |archive-date=October 27, 2016 }} Throughout his first season, Crosby was accused by opposing players and coaches of taking dives and complaining to officials, which was typically attributed to his youth.{{cite web |last=Basu |first=Arpon |url=http://www.thefourthperiod.com/columnists/basu060322.html |title=Don't forget, Sid's still a Kid |publisher=thefourthperiod.com |date=March 22, 2006 |access-date=December 24, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230063819/http://www.thefourthperiod.com/columnists/basu060322.html |archive-date=December 30, 2006}} He became the first rookie to earn 100 penalty minutes and 100 points in the same season, which magnified his reputation for complaining to NHL officials. Hockey analyst Kelly Hrudey compared Crosby to Wayne Gretzky, who had a similar reputation as a "whiner" in his youth, and suggested that as Crosby matured, he would mellow out and his reputation would fade.

File:Sidney Crosby2.jpg]]

In his second NHL season, Crosby built on his rookie success. On October 28, 2006, Crosby scored his first NHL hat-trick in an 8–2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.{{cite news|title=Crosby hat trick sparks Penguins rout|url=http://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/263384/detail.html|agency=Associated Press|date=October 28, 2006|access-date=November 17, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012184146/http://nbcsports.com/nhl/263384/detail.html|archive-date=October 12, 2007}} His success against the Flyers continued as just over six weeks later, on December 13, he recorded the first six-point game of his career (one goal and five assists).{{cite news|title=Crosby's six points leads Pens to win|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=188347&hubname=|agency=Associated Press|date=December 13, 2006|access-date=December 13, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216095406/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=188347&hubname=|archive-date=December 16, 2006}} The multi-point effort vaulted Crosby into the NHL scoring lead, which he would retain for the remainder of the season. He finished the 2006–07 with 36 goals and 84 assists for 120 points in 79 games to become the first teenager to lead the NHL in scoring since Wayne Gretzky in 1980. Being only 19 years old at the time, he became the youngest player in NHL history to win the Art Ross Trophy and the youngest scoring champion in any major North American professional sport.{{cite book|last1=Johnston|first1=Mike|last2=Walter|first2=Ryan|title=Simply the Best: Players on Performance|date=2007|publisher=Heritage House Publishing Co.|isbn=978-1894974240|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2nCBoLryMEoC&q=crosby+youngest+scoring+champion&pg=PT6|access-date=July 12, 2014|archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926010619/https://books.google.com/books?id=2nCBoLryMEoC&q=crosby+youngest+scoring+champion&pg=PT6#v=snippet&q=crosby%20youngest%20scoring%20champion&f=false|url-status=live}}

Crosby's second NHL season also saw significant improvements for the Penguins franchise as a whole, as the emergence of rookie forwards, eventual Calder Trophy-winner Evgeni Malkin and runner-up Jordan Staal complemented the club's offence. As a result, the Penguins jumped from last place in the Eastern Conference the previous season to fifth for the club's first playoff appearance since 2001. Playing the Ottawa Senators in the opening round, Crosby scored a goal in his Stanley Cup playoff debut in a 6–3 loss.{{cite web|title=Sens spoil Crosby's playoff debut, take 1–0 lead |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270411014 |access-date=June 5, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703103847/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270411014 |archive-date=July 3, 2009 }} He finished the series with five points in all five games as the Penguins were ousted in a 4–1 by the eventual Stanley Cup runner-up.

Crosby was named Pittsburgh's team captain on May 31, 2007, making him (at 19 years, 9 months, and 24 days) the youngest team captain in NHL history.{{cite news|title=Penguins to make Crosby youngest captain in NHL history |url=http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=07bdcf3f-76f9-457a-bd05-a5c7ec956a36&k=2251 |agency=Associated Press |date=May 31, 2007 |access-date=May 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012183340/http://canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=07bdcf3f-76f9-457a-bd05-a5c7ec956a36&k=2251 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}Brian Bellows was named interim-captain at age 19 years, 4 months while Craig Hartsburg was out of the lineup with an injury. During the season, the Penguins offered him the captaincy, but he turned it down. In the press conference naming him the team captain, he explained:

"I just thought it wasn't right for me. As a team, we were playing great and you don't want to disrupt things like that. Individually, I was not ready to accept that responsibility quite yet. Going through the playoffs and having that experience has probably given me more confidence. I understand there is going to be a lot more responsibility on my shoulders with this, but it's something I'm ready for, I feel very comfortable with it and I'm just excited to get things going."{{cite news|title=Penguins make Crosby captain; Now that he feels ready Sidney becomes the youngest captain in league history|work=The Record |location=Kitchener, ON|date=June 1, 2007|page=C3}}

At the NHL's annual awards show two weeks later in June 2007, Crosby completed a rare off-season "hat-trick", winning the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award in addition to his previously clinched Art Ross Trophy.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/5301-Sidney-Crosby-completes-rare-triple-in-winning-all-the-major-NHL-awards.html |title=Sidney Crosby completes rare triple in winning all the major NHL awards |agency=The Canadian Press |date=June 15, 2007 |access-date=March 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610174549/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/5301-Sidney-Crosby-completes-rare-triple-in-winning-all-the-major-NHL-awards.html |archive-date=June 10, 2008}} He became the youngest player in NHL history to win the Lester B. Pearson,{{cite web |title=Crosby wins Lester B. Pearson Award |url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=210845&hubname=nhl |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621023924/http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=210845&hubname=nhl |archive-date=June 21, 2009 |date=June 14, 2007}} and only the second youngest player ever to win the Hart (after Gretzky). He became the youngest player ever to be named to the NHL's first All-Star team.{{cite web|last1=Canadian Press |title=Crosby youngest to be named to all-star team |url=https://www.tsn.ca/story/print/?id=210848 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171131/http://www.tsn.ca/story/print/?id=210848 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}

With Crosby's initial three-year, entry-level contract set to expire at the end of the following season, the Penguins signed him to a five-year, $43.5 million contract extension on July 10, 2007, ensuring his stay with the Penguins through the 2012–13 season.{{cite news|title=Penguins sign Crosby to extension|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213216&hubname=nhl|agency=The Canadian Press|date=July 10, 2007|access-date =July 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711093412/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213216&hubname=nhl|archive-date=July 11, 2007}} Midway through the subsequent season, Crosby recorded a Gordie Howe hat-trick on December 20 in a game against the Boston Bruins. His first assist came 55 seconds into the first period. At 8:26 of the same period, Crosby scored to give the Penguins a 2–0 lead. Then, five minutes and nine seconds into the second frame, Crosby fought ex-Penguin defenceman Andrew Ference to complete the hat-trick. This was Crosby's first NHL fight.{{cite news|title=Crosby gets Howe hat trick against Bruins|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=225639&hubname=|agency=The Canadian Press|date=December 20, 2007|access-date=December 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224130143/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=225639&hubname=|archive-date=December 24, 2007}} In the NHL's first Winter Classic (with a record crowd of 71,217 fans in attendance), Crosby scored the shootout winner in heavy snowfall to defeat the Buffalo Sabres.{{cite news|title=Crosby scores shootout winner as Penguins nip Sabres in Winter Classic |url=http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280101002 |publisher=ESPN |date=January 2, 2008 |access-date=June 17, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624202129/http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280101002 |archive-date=June 24, 2016 }} However, two and a half weeks later, on January 18, 2008, Crosby suffered a high ankle sprain crashing leg-first into the boards in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. As a result, he missed the 2008 All-Star Game, to which he was named a starter.{{cite news|title=Pens: Crosby to miss 6–8 weeks|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=227909&hubname=|publisher=TSN|date=January 22, 2008|access-date=January 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123114628/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=227909&hubname=|archive-date=January 23, 2008}} After missing 21 games, he returned on March 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning and earned an assist on a Max Talbot goal.{{cite news|title=Penguins blank Lightning in Sid's return|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=231244&hubname=|agency=The Canadian Press|date=March 4, 2008|access-date=March 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305203844/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=231244&hubname=|archive-date=March 5, 2008}} However, two games after his return, he felt his ankle was not up to shape and decided that he needed more time for it to heal.{{cite news|title=Crosby Back on Bench With an Injured Ankle |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/14/AR2008031403792.html |publisher=News Services |date=March 15, 2008 |access-date=March 28, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104192505/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/14/AR2008031403792.html |archive-date=November 4, 2012 }} Crosby consequently sat out of the Penguins' next seven games and returned on March 27, 2008, to help the Penguins defeat the New York Islanders 3–1.{{cite news|title=Ruutu's career-high 3 points lead Penguins over Islanders as Crosby returns to lineup |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2008032716&prov=ap |agency=Associated Press |date=March 27, 2008 |access-date=March 28, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330173906/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2008032716&prov=ap |archive-date=March 30, 2008 }} Despite his injury-shortened campaign, Crosby still managed 72 points (24 goals, 48 assists) in just 53 games.{{cite web|url=https://triblive.com/sports/penguisn-sidney-crosby-has-a-long-history-of-working-back-from-injuries/ |title=Penguins' Sidney Crosby has a long history of working back from injuries |author=Seth Rorabaugh |website=triblive.com |publisher=Trib Live |date=January 12, 2020 |access-date=March 29, 2024}} Crosby's absence from the Penguins' line-up served as a stepping stone for teammate Evgeni Malkin, who, now in his second season, was developing into a superstar in his own right. Picking up the offensive slack, Malkin finished second in league scoring to Washington Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin{{cite web|title=2007–2008 – Regular Season – Skater – Summary – Points |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20072008&gameType=2&team=&position=S&country=&status=&viewName=summary |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714222524/http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20072008&gameType=2&team=&position=S&country=&status=&viewName=summary |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} and was also a Hart Memorial Trophy nominee as MVP honours also went to Ovechkin.{{cite web |title=Full voting results for the 2008 NHL Awards |url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/16631-Full-voting-results-for-the-2008-NHL-Awards.html |website=The Hockey News |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711105503/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/16631-Full-voting-results-for-the-2008-NHL-Awards.html |archive-date=July 11, 2014}} In addition to Crosby's return to the line-up late in the season, the Penguins acquired star winger Marián Hossa from the Atlanta Thrashers at the trade deadline, placing the club in a strong position to make a deep playoff run. Pittsburgh finished the season as Atlantic Division champions and just two points shy of the first-seeded Montreal Canadiens. In a rematch of the previous year's opening round, the Penguins began the 2008 playoffs facing the Ottawa Senators, whom they quickly swept in four games. After then defeating the New York Rangers and archrival Philadelphia Flyers, each in five games, the Penguins reached the final round for the first time since 1992, to face the Detroit Red Wings.{{cite web|title=Stanley Cup Champions and Finalists |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25426 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719073110/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25426 |archive-date=July 19, 2014 }} After being shut-out as a team for the first two games of the series, Crosby scored the first two goals of game three as the series shifted to Pittsburgh to fuel a 3–2 win.{{cite news|title=Penguins hold off Red Wings with 3–2 win|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/2008/05/28/2008-05-28_penguins_hold_off_red_wings_with_32_win_.html|access-date=June 5, 2009|date=May 28, 2009|work=Daily News|location=New York|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620032130/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/2008/05/28/2008-05-28_penguins_hold_off_red_wings_with_32_win_.html|archive-date=June 20, 2009}} The Penguins lost the next game and despite staving off defeat in game five, they were overcome by the Red Wings in six games. Crosby finished the playoffs with 27 points (six goals and 21 assists in all 20 games), tying forward and Conn Smythe-winner Henrik Zetterberg (13 goals and 14 assists in 22 games) for the playoff scoring lead.{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Ansar |title=Henrik Zetterberg again is proving he's Red Wings' go-to guy in postseason |url=https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2010/04/henrik_zetterberg_again_proves.html |website=mlive |access-date=March 31, 2024 |date=April 22, 2010}}

File:Sidney Crosby with Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz 2009-06-06.JPG and Bill Guerin in game six of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals]]

Early in the following season, on October 18, 2008, Crosby scored one goal and three assists against the Toronto Maple Leafs to surpass benchmarks of 100 goals, 200 assists, and 300 points for his career.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Crosby scores 100th NHL goal, adds 200th assist |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2008101816&prov=ap |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=October 18, 2008 |access-date=October 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023224928/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2008101816&prov=ap |archive-date=October 23, 2008}} On the play in which Crosby scored, teammate Evgeni Malkin assisted to record his own 200th point. As a result, Crosby had a team trainer cut the puck in half so both players could commemorate the achievement. Minor injury troubles kept Crosby from five games early in the season as he was listed day-to-day,{{cite news|title=Crosby's injury status unclear |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/crosby-s-injury-status-unclear-1.729923 |access-date=June 5, 2009 |date=October 31, 2008 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626115946/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2008/10/31/sidnet-crosby.html |archive-date=June 26, 2009 }} but he was, for the most part, able to bounce back from the previous injury-riddled season and stay healthy. He recorded 33 goals and 70 assists for 103 points to finish third in league scoring, as Evgeni Malkin captured his first career Art Ross Trophy.{{cite news|title=Evgeni Malkin scores 50th goal, will win Art Ross Trophy|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/18381036/evgeni-malkin-scores-50th-goal-will-win-art-ross-trophy|access-date=July 17, 2015|date=April 7, 2015|publisher=CBSSports|archive-date=July 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721072532/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/18381036/evgeni-malkin-scores-50th-goal-will-win-art-ross-trophy|url-status=live}} Entering the 2009 playoffs as the defending Prince of Wales Trophy winners, the Penguins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the opening round before meeting the Washington Capitals for a highly publicized second-round matchup. The series was heavily followed as it pitted Ovechkin of the Capitals against both Crosby and Malkin, who together finished as the league's top three scorers that season. In the second game, Crosby and Ovechkin recorded matching three-goal efforts for their first career playoff hat-tricks in a 4–3 Capitals victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/ovechkin-s-hat-trick-puts-pens-in-2-game-hole-1.788930 |title=Ovechkin's hat trick puts Pens in 2-game hole |publisher=CBC Sports |date=May 4, 2009 |access-date=May 11, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508021826/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/stanleycup/Er2-2/story/2009/05/04/sp-penguins-capitals-gm2.html |archive-date=May 8, 2009 }} Despite being down 2–0 in the series, Crosby and the Penguins won the next three games and eventually defeated the Capitals in a seventh and deciding game, in which Crosby added another two goals.{{cite web|title=Crosby, Penguins overwhelm Capitals in end|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1593522|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090515012119/http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1593522|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 15, 2009|access-date=June 5, 2009|work=National Post}} Following a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals, Crosby opted against recent NHL tradition and picked up the Prince of Wales Trophy, which he had left untouched the previous year. In explanation of the change of heart, Crosby said, "We didn't touch the trophy last year, and obviously we didn't have the result we wanted ... Although we haven't accomplished exactly what we want ... we can still enjoy it."{{cite web|title=Crosby and Pens celebrate East title with trophy |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=423930 |access-date=June 5, 2009 |publisher=National Hockey League |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530051044/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=423930 |archive-date=May 30, 2009 }} The Penguins met the Detroit Red Wings for the second straight year in the Stanley Cup Finals, and this time Crosby won his first Stanley Cup title in seven games. At 21 years, 10 months, and 5 days, Crosby became the youngest NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup since 1895. (The youngest captain to lead his team to the Stanley Cup in the history of the trophy is Mike Grant of the 1895 Montreal Victorias, who was 21 years and 2 months at the time.){{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2009/news?columnist=burnside_scott&id=4255637 |title=Cup win completes incredible journey |last=Burnside |first=Scott |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615210214/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2009/news?columnist=burnside_scott&id=4255637 |archive-date=June 15, 2009 }} In the deciding game seven, Crosby was forced to watch all but 32 seconds of the third period from the bench after suffering a knee injury less than halfway through the second period due to a hit from Wings' winger Johan Franzén.{{cite news|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/9676908/Penguins'-heart-overcomes-Crosby-injury |title=Penguins' heart overcomes Crosby injury |last=Morosi |first=Jon Paul |work=Fox Sports |access-date=June 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616050140/http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/9676908/Penguins%27-heart-overcomes-Crosby-injury |archive-date=June 16, 2009 }} Following the game, Crosby was criticized by Detroit centre Kris Draper for neglecting to shake hands with some of Detroit's players in the handshake line, most notably Wings' defenceman and captain Nicklas Lidström. An irate Draper was quoted as saying, "Nick was waiting and waiting, and Crosby didn't come over to shake his hand. That's ridiculous, especially as their captain."{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=281761 |title=Loss, Crosby's snub leave Red Wings with bitter taste |publisher=The Sports Network |date=June 13, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604062102/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=281761 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 }} Crosby replied afterward, saying, "I just won the Stanley Cup. I think I have the right to celebrate with my teammates. I know it's not easy waiting around... I understand if they don't feel like waiting around. But you know what? It's the easiest thing to do in the world, to shake hands after you win. I had no intentions of trying to skip guys and not shake their hands. I think that was a pretty unreasonable comment."{{cite news|last=Gorman |first=Kevin |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_629556.html |title=Retirement isn't in plans for Pens' Guerin |newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=June 15, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618143648/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_629556.html |archive-date=June 18, 2009 }}[http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sports/2009619449_aphknpenguinscrosbysbirthday.html Stanley Cup birthday: Crosby brings trophy home Sidney Crosby brought quite the present to his hometown during a celebration of his 22nd birthday] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223203948/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sports/2009619449_aphknpenguinscrosbysbirthday.html |date=February 23, 2015 }}, oldseattletimes.com. Retrieved February 23, 2015.

File:Fleury, Crosby and Stanley Cup.jpg (left) and the Stanley Cup during the Penguins victory parade. By winning the Stanley Cup in 2009, Crosby became the youngest NHL captain to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.]]

In the 2009–10 season, Crosby tied Tampa Bay Lightning centre Steven Stamkos for the lead in goals scored, with 51 goals each, both earning the Rocket Richard Trophy.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=524929 |title=Crosby, Stamkos share Richard Trophy with 51 goals |publisher=National Hockey League |date=November 4, 2010 |access-date=December 29, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414154829/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=524929 |archive-date=April 14, 2010 }} He also garnered 58 assists for a total of 109 points, enough to tie with Washington Capitals winger and captain Alexander Ovechkin for second in league points, trailing only Vancouver Canucks' centre Henrik Sedin's, who ended the season with 112. Crosby was also named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.{{cite web|url=http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532546 |title=Henrik Sedin named Hart Trophy winner |publisher=National Hockey League |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706110802/http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532546 |archive-date=July 6, 2015 }} Crosby won the Mark Messier Leadership Award, getting recognized as a "superior leader within the sport, setting a positive example through on-ice performance, motivation of team members and a dedication to the community".{{cite web|title=Bridgestone Messier Leadership Award |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=62987 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706161947/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=62987 |archive-date=July 6, 2014 }} This was the second time he had received this honour, the other being in January 2007, during the award's first year when it was presented monthly.{{cite web |last1=Canadian Press |title=Mark Messier hands Sid the Kid the monthly NHL leadership award |url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/2489-Mark-Messier-hands-Sid-the-Kid-the-monthly-NHL-leadership-award.html?media=all |website=The Hockey News |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714200135/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/2489-Mark-Messier-hands-Sid-the-Kid-the-monthly-NHL-leadership-award.html?media=all |archive-date=July 14, 2014}} He was also included on NHL's all-decade second team of 2000s.{{cite web |title=Who's the best? NHL.com selects All-Decade Team |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/whos-the-best-nhl-com-selects-all-decade-team/c-510915 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=February 16, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216193759/https://www.nhl.com/news/whos-the-best-nhl-com-selects-all-decade-team/c-510915 |url-status=live }} Crosby's defending Stanley Cup champion and fourth-seeded Penguins were defeated in the second round of the 2010 playoffs, losing to the Montreal Canadiens in seven games, unable to build onto an initial 3–2 series lead. Crosby had 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in all 13 games in the 2010 playoffs, though through seven games against the Canadiens, he had only one goal and four assists.{{cite web|title=Sidney Crosby – Playoff Game Log (2009–2010) |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8471675&view=log&season=20092010 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714182719/http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8471675&view=log&season=20092010 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} Game seven was also the last game to be played at Mellon Arena, the Penguins' home rink since the start of the franchise. On July 27, 2010, Crosby joined his mentor from 2005 to 2006, his rookie year Mario Lemieux to be the first to skate on the new ice at the Consol Energy Center. The two skated for about five minutes before being joined on the ice by a group of young hockey fans all wearing Lemieux's 66 or Crosby's 87 jerseys.{{cite news|title=Lemieux and Crosby Christen CONSOL Energy Center Ice Surface |url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534970 |publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins |date=July 27, 2010 |access-date=July 20, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722050815/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534970 |archive-date=July 22, 2015}}

File:Sidney Crosby 200th Goal 2010-11-27.JPG

{{Quote box|width=31%|align=right|quote="When you get a typical injury you're given a time frame, you're gradually working towards getting back ... With concussions there is not generally a time frame or a span where you're feeling better. You feel like you're getting better and it can be one day and you're back to where you started. It's a frustrating injury and one that anyone has gone through can relate. It's a hard one to understand unless you've gone through it".|source=— Crosby on his concussions.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/crosby-discusses-lengthy-recovery-road-from-concussions-safety-of-the-game/article14118504/ |title=Crosby discusses lengthy recovery road from concussions, safety of the game |work=The Globe and Mail |date=September 5, 2013 |access-date=April 24, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304234523/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/crosby-discusses-lengthy-recovery-road-from-concussions-safety-of-the-game/article14118504/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}}}

In the 2010–11 season, Crosby had a 25-game point streak, which began on November 5, 2010, against the Anaheim Ducks and ended on December 28, 2010, against the New York Islanders. During this streak, he had 27 goals (including three hat-tricks) and 24 assists for 51 points. This streak was tied for 11th-longest point streak in NHL history. During this streak, Crosby scored his 200th NHL goal in a 4–1 win over the Calgary Flames on Flames' goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff on November 27 and he was named First Star of the Month in both November and December, respectively.{{cite web|title=Sidney Crosby's Point Streak Ends at 25 Games in Penguins Loss to Rick DiPietro, Islanders |url=http://www.nesn.com/2010/12/sidney-crosbys-point-streak-ends-at-25-games-in-penguins-loss-to-rick-dipietro-islanders.html |publisher=New England Sports Network |date=December 30, 2010 |access-date=February 13, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231222817/http://www.nesn.com/2010/12/sidney-crosbys-point-streak-ends-at-25-games-in-penguins-loss-to-rick-dipietro-islanders.html |archive-date=December 31, 2010 }} On January 3, 2011, Crosby was selected as a 2011 All-Star, along with teammates Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury and Kris Letang.{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=548341 |title=Fans vote Crosby, Malkin, Toews, Letang, Keith and Fleury the first six All-Stars for the 2011 All-Star Game |publisher=National Hockey League |date=January 4, 2011 |access-date=January 4, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107001728/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=548341 |archive-date=January 7, 2011}} However, neither Crosby nor Malkin were available to play in the All-Star Game due to injuries, and rookie Jeff Skinner (along with Paul Stastny) were named as replacements. In consecutive games – the 2011 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2011, against the Washington Capitals and then January 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning – Crosby suffered hits to his head from Dave Steckel and Victor Hedman respectively. After experiencing several concussion symptoms, Crosby did not return for the rest of the season, including the 2011 playoffs, where the fourth-seeded Penguins would lose in seven games in the first round coincidentally to the Lightning, who finished as the fifth seed and surrendered a 3–1 series lead in the process. The Penguins were further crippled when Malkin suffered a torn ACL and MCL on February 4, taking him out for the rest of the season and leaving the Penguins without their two highest-scoring players.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/news/story?id=6181633&source=NHLHeadlines |title=New Jersey Devils' Steckel still sorry for hit on Pens' Crosby |publisher=ESPN |date=March 4, 2011 |access-date=April 12, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629040349/http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nhl/news/story?id=6181633&source=NHLHeadlines |archive-date=June 29, 2011 }} Despite Crosby's injury and subsequent absence for the final 41 games of the season, he finished as the Penguins' leading scorer. His 66 points in 41 games were 16 points ahead of the second-highest team scorer, defenceman Kris Letang.{{cite web|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/stats.htm?season=20102011 |title=2010–2011 Regular Season Stats |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=April 12, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513113638/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/stats.htm?season=20102011 |archive-date=May 13, 2012 }} In so doing, Crosby set an NHL record for fewest games played by an NHL team's points leader.{{cite web|last=Lambert |first=Ryan |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/What-We-Learned-No-sympathy-for-NHL-8217-s-pla?urn=nhl-wp2281#remaining-content |title=What We Learned: No sympathy for NHL's playoff berth chokers |publisher=Yahoo! |date=March 30, 2011 |access-date=April 12, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414125030/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/What-We-Learned-No-sympathy-for-NHL-8217-s-pla?urn=nhl-wp2281 |archive-date=April 14, 2011 }}

Crosby missed the first 20 games of the 2011–12 season due to the lingering effects of his concussion or possibly multiple.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/too-early-for-crosby-retirement-talk-stamkos-1.1065096 |title=Too early for Crosby retirement talk: Stamkos |author=The Canadian Press |website=cbs.ca |publisher=CBS Sports |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=August 30, 2024}} He returned on November 21, 2011, in a game against the New York Islanders, scoring two goals and two assists in a 5–0 shutout for the Penguins.{{cite news|title=Crosby returns to NHL with two goals, two assists |date=November 21, 2011 |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/crosby-returns-to-nhl-with-two-goals-two-assists-1.729133 |work=CTV.ca |access-date=November 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125023543/http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111121/sidneycrosby-penguins-nhl-111121/20111121/?hub=CalgaryHome |archive-date=November 25, 2011 }} However, after playing another seven games – scoring a total of 12 points in eight games – Crosby's concussion-like symptoms returned on December 5, possibly following an elbow hit by Boston Bruins centre David Krejčí in his eighth game of the season. Despite passing a successful ImPACT test, Crosby decided not to return on the ice until he felt perfectly fine, stating that he also must "listen to [his] body".{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/concussion-like-symptoms-force-crosby-out-again/article2268078/ |title=Concussion-like symptoms force Crosby out again |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Wayback Machine |last1=Gelston |first1=Dan |last2=Graves |first2=Will |date=December 12, 2011 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111020314/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/concussion-like-symptoms-force-crosby-out-again/article2268078/ |archive-date=January 11, 2012 }} Crosby returned to action on March 15, 2012, recording two assists on goals by Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis in a 5–2 win against the New York Rangers.{{cite web|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=622430 |title=Endgame: Penguins 5, Rangers 2 |publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins |last=Crechiolo |first=Michelle |date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=March 16, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715045254/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=622430 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 }} Despite only playing 22 games, Crosby recorded eight goals and 29 assists for 37 points. He later credited neurologists at UPMC and chiropractic neurologist Ted Carrick with helping him return to hockey.[http://www.macleans.ca/2011/11/03/rebuilding-crosbys-brain Rebuilding Sidney Crosby's brain. A little-known treatment by a Canadian-born chiropractor to the stars may be the key to his comeback] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226163431/http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/11/03/rebuilding-crosbys-brain/ |date=February 26, 2014 }} , macleans.ca. Retrieved February 23, 2015.{{cite magazine|url=http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1190863/1/index.htm |title=Getting Inside The Head of Sidney Crosby |last=Epstein |first=David |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=October 3, 2011 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302002651/http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1190863/1/index.htm |archive-date=March 2, 2014 }} Crosby's return in advance of the 2012 playoffs resulted in many experts predicting that the Penguins would win their second Stanley Cup title in four years,{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=626836 |title=NHL.com predicts 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs |publisher=National Hockey League |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426193042/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=626836 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 }} and though the Penguins were accordingly picked to oust the Philadelphia Flyers in their first-round series, it was acknowledged that it would be a tough series for both teams.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7772345/experts-picks |title=2012 Stanley Cup playoffs: Experts' picks |date=April 4, 2012 |publisher=ESPN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427113918/http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7772345/experts-picks |archive-date=April 27, 2012 }} The Flyers shocked the Penguins by winning the first three consecutive games, the third of which saw the teams combine for 158 penalty minutes. After an 8–4 loss in game three, Crosby was widely criticized for his conduct during the game,[https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120419121141/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/04/17/sidney-crosby-only-hurting-himself-with-his-antics/ "Crosby only hurting himself with his antics"], National Post, April 17, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2015.[http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_791501.html Sidney Crosby profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212220346/http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_791501.html |date=December 12, 2013 }}, triblive.com. Retrieved February 23, 2015. and for his testy post-game interview. When asked about an incident where Flyers winger Jakub Voráček had dropped his glove and Crosby swatted it away with his stick before Voráček could pick it up, Crosby replied, saying, "I don't like any guy on their team there, so his glove was near me, went to pick it up, and I pushed it, so yeah, that's... [...] I don't like them. Because I don't like them. I don't like... I don't like any guy on their team."{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo6nq_JuhA8 |title=Sidney Crosby Post Game Interview Game 3 Pens @ Flyers |date=April 15, 2012 |via=YouTube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520032956/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo6nq_JuhA8 |archive-date=May 20, 2015 }} When the interviewer suggested that he could have skated away, Crosby replied, "Skate away? Yeah, well, I didn't that time."[https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/sidney-crosby-gets-testy-flyers-win-don-t-025712917.html "Sidney Crosby gets testy"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413084103/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/sidney-crosby-gets-testy-flyers-win-don-t-025712917.html |date=April 13, 2016 }}, Yahoo!. Retrieved February 23, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/opinion/2012/04/crosby-centre-of-attention-in-wrong-way.html |title=Crosby, Centre of attention in wrong way |website=cbc.ca |publisher=CBC |author=Elliotte Friedman |date=April 15, 2012 |access-date=March 5, 2025}} The Penguins went on to win the next two games, but ultimately lost the series in game six. Crosby finished with three goals and five assists for eight points in all six games.

File:2011-12-03 Sid Pensive.JPG

On June 28, 2012, the Penguins announced that Crosby agreed to a 12-year, $104.4 million contract extension set to keep Crosby in Pittsburgh through to the end of the 2024–25 NHL season.{{cite news|title=Sidney Crosby to sign 12-year, $104.4M extension |date=June 28, 2012 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-signs-12-year-104-4m-us-extension-1.1235232 |access-date=June 28, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630121420/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2012/06/28/sp-nhl-hockey-sidney-crosby-signs-pittsburgh-penguins.html |archive-date=June 30, 2012 }} The start of the 2012–13 season was postponed until January 2013 due to the owners locking out the players as negotiations took place to solidify a new collective agreement for the players. During this time, Crosby was a regular attendee of meetings taking place between National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) representatives and NHL owners. The lock-out began on September 15, 2012, and ended on January 6, 2013, with the NHL regular season beginning on January 19.{{cite web|last1=The Canadian Press |title=NHL Lockout Over as Memorandum of Understanding Signed |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=413376 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183152/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=413376 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} During the 119-day lock-out, Crosby was often questioned about his future plans should the lockout persist, and said on more than one occasion that he was considering contract offers from various teams in European leagues (where many NHL players went so that they could continue playing in a professional capacity while waiting for the lock-out to end or for the NHL season to be officially cancelled). Crosby continued to practice and participated with other NHL players who did not go overseas in several exhibition games open to the public.{{cite news|last1=Molinari |first1=Dave |title=Crosby Delays Decisions |url=http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins-penguins-blog/2012/12/18/Crosby-delays-decision.html |access-date=July 12, 2014 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=December 18, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707081520/http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins-penguins-blog/2012/12/18/Crosby-delays-decision.html |archive-date=July 7, 2015 }} With the season finally underway in January 2013, Crosby set the pace for scoring, totalling 31 points (nine goals and 22 assists) through the first 21 games. He remained hot through March, scoring another 25 points (six goals and 19 assists) in 15 games as the Penguins went unbeaten over this stretch. However, his regular season came to an abrupt end on March 30 in a home game against the New York Islanders. Crosby's teammate Brooks Orpik unleashed a slapshot which caught Crosby in the mouth, causing the centreman to lose several teeth. Crosby was down on the ice for several minutes before the medical staff was able to help him to the dressing room with Crosby holding a towel over his face. Initially, the prognosis was not severe, but it was discovered a short while later that Crosby had broken his jaw and would require several rounds of reconstructive dental surgery.{{cite news|last1=Mirtle |first1=James |title=The Inside Story of Crosby's Gruesome Facial Injury |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/the-inside-story-of-crosbys-gruesome-facial-injury/article12282327/ |access-date=July 12, 2014 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=May 30, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506031228/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/the-inside-story-of-crosbys-gruesome-facial-injury/article12282327/ |archive-date=May 6, 2015 }} He missed the final 12 games of the regular season and finished fourth in the scoring race, losing the title to Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis by four points.{{cite web|title=2012–2013 – Regular Season – Skater – Summary – Points |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20122013&gameType=2&team=&position=S&country=&status=&viewName=summary |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125620/http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20122013&gameType=2&team=&position=S&country=&status=&viewName=summary |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} Crosby returned to the ice May 5 for the Penguins' second game against their first-round playoff opponents, the New York Islanders, ironically, the team who Pittsburgh played when Crosby was injured weeks prior. Despite two goals from Crosby, Pittsburgh lost 3–2, tying the series at one game apiece.{{cite news|last1=Graves|first1=Will|title=Sidney Crosby's return can't save Pittsburgh Penguins from pesky New York Islanders|url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/05/03/okposos-late-goal-spoils-crosbys-return-islanders-rally-by-penguins-4-3/|access-date=July 12, 2014|issue=May 3, 2014|work=National Post|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715110153/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/05/03/okposos-late-goal-spoils-crosbys-return-islanders-rally-by-penguins-4-3/|archive-date=July 15, 2014}} The top-seeded Penguins would ultimately prevail 4–2 in the series over the eighth-seeded Islanders with Crosby scoring nine points (three goals and six assists) in the five games in which he played.{{cite news|last1=Kreda |first1=Allan |title=Islanders Put on a Show, but Then the Penguins Drop the Curtain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/12/sports/hockey/penguins-beat-islanders-in-overtime-and-win-series.html|access-date=July 12, 2014 |work=The New York Times |date=May 11, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802114347/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/12/sports/hockey/penguins-beat-islanders-in-overtime-and-win-series.html?_r=0 |archive-date=August 2, 2013 }} Crosby and the Penguins moved on to face the Ottawa Senators in the second round, with Crosby scoring a hat-trick in game two of the series. Pittsburgh quickly defeated Ottawa four games to one in the series with a still-hot Crosby finishing the series with four goals and two assists. The Eastern Conference finals came down to what many felt were the two best teams in the conference: Pittsburgh and Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask put on an outstanding performance, shutting down Pittsburgh's potent offence with the help of a stifling defensive effort from his teammates. The Penguins were held to just two goals in the series, with Rask stopping 134 of 136 shots on goal (.985%). Crosby, who was strong for the Penguins in the regular season and through the first two rounds of the playoffs was held off the score sheet entirely, finishing the series with no goals and no assists on 13 shots within the four games as the Bruins swept the Penguins in four-straight games.{{cite news|last1=Garrioch|first1=Bruce|title=Penguins, built to win Stanley Cup, wimper out of playoffs|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/08/penguins-built-to-win-stanley-cup-wimper-out-of-playoffs|access-date=July 12, 2014|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812101912/http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/08/penguins-built-to-win-stanley-cup-wimper-out-of-playoffs|url-status=live}} In the off-season, Crosby was awarded his second Ted Lindsay Award and finished as runner-up to the Hart Memorial Trophy and Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.{{cite web|title=2012–13 NHL Awards Recap |url=http://www.nhlpa.com/news/2012-13-nhl-awards-recap |website=nhlpa.com |access-date=July 5, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706074118/http://www.nhlpa.com/news/2012-13-nhl-awards-recap |archive-date=July 6, 2015 }}

File:Zdeno Chára 2013-06-07.JPG captain Zdeno Chára following Pittsburgh's elimination from the 2013 playoffs and Boston's four-game sweep over them in the Eastern Conference finals.]]

Crosby put together a healthy and productive campaign in 2013–14, playing 80 games for the first time since the 2009–10 season. Crosby finished the season with 36 goals and a league-leading 68 assists, marking the first time in his career that he led the league in assists. He also finished with a league-high 104 points, winning the Art Ross Trophy for the second time in his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/11131164/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-named-nhl-mvp-2nd |title=Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh Penguins named NHL MVP for 2nd time |date=June 25, 2014 |publisher=ESPN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625085540/http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/11131164/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-named-nhl-mvp-2nd |archive-date=June 25, 2014 }} He also went on to win the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.{{cite web|title=NHL Awards: Sidney Crosby wins Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-awards-sidney-crosby-wins-hart-trophy-ted-lindsay-award-1.2686341 |access-date=May 18, 2015 |agency=Associated Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724144343/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-awards-sidney-crosby-wins-hart-trophy-ted-lindsay-award-1.2686341 |archive-date=July 24, 2015}} Finishing first overall in the Metropolitan Division, the Penguins were matched-up with a new division rival, the Columbus Blue Jackets, in the first round of the 2014 playoffs. Despite a very back-and-forth series and not a single goal by Crosby, the Penguins defeated the Jackets in six games to advance to a second-round matchup with the New York Rangers. Going into their second-round series with the Rangers, Crosby looked to end a long playoff goal drought, which dated back to the 2013 conference finals against the Boston Bruins. After dropping the first game at home, Crosby broke his goal drought in game two as the Pens tied the series at 1–1 heading back to Madison Square Garden. The Penguins would capitalize on their game two win, taking the next two games and eliminating the Rangers' home-ice advantage. However, the Rangers rebounded, winning games 5, 6 and 7, sending the Penguins home without a prize for the fifth straight season and surrendering a 3–1 series lead. The team's collapse prompted Penguins ownership to fire general manager Ray Shero, replacing him with Jim Rutherford, the former general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes. Rutherford's first action as GM was to fire Dan Bylsma as head coach, and on June 25, he announced that Mike Johnston was the new head coach.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24564341/report-penguins-fire-head-coach-dan-bylsma-gm-ray-shero |title=Penguins fire Ray Shero, new GM to decide Dan Bylsma's fate |work=CBS Sports |access-date=May 16, 2014 |date=May 16, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517114409/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24564341/report-penguins-fire-head-coach-dan-bylsma-gm-ray-shero |archive-date=May 17, 2014 }}

Crosby finished the 2014–15 season with the highest point-per-game average and a total of 84 points (28 goals, 56 assists), trailing only New York Islanders centre and captain John Tavares (86 points) and Art Ross winner and Dallas Stars winger and captain Jamie Benn (87 points).{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=772056 |title=Stars' Jamie Benn wins Art Ross Trophy |publisher=National Hockey League |date=June 24, 2015 |author=NHL Public Relations |access-date=July 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627131359/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=772056 |archive-date=June 27, 2015 }} On November 26, 2014, Crosby scored his 800th career point against the Toronto Maple Leafs, becoming the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to reach that milestone. On April 1, 2015, in a game against goaltender Steve Mason of the Philadelphia Flyers, Crosby scored his 300th career NHL goal.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=761040 |title=Penguins' Crosby scores 300th NHL goal |publisher=National Hockey League |date=January 4, 2015 |author=Wes Crosby |access-date=July 20, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709193306/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=761040 |archive-date=July 9, 2015 }} Despite a strong start to the season, the injury-plagued Penguins narrowly entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference's second wild card and eighth seed, beating the Boston Bruins by two points in the standings for the eighth and last playoff spot.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=774778 |title=Penguins add to staff after injury-plagued season |publisher=National Hockey League |date=July 14, 2015 |access-date=July 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717145203/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=774778 |archive-date=July 17, 2015 }} Facing the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the opening round of the 2015 playoffs, Crosby helped even the series with two goals in game two on Rangers' goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-pit/2015/04/18/2014030132 |title=Crosby helps Penguins even series with Rangers |publisher=National Hockey League |date=April 19, 2015 |author=Dan Rosen |access-date=July 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710222636/http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030132 |archive-date=July 10, 2015 }} Despite this, the Penguins were defeated by the Rangers in five games and was eliminated in the first round for the first time since the 2012 playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-pit/2015/04/24/2014030135 |title=Hagelin, Rangers edge Penguins in OT, win series |publisher=National Hockey League |date=April 25, 2015 |author=Dan Rosen |access-date=July 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716075700/http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030135 |archive-date=July 16, 2015 }}

File:Sidney Crosby 2016-04-28 2.JPG

In the 2015 off-season, the Penguins went through a major overhaul of their roster, adding a number of offensive players such as acquiring winger Phil Kessel from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a line-up laced with some of the world's finest offensive talents, Crosby struggled to score points, as he and the team had for much of the Johnston era. By the time Johnston was fired on December 12, 2015, after posting a 15–10–3 record through 28 games, some media outlets began speculating that Crosby had aged out of his prime scoring years.{{cite web|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=792317 |title=Mike Sullivan Named Head Coach of Pittsburgh Penguins |date=December 12, 2015 |access-date=December 12, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215004716/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=792317 |archive-date=December 15, 2015 }}{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/how-much-was-sidney-crosby-hurt-by-coach-mike-johnston---trending-topics-214158198.html |title=How much was Sidney Crosby hurt by coach Mike Johnston? |date=January 8, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114002436/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/how-much-was-sidney-crosby-hurt-by-coach-mike-johnston---trending-topics-214158198.html |archive-date=January 14, 2016 }} On December 16, The Washington Post wrote, "Sidney Crosby has widely been regarded as the NHL's best player since he burst on the scene as a rookie in 2005 ... But Crosby just hasn't been himself this season, scoring just six goals and 13 assists for 19 points in the first 29 games and sitting with a plus/minus of minus-seven. All players go through slumps, but it is clear that the Crosby we knew has been on the decline for some time."{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2015/12/16/if-sidney-crosby-isnt-the-nhls-no-1-player-who-is/ |title=If Sidney Crosby isn't the NHL's No. 1 player, who is? |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229030146/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2015/12/16/if-sidney-crosby-isnt-the-nhls-no-1-player-who-is/ |archive-date=December 29, 2015 }} His slow start was capped off by not being selected as a starter for the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/crosby-nhl-all-star-rosters-1.3391836 |title=Sidney Crosby left off roster for NHL All-Star Game |date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=June 4, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625114413/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/crosby-nhl-all-star-rosters-1.3391836 |archive-date=June 25, 2016 }} However, under new head coach Mike Sullivan, the 28-year-old turned his season around, outscoring all NHL players from December 12 through the end of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-reclaims-place-among-greats-slow-start/ |title=Sidney Crosby reclaims place among greats after slow start |date=March 31, 2016 |access-date=April 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403053659/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-reclaims-place-among-greats-slow-start/ |archive-date=April 3, 2016 }} On February 2, Crosby scored three-straight goals against the Ottawa Senators for his first natural hat-trick in more than five years.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/crosby-hat-trick-lifts-penguins-over-senators-1.3431040 |title=Sidney Crosby hat trick lifts Penguins over Senators |date=February 2, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204205636/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/crosby-hat-trick-lifts-penguins-over-senators-1.3431040 |archive-date=February 4, 2016 }} Four days later, Crosby scored his 900th, 901st and 902nd career NHL points to fuel a 3–2 overtime comeback victory over the Florida Panthers.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-900-points-comeback-win-1.3437475 |title=Sidney Crosby surpasses 900-point mark in comeback win |date=February 6, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207052521/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-900-points-comeback-win-1.3437475 |archive-date=February 7, 2016 }} He tallied at least one point in 15 of Pittsburgh's 16 games in March, including six multi-point efforts, and was subsequently named the NHL's First Star of the Month.{{cite web|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=876612 |title=Sidney Crosby Named NHL First Star for March |date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=April 2, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513022158/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=876612 |archive-date=May 13, 2016 }} On April 2, Crosby recorded his 600th NHL assist as the Penguins clinched their berth in the 2016 playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-berth-stanley-cup-playoffs-nhl/c-280085310 |title=Penguins overcame a lot to make playoffs |date=April 2, 2016 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419075839/https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-berth-stanley-cup-playoffs-nhl/c-280085310 |archive-date=April 19, 2016 }} Six days later, he scored in overtime against the Washington Capitals to secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Crosby finished the 2015–16 season with 36 goals, 49 assists and 85 points in 80 games, including a career-high nine game-winning goals, and was voted team MVP for the sixth time in his career.{{cite web|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=876691 |title=Sidney Crosby Named Penguins' Team MVP |date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=April 5, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602073953/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=876691 |archive-date=June 2, 2016}} His two-way game also received league-wide praise, with Hockey Hall of Fame head coach Scotty Bowman stating that Crosby would be a good candidate for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward.{{cite web|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=877518 |title=Bowman: Crosby Would Be Good Selke Candidate |date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=April 9, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617203601/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=877518 |archive-date=June 17, 2016}} Crosby's comeback also impressed Wayne Gretzky, who said, "He had a tough start, but the sign of an elite athlete is a guy that battles through it. He didn't point any fingers, he just battled through it, and I don't think there is any question the last 40 or so games, he made a case for the MVP. He was that good. He went to another level."{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-talks-alex-ovechkin-and-sidney-crosby/c-280503624 |title=Bowman: Gretzky excited for Ovechkin vs. Crosby |date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=April 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605114429/https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-talks-alex-ovechkin-and-sidney-crosby/c-280503624 |archive-date=June 5, 2016 }} On May 7, Crosby was named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy which was eventually given to Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane.{{cite web|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=881886 |title=Sidney Crosby Named a Finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy |date=May 7, 2016 |access-date=May 7, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510050704/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=881886 |archive-date=May 10, 2016 }} He finished as the first runner-up with 800 points and 11 first-place votes.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-kings-capitals-have-big-night-at-awards/c-281020860 |title=Blackhawks, Kings, Capitals have big night at Awards |date=June 23, 2016 |access-date=June 23, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623153308/https://www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-kings-capitals-have-big-night-at-awards/c-281020860 |archive-date=June 23, 2016 }} After losing to New York Rangers in the past two playoffs, the Penguins eliminated the Rangers in the first round, winning in five games, after losing to the Rangers by the same series margin in the first round the previous year. Crosby led the team in scoring with three goals and five assists for eight points in the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/sports/hockey/penguins-eliminate-rangers-in-game-5-rout.html|title=Penguins Eliminate Nemesis Rangers in Game 5 Rout |website=The New York Times |date=April 23, 2016 |access-date=April 24, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427104217/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/sports/hockey/penguins-eliminate-rangers-in-game-5-rout.html?_r=0 |archive-date=April 27, 2016 }} The Penguins then eliminated the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in six games, without much offensive production from either Crosby (two assists) or Malkin (one goal and one assist).{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/ovechkin-capitals-eliminated-in-second-round/c-280630822 |title=Ovechkin, Capitals again fail to reach East Final |date=May 11, 2016 |access-date=May 17, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512102618/https://www.nhl.com/news/ovechkin-capitals-eliminated-in-second-round/c-280630822 |archive-date=May 12, 2016 }} Advancing to their first conference finals since 2013, Crosby scored the overtime winner against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game two. The goal was scored 40 seconds into overtime on Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy for a 3–2 win, the fastest overtime goal in Penguins' playoff history, and the first of his career in the playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-2-recap/c-280716336 |title=Crosby lifts Penguins to OT win in Game 2 |date=May 17, 2016 |access-date=May 17, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616173806/https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-2-recap/c-280716336 |archive-date=June 16, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/sidney-crosby-penguins-lightning-game-2-1.3585329 |title=Sidney Crosby scores 1st playoff OT winner of his career |date=May 17, 2016 |access-date=May 17, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519000931/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/sidney-crosby-penguins-lightning-game-2-1.3585329 |archive-date=May 19, 2016 }} In the following game, he scored the game-winning goal in a 4–2 victory.{{cite web|url=http://thehockeywriters.com/stars-beginning-to-align-pens-finding-their-stride/ |title=Stars Beginning to Align; Pens Finding Their Stride |date=May 19, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520003603/http://thehockeywriters.com/stars-beginning-to-align-pens-finding-their-stride/ |archive-date=May 20, 2016 }} After dropping the next two games, Crosby scored his third game-winning goal of the series on Vasilevskiy in game six, forcing a final game in Pittsburgh.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-6-recap/c-280796918 |title=Penguins win Game 6, extend series |date=May 25, 2016 |access-date=May 25, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624180659/https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-6-recap/c-280796918 |archive-date=June 24, 2016 }} Defeating the Lightning 2–1 in game seven, Crosby helped his team win the Eastern Conference championship, advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals against the San Jose Sharks and prevent the Lightning from clinching a second consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals of their own.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-beat-lightning-head-to-stanley-cup-final/c-280816740 |title=Penguins defeat Lightning, Stamkos in Game 7 |date=May 27, 2016 |access-date=May 27, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630161119/https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-beat-lightning-head-to-stanley-cup-final/c-280816740 |archive-date=June 30, 2016 }} In the Finals, the Penguins defeated the Sharks in six games to earn Crosby his second Stanley Cup title. He became the ninth player to win the Stanley Cup twice as well as two Olympic gold medals.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-legacy-lifted-by-second-stanley-cup/c-280923982 |title=Second Stanley Cup lifts Crosby's legacy |publisher=National Hockey League |date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2016 |author=Rosen, Dan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813082015/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-legacy-lifted-by-second-stanley-cup/c-280923982 |archive-date=August 13, 2016 }} Finishing the playoffs with 19 points (six goals and 13 assists), including the primary helper on the Cup-winning goal scored by Kris Letang, Crosby was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs.{{cite web|last=Rosen |first=Dan |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-wins-conn-smythe-trophy/c-280948120 |title=Crosby wins Conn Smythe Trophy |publisher=National Hockey League |date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=June 13, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813061405/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-wins-conn-smythe-trophy/c-280948120 |archive-date=August 13, 2016 }}

File:Sidney Crosby with Conn Smythe Trophy 2017-06-11 2.jpg

Crosby missed the first six games of the 2016–17 season after being diagnosed with a concussion in practice just a few days before the season opener against the Washington Capitals.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-concussion-1.3798949 |title=Sidney Crosby diagnosed with concussion |date=October 10, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021002054/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-concussion-1.3798949 |archive-date=October 21, 2016 }} Upon his return, he scored 30 goals in his first 45 games, and on February 16, 2017, he registered an assist on a Chris Kunitz goal against the Winnipeg Jets to reach 1,000 NHL points, doing so in just his 757th game to become the 12th-fastest (and 11th-youngest) player to reach that milestone.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/02/16/sidney-crosby-1000-points-pittsburgh-penguins/97715398/ |title=Penguins' Sidney Crosby becomes 11th youngest to reach 1,000 points |website=USA Today |date=February 16, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217014244/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/02/16/sidney-crosby-1000-points-pittsburgh-penguins/97715398/ |archive-date=February 17, 2017 }} He also participated in his first NHL All-Star Game since 2007, winning the shooting accuracy segment of the Skills Competition.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/28/sports/hockey/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-nhl-all-star.html |title=Sidney Crosby Stands Out as the New All-Stars Gather |website=The New York Times |date=January 28, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131155507/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/28/sports/hockey/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-nhl-all-star.html |archive-date=January 31, 2017 }} He was named team MVP and finished the season with 89 points (44 goals, 45 assists) in 75 contests played. His 89 points tied with Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane as the runner(s) up for the Art Ross Trophy. It marked the eighth time he finished a season in the top-three in NHL scoring, tying Mario Lemieux, Stan Mikita and Phil Esposito for the third-most instances in history behind only Wayne Gretzky (15 times) and Gordie Howe (12 times).{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/crosby-goal-leader/c-288637520 |title=Crosby Finishes as the NHL's Leading Goal Scorer |date=April 10, 2017 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410215628/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/crosby-goal-leader/c-288637520 |archive-date=April 10, 2017 }} With his 44 goals, Crosby captured the Rocket Richard Trophy for the second time in his career.{{cite web|url=http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/04/09/mcdavid-wins-art-ross-crosby-wins-rocket-richard-trophy/ |title=McDavid wins Art Ross; Crosby wins Rocket Richard Trophy |date=April 10, 2017 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410215416/http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/04/09/mcdavid-wins-art-ross-crosby-wins-rocket-richard-trophy/ |archive-date=April 10, 2017 }} Crosby was also named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award with both awards eventually going to Edmonton Oilers centre and captain Connor McDavid.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/sidney-crosby-2017-nhl-awards-ted-lindsay-finalist/c-289228770|title=Sidney Crosby Named a Finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award|date=May 2, 2017|access-date=May 3, 2017|archive-date=July 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703004034/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/sidney-crosby-2017-nhl-awards-ted-lindsay-finalist/c-289228770|url-status=live}} Entering the 2017 playoffs as the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Penguins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets in five games before meeting the back to back Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in the second round for the second consecutive year.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/04/20/penguins-eliminate-blue-jackets-with-5-2-win-in-game-5/100728080/ |title=Penguins eliminate Blue Jackets with 5-2 win in Game 5 |website=USA Today |date=April 20, 2017 |access-date=May 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422102709/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/04/20/penguins-eliminate-blue-jackets-with-5-2-win-in-game-5/100728080/ |archive-date=April 22, 2017 }} After winning the first two games on the road, Crosby sustained a concussion after suffering an injury from a slash and cross-check from both Alexander Ovechkin and Matt Niskanen in game three.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19294506/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-game-4-concussion |title=Penguins' Sidney Crosby out for Game 4 with concussion |date=May 2, 2017 |access-date=May 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503055159/http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19294506/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-game-4-concussion |archive-date=May 3, 2017 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-matt-niskanen-alex-ovechkin-paul-coffey-hit-cross-check-penguins-capitals/|title=Paul Coffey: NHL must look at Ovechkin's 'brutal' stick on Crosby|date=May 2, 2017|access-date=May 3, 2017|archive-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713095059/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-matt-niskanen-alex-ovechkin-paul-coffey-hit-cross-check-penguins-capitals/|url-status=live}} He missed game four but returned to practice the next day and played in game five. The Penguins eventually eliminated the Capitals in game seven, with Crosby assisting on the series-winning goal by Bryan Rust.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins-washington-capitals-game-7-1.4109397 |title=Penguins again shatter Capitals' Cup dream, Senators up next |date=May 11, 2017 |access-date=May 11, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511024023/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins-washington-capitals-game-7-1.4109397 |archive-date=May 11, 2017 }} The Penguins then defeated the Ottawa Senators in a gruelling seven-game series to secure their second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Crosby had the primary assist on the series-clinching goal, scored by Chris Kunitz in double overtime.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/05/25/penguins-senators-analysis-game-7-double-ot-advance-stanley-cup-final/102167120/ |title=Penguins beat Senators in 2OT of Game 7 to return to Stanley Cup Final |website=USA Today |date=May 25, 2017 |access-date=May 26, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526090741/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/05/25/penguins-senators-analysis-game-7-double-ot-advance-stanley-cup-final/102167120/ |archive-date=May 26, 2017 }} Facing the eighth-seeded Nashville Predators in the Finals, Pittsburgh jumped out to a two-game lead, despite being outplayed for long stretches in both games. The Predators responded by tying up the series, winning games three and four at home.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/gallery/the-stanley-cup-final-starts-anew-with-a-pivotal-game-5-060817|title=The Stanley Cup Final starts anew with a pivotal Game 5|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=June 10, 2017|archive-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713170258/http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/gallery/the-stanley-cup-final-starts-anew-with-a-pivotal-game-5-060817|url-status=live}} In game five, the Penguins' captain delivered a dominant performance, adding three assists in a 6–0 win to pass Lemieux for most Stanley Cup Finals points (20) in franchise history.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/08/penguins-predators-stanley-cup-final-game-five |title=Penguins one win from second straight Stanley Cup after thrashing Predators|website=TheGuardian.com|date=June 9, 2017 |access-date=June 10, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609165537/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/08/penguins-predators-stanley-cup-final-game-five |archive-date=June 9, 2017 }} After defeating the Predators 2–0 in game six, the Penguins became the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the 1997–98 Detroit Red Wings, and the first to do so in the salary cap era (since 2005–06). Crosby also won his second consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs, only the third player to do so after Bernie Parent (1974, 1975) and Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992). He finished second in scoring behind Evgeni Malkin with 27 points (eight goals and 19 assists) in 24 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-nashville-predators-game-6-recap/c-289884970 |title=Penguins repeat Stanley Cup with Game 6 win against Predators|date=June 12, 2017|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812101956/https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-nashville-predators-game-6-recap/c-289884970 |url-status=live}}

File:Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin 2017-10-04 16978 (2).jpg (left) in October 2017. They became the cornerstone players of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the mid-2000s, earning the nickname "The Two-Headed Monster".{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/rise-of-the-two-headed-monster/c-496407 | title=Rise of the Two-Headed Monster | date=December 2, 2008 | access-date=May 12, 2017 | archive-date=July 3, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703004034/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/rise-of-the-two-headed-monster/c-496407 | url-status=live }}]]

In the 2017–18 season, Crosby appeared in all 82 of Pittsburgh's regular season games for the first time in his career, finishing with 29 goals and 60 assists for 89 points.{{cite web|url=http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/13507643-74/penguins-notebook-sidney-crosby-3-others-log-82-game-seasons|title=Penguins notebook: Sidney Crosby, 3 others log 82-game seasons|date=April 6, 2018|access-date=April 9, 2018|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073139/http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/13507643-74/penguins-notebook-sidney-crosby-3-others-log-82-game-seasons|url-status=live}} On February 11, 2018, he scored his 400th NHL goal against Jake Allen of the St. Louis Blues, becoming the 95th player in NHL history to reach the milestone as the Penguins defeated the Blues 4–1.{{cite web|title=Crosby scores 400th NHL goal for Penguins|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-scores-400th-nhl-goal-vs-blues/c-295853122|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=February 13, 2018|date=April 9, 2018|archive-date=February 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213195345/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-scores-400th-nhl-goal-vs-blues/c-295853122|url-status=live}} On March 21, he recorded his 700th career NHL assist on a Jake Guentzel goal in a 5–3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.{{cite web|title=Crosby gets 700th NHL assist in Penguins win|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-sidney-crosby-reaches-milestone/c-297186722|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=April 9, 2018|date=March 21, 2018|archive-date=March 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322143155/https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-sidney-crosby-reaches-milestone/c-297186722|url-status=live}} The Penguins began their 2018 playoff campaign against their inner-state rival, the Philadelphia Flyers. In game one of the Battle of Pennsylvania, Crosby recorded a natural hat-trick in a 7–0 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/philadelphia-flyers-pittsburgh-penguins-game-1-recap/c-297904708|title=Crosby has hat trick for Penguins in Game 1 win against Flyers|last=Crosby|first=Wes|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 11, 2018|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=April 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043144/https://www.nhl.com/news/philadelphia-flyers-pittsburgh-penguins-game-1-recap/c-297904708|url-status=live}} On April 18, in game four, Crosby passed Mario Lemieux as the Penguins' all-time playoff points leader with 173.{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Mike|title=Crosby passes Lemieux on Penguins' all-time playoff points list|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/crosby-passes-lemieux-penguins-time-playoff-points-list/|website=sportsnet.ca|access-date=April 19, 2018|date=April 18, 2018|archive-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419183445/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/crosby-passes-lemieux-penguins-time-playoff-points-list/|url-status=live}} The Penguins ultimately defeated the fifth-seeded Flyers in six games, with Crosby recording six goals and seven assists for 13 points.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-philadelphia-flyers-game-6-recap/c-298195432|title=Penguins eliminate Flyers in Game 6 behind four goals from Guentzel|last=Kimelman|first=Adam|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 22, 2018|access-date=April 22, 2018|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423170105/https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-philadelphia-flyers-game-6-recap/c-298195432|url-status=live}} After the series, retired Hockey Hall of Fame centre Bryan Trottier said of Crosby, "Sid has a wonderful gift to maintain his composure and not get rattled. You like the emotion he shows, too. I think he fires his team up, and that's why he's wearing the 'C' [for captain]."{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-searching-for-third-consecutive-stanley-cup/c-298226604|title=Trottier sees similarities between current Penguins and 1982 Islanders|last=Madden|first=Mark|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 24, 2018|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425115617/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-searching-for-third-consecutive-stanley-cup/c-298226604|url-status=live}} The Penguins were eventually eliminated in game six of the second round by the second-seeded and eventual Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals with Capitals' centre Evgeny Kuznetsov scoring the winning goal in overtime. Crosby finished with 21 points (nine goals and 12 assists) in all 12 games, pushing his career playoff total to 185, tied with Steve Yzerman for tenth-most all-time.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-bid-for-three-peat-ends-against-capitals/c-298515990 |title=Penguins' bid for three-peat ends against Capitals|last=Myers|first=Tracy|publisher=National Hockey League|date=May 8, 2018|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509012547/https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-bid-for-three-peat-ends-against-capitals/c-298515990? |url-status=live}}

On December 31, 2018, Crosby played his 900th NHL game in a 3–2 win over the Minnesota Wild, becoming the second player in Penguins history to reach the mark.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401044923/penguins-wild |title=Crosby, Kessel keep Penguins rolling with 3-2 win over Wild |website=ESPN |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=December 31, 2018 |access-date=March 29, 2024}} On January 3, 2019, Crosby was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game for the eighth time in his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/sidney-crosby-all-star/c-303485532|title=Pens Captain Sidney Crosby Chosen to Play in the 2019 NHL All-Star Game|publisher=National Hockey League|date=January 3, 2019|access-date=January 6, 2019|archive-date=January 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106153425/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/sidney-crosby-all-star/c-303485532|url-status=live}} He scored four goals and four assists, helping the Metropolitan Division to victory; his efforts won him his first All-Star MVP award, making him the sixth in NHL history to have won that award after having won the Conn Smythe Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy.{{Cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/sidney-crosby-finally-wins-nhl-050357380.html |title=Sidney Crosby finally wins NHL All-Star MVP |date=January 27, 2019 |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152743/https://sports.yahoo.com/sidney-crosby-finally-wins-nhl-050357380.html |url-status=dead }} During the 2018–19 season, Crosby passed Mario Lemieux to become the Penguins' all-time leader in games played (916), and moved into second place on the Pens' all-time scoring list with his 440th career goal in a 5–1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on March 3.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-built-own-legacy-for-pittsburgh-penguins/c-304637822|title=Crosby has created own legacy with Penguins|publisher=National Hockey League|date=February 10, 2019|access-date=February 10, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011353/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-built-own-legacy-for-pittsburgh-penguins/c-304637822|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins-montreal-canadiens-recap-1.5040675|title=Crosby's 4-point night steers Penguins clear of Canadiens in rout|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=March 3, 2019|access-date=March 3, 2019|archive-date=March 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305072927/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins-montreal-canadiens-recap-1.5040675|url-status=live}} Two days later, he became the 48th player in NHL history to score at least 1,200 career points against the Florida Panthers.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/guentzels-ot-winner-lifts-penguins-panthers/|title=Guentzel's OT winner lifts Penguins over Panthers|publisher=sportsnet.ca|date=March 5, 2019|access-date=March 5, 2019|archive-date=March 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307000806/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/guentzels-ot-winner-lifts-penguins-panthers/|url-status=live}} He finished the season with 100 points (35 goals and 65 assists), the first time he has reached the 100-point mark since scoring 104 points in 2013–14.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/penguins-sidney-crosby-sixth-player-to-score-100-this-year/|title=Penguins' Sidney Crosby: Sixth player to score 100 this year|publisher=cbssports.com|date=April 7, 2019|access-date=April 7, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407135949/https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/penguins-sidney-crosby-sixth-player-to-score-100-this-year/|url-status=live}} Crosby finished 4th in voting for the Selke Trophy and became a Hart Trophy finalist for the seventh time in his career as the Selke eventually went to St. Louis Blues centre Ryan O'Reilly and the Hart getting awarded to Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2019/06/19/nhl-awards-lightning-nikita-kucherov-hart-trophy-mvp/1506152001/|title=Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov is voted MVP of the NHL at awards show|last=Brehm|first=Mike|date=June 19, 2019|work=USA Today|access-date=June 27, 2019|archive-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620222119/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2019/06/19/nhl-awards-lightning-nikita-kucherov-hart-trophy-mvp/1506152001/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=O'Reilly of Blues wins Selke Trophy |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-ryan-oreilly-selke-trophy-winner/c-307913544 |website=nhl.com |access-date=May 29, 2020 |date=June 19, 2019}} He was also elected team-MVP.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/penguins-sidney-crosby-finalist-for-hart-trophy/|title=Penguins' Sidney Crosby: Finalist for Hart Trophy|publisher=cbssports.com|date=April 28, 2019|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501115039/https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/penguins-sidney-crosby-finalist-for-hart-trophy/|url-status=live}}

Crosby was selected to the NHL All-Decade First Team in January 2020.{{cite web |title=Crosby, Kane, Ovechkin among those selected to NHL All-Decade First Team |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-patrick-kane-alex-ovechkin-duncan-keith-drew-doughty-marc-andre-fleury-nhl-2010s-all-decade-team/c-314225404 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=February 16, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126174216/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-patrick-kane-alex-ovechkin-duncan-keith-drew-doughty-marc-andre-fleury-nhl-2010s-all-decade-team/c-314225404 |url-status=live }} The Penguins finished fifth in the Eastern Conference in the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2019–20 season, facing the 12th-seeded Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference qualifying round. The Canadiens upset the Penguins in four games, eliminating Pittsburgh on August 7, 2020, Crosby's 33rd birthday.{{cite web |url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/08/07/canadiens-eliminate-penguins-in-game-4-win-series-3-1/ |title=Canadiens Advance in Game 4 as Penguins End Season with a Whimper |last=O'Brien |first=James |date=August 7, 2020 |website=NBC Sports |access-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127142147/https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/08/07/canadiens-eliminate-penguins-in-game-4-win-series-3-1/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2020/08/07/sidney-crosby-gets-eliminated-on-his-birthday/ |title=Sidney Crosby gets Eliminated on his Birthday |last=Oland |first=Ian |date=August 7, 2020 |website=Russian Machine Never Breaks |access-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304003124/https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2020/08/07/sidney-crosby-gets-eliminated-on-his-birthday/ |url-status=live }}

In the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Crosby led the team in scoring with 62 points (24 goals and 38 assists), and was the recipient of the team's MVP Award and the Players' Player Award.{{cite web |title=Crosby Named Penguins' 2020-21 Team MVP and Players' Player Award Winner |date=May 6, 2021 |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/crosby-named-penguins-2020-21-team-mvp-and-players-player-award-winner/c-324413678 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507043858/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/crosby-named-penguins-2020-21-team-mvp-and-players-player-award-winner/c-324413678 |url-status=live }} He was also a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award which was eventually awarded to Edmonton Oilers centre and captain Connor McDavid.{{cite web |title=Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby Named 2020-21 Ted Lindsay Award Finalist |date=June 2, 2021 |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-captain-sidney-crosby-named-202021-ted-lindsay-award-finalist/c-325136776 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614140659/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-captain-sidney-crosby-named-202021-ted-lindsay-award-finalist/c-325136776 |url-status=live }} On February 20, 2021, Crosby became the first player in Penguins history to play 1,000 games with the franchise in a 3–2 win over the New York Islanders.{{cite web |title=Family, teammates and rivals congratulate Crosby for 1,000th game |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-celebrate-1000-nhl-games/c-321623746 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-date=February 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221030254/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-celebrate-1000-nhl-games/c-321623746 |url-status=live }} The team clinched a playoff berth for the 15th consecutive season under Crosby's captaincy, the longest active postseason streak among all teams in the North American professional sports leagues.{{cite web |title=Penguins, Capitals each clinch playoff berth in OT game |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-washington-capitals-game-recap/c-323714682 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430021347/https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-washington-capitals-game-recap/c-323714682 |url-status=live }} However, the Penguins were eliminated in the first round of the 2021 playoffs by the New York Islanders for the second time in three seasons.{{cite web |title=Crosby has 'zero doubt' about Penguins core despite early playoff exit |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-believes-in-pittsburgh-penguins-core-despite-loss/c-325027120 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 27, 2021 |date=May 27, 2021 |archive-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608032113/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-believes-in-pittsburgh-penguins-core-despite-loss/c-325027120 |url-status=live }}

On February 15, 2022, Crosby scored his 500th career goal on a power play against the Philadelphia Flyers, becoming the 46th player to score that many goals in NHL history and the 18th to have scored them all for a single team. He was the second Penguin to score 500 goals, after Lemieux.{{Cite magazine |date=February 15, 2022 |title=Penguins Star Sidney Crosby Joins NHL's 500-Goal Club |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2022/02/16/sidney-crosby-500-goals-penguins |access-date=February 16, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated.com |archive-date=February 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216031954/https://www.si.com/nhl/2022/02/16/sidney-crosby-500-goals-penguins |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Sidney Crosby nets 500th career goal, joins Mario Lemieux as only Pittsburgh Penguins to reach feat |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33298676/sidney-crosby-nets-500th-career-goal-joins-mario-lemieux-only-pittsburgh-penguins-reach-feat |website=ESPN |date=February 16, 2022 |access-date=February 16, 2022 |archive-date=February 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216032430/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33298676/sidney-crosby-nets-500th-career-goal-joins-mario-lemieux-only-pittsburgh-penguins-reach-feat |url-status=live }} Continuing to hit new milestones, in an April 10 game against the Nashville Predators he recorded a goal and an assist in regulation time, before scoring the overtime-winning goal, his 1400th point in the NHL.{{cite web |title=Crosby gives Penguins OT win over Predators, reaches 1,400 points |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/crosby-gives-penguins-ot-win-over-predators-reaches-1400-points/ |website=Sportsnet |date=April 10, 2022 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410235916/https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/crosby-gives-penguins-ot-win-over-predators-reaches-1400-points/ |url-status=live }} Crosby finished the 2021–22 season with 31 goals and 53 assists for 84 points in 69 games played, while the Penguins were third in the Metropolitan Division. They advanced into the 2022 playoffs to meet the New York Rangers.{{cite web |title=2022 NHL playoff preview: Rangers vs. Penguins |url=https://theathletic.com/3284516/2022/04/30/rangers-penguins-nhl-playoffs-preview/ |last1=Luszczyszyn |first1=Don |last2=Goldman |first2=Shayna |website=The Athletic |date=April 30, 2022 |access-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508202655/https://theathletic.com/3284516/2022/04/30/rangers-penguins-nhl-playoffs-preview/ |url-status=live }} With both Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang's contracts up in the summer, there was some question as to whether this would be the final outing for the core of the Penguins franchise in Crosby's era.{{cite web |title=Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and the end of the road for the Penguins' Big 3 |url=https://theathletic.com/3289616/2022/05/02/sidney-crosby-evgeni-malkin-kris-letang-contracts/ |last=Yohe |first=Josh |website=The Athletic |date=May 2, 2022 |access-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508202654/https://theathletic.com/3289616/2022/05/02/sidney-crosby-evgeni-malkin-kris-letang-contracts/ |url-status=live }} In game three of the series against the Rangers, Crosby recorded his 197th career playoff point, passing Paul Coffey for sixth place in all-time playoff point standings.{{cite tweet |user=NHL |author=National Hockey League |number=1523118824102506496 |date=May 7, 2022 |title=Sidney Crosby passes Paul Coffey for sixth place on the all-time #StanleyCup Playoff point list in typical Sidney Crosby fashion. 🥳 }} Two days later, he managed a goal and two assists in the Penguins' 7–2 victory in game four and 3–1 series lead, becoming the sixth player in league history to record 200 career points in the playoffs.{{cite web |title=Crosby gets 200th point as Pens chase Shesterkin, trounce Rangers for series lead |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/crosby-gets-200th-point-as-pens-chase-shesterkin-trounce-rangers-for-series-lead/ |website=Sportsnet |date=May 9, 2022 |access-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510023033/https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/crosby-gets-200th-point-as-pens-chase-shesterkin-trounce-rangers-for-series-lead/ |url-status=live }} Midway through the second period of game five in Madison Square Garden, with the Penguins up 2–0, Crosby took an elbow to the head from Rangers defenceman Jacob Trouba and exited the game. In his absence, the Rangers rallied to win 5–3 and stave off elimination, and Crosby's departure was widely cited as the game's turning point. Head coach Mike Sullivan said that Crosby was being evaluated.{{cite web |title=Penguins bracing for possibility of Crosby's absence as he undergoes evaluation |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/penguins-bracing-for-possibility-of-crosbys-absence-as-he-undergoes-evaluation/ |website=Sportsnet |date=May 11, 2022 |access-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512121137/https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/penguins-bracing-for-possibility-of-crosbys-absence-as-he-undergoes-evaluation/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Yohe's 10 observations: One hit to Sidney Crosby's head changes everything for the Penguins |url=https://theathletic.com/3307245/2022/05/12/yohes-penguins-crosby-game-5/ |last=Yohe |first=Josh |website=The Athletic |date=May 12, 2022 |access-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512121136/https://theathletic.com/3307245/2022/05/12/yohes-penguins-crosby-game-5/ |url-status=live }} After missing game six, Crosby returned for game seven, alongside absent team goaltender Tristan Jarry and winger Rickard Rakell. However, the Penguins lost to the Rangers in overtime with Rangers winger Artemi Panarin scoring the winner for the Rangers to take a 4–3 win in the game and 4–3 win in the series, eliminating the Penguins. The Penguins surrendered a 3–1 series lead to the Rangers for the second time in less than a decade.{{cite web |title=Yohe's 10 observations: On a lost helmet, a holding penalty and heartbreak for the Penguins at the Garden |url=https://theathletic.com/3313745/2022/05/16/yohes-10-observations-on-a-lost-helmet-a-holding-penalty-and-heartbreak-for-the-penguins-at-the-garden/ |last=Yohe |first=Josh |website=The Athletic |date=May 16, 2022 |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516122423/https://theathletic.com/3313745/2022/05/16/yohes-10-observations-on-a-lost-helmet-a-holding-penalty-and-heartbreak-for-the-penguins-at-the-garden/ |url-status=live }}

In the 2022 off-season, it was reported that Crosby played a key role in facilitating a new deal between the Penguins and Evgeni Malkin, after the latter had initially announced he would test free agency.{{cite web |title=Penguins' Evgeni Malkin agrees to 4-year, $24.4 million contract extension |url=https://theathletic.com/news/penguins-evgeni-malkin-contract-extension/H4FK5NcBqBU5/ |website=The Athletic |date=July 13, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713031348/https://theathletic.com/news/penguins-evgeni-malkin-contract-extension/H4FK5NcBqBU5/ |url-status=live }} Crosby began the 2022–23 season by registering two goals and four assists in his first two games, being named the first star of the first week while leading the league in scoring.{{cite web |title=Crosby leads 3 Stars of the Week |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-3-stars-of-the-week-crosby-mcdavid-oettinger-october-17/c-336459950 |publisher=National Hockey League |date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017171104/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-3-stars-of-the-week-crosby-mcdavid-oettinger-october-17/c-336459950 |url-status=live }} After strong initial results, the team struggled with a lengthy losing streak, but Crosby recorded his 900th career assist on a Jake Guentzel goal on November 5, 2022, a 3–2 loss to the Seattle Kraken. He was the sixth-fastest player to this feat in NHL history.{{cite web |title=Sidney Crosby's 900th assist marred by Penguins' seventh consecutive defeat |url=https://theathletic.com/3766675/2022/11/06/sidney-crosby-penguins-900-assists/ |website=The Athletic |last=Rossi |first=Rob |date=November 6, 2022 |access-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106040326/https://theathletic.com/3766675/2022/11/06/sidney-crosby-penguins-900-assists/ |url-status=live }} On April 8, Crosby registered his 1500th career point in a 5–1 win against the Detroit Red Wings, the fifteenth NHL player to hit that milestone, and in the sixth-fewest games (1188).{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-reaches-1500-nhl-points-1.6805612|title=Crosby becomes 15th NHL player to reach 1,500 points|website=CBC Sports|date=April 8, 2023|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408235356/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-reaches-1500-nhl-points-1.6805612|url-status=live}} As the poor performance of the team continued into the spring, the Penguins' league-best 16-year playoff streak increasingly came into jeopardy, and by the final weeks of the season they were battling the Florida Panther] and the New York Islanders for the two Eastern Conference wildcard positions. A 5–2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on April 11, at that moment the team at the bottom of the standings, in the penultimate game of the season, combined with an Islanders victory the following day, sealed the Penguins' missing the playoffs for the first time since 2005–06, Crosby's rookie season and for the first time in Crosby's captaincy.{{cite web |title=Penguins' 16-year playoff streak ends as Islanders secure East's final wild-card spot |url=https://theathletic.com/4406918/2023/04/12/penguins-playoff-streak-islanders/ |website=The Athletic |last=Rossi |first=Rob |date=April 12, 2023 |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413134557/https://theathletic.com/4406918/2023/04/12/penguins-playoff-streak-islanders/ |url-status=live }} This happened despite Crosby playing all 82 games for only the second time in his career, and doing so alongside Evgeni Malkin for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://dkpittsburghsports.com/2023/04/12/drive-to-the-net-sidney-crosby-evgeni-malkin-penguins-analysis-dvs|title=Squandered brilliance of Crosby, Malkin an epic fail|last=Shirey|first=Danny|website=DK Pittsburgh Sports|date=April 12, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413140100/https://dkpittsburghsports.com/2023/04/12/drive-to-the-net-sidney-crosby-evgeni-malkin-penguins-analysis-dvs|url-status=live}} Much recrimination ensued among fans and commentators, with many calling for the sacking of Penguins general manager Ron Hextall for his perceived mistakes in constructing the team in the previous 2022 off-season.{{cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2023/04/12/pittsburgh-penguins-nhl-playoff-picture-eastern-conference-new-york-islanders/stories/202304120074|title=The Penguins have missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006. So what's next?|last=Vensel|first=Matt|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=April 13, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413061603/https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2023/04/12/pittsburgh-penguins-nhl-playoff-picture-eastern-conference-new-york-islanders/stories/202304120074|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/core-deserves-better-pittsburgh-penguins|title=The Core Deserves Better from Penguins|last=Flavell|first=Cody|magazine=The Hockey News|date=April 12, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413025625/https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/core-deserves-better-pittsburgh-penguins|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10072235-embarrassing-end-to-penguins-season-must-conclude-with-owners-fsg-cleaning-house|title=Embarrassing End to Penguins' Season Must Conclude With Owners FSG Cleaning House|last=Gretz|first=Adam|website=The Bleacher Report|date=April 13, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413142510/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10072235-embarrassing-end-to-penguins-season-must-conclude-with-owners-fsg-cleaning-house|url-status=live}} Hextall and team executive Brian Burke were both fired the day after the season ended, with owners Fenway Sports Group promising "the goal of contending for the Stanley Cup has not changed."{{cite web|url=https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/penguins-fire-gm-ron-hextall-exec-brian-burke-after-missing-playoffs|title=Penguins fire GM Ron Hextall, exec Brian Burke after missing playoffs|last=Graves|first=Will|newspaper=The Toronto Sun|date=April 14, 2023|access-date=April 14, 2023|archive-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415070752/https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/penguins-fire-gm-ron-hextall-exec-brian-burke-after-missing-playoffs|url-status=live}}

Shortly the 2023–24 season, his 19th season in the NHL, on November 4, 2023, Crosby skated in his 1,200th game, recording an assist in a 10–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks.{{cite web |title=Penguins win 10-2, hand Sharks record-tying 11th straight loss to start season |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401559406 |website=ESPN |access-date=November 6, 2023 |date=November 4, 2023 |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106162811/https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401559406 |url-status=live }} About the achievement, Crosby said: "You don't just love it when it's good to you. You love it when it's tough and when it's difficult too. When that passion's not there, or that love's not there, it's probably time to stop doing it."{{cite web |last1=Crosby |first1=Wes |title=Crosby set to play 1,200th NHL game for Penguins, continues to "love it" |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-set-to-play-1200th-nhl-game-for-penguins |website=NHL.com |access-date=November 6, 2023 |date=November 2, 2023 |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106024838/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-set-to-play-1200th-nhl-game-for-penguins |url-status=live }} On April 1, 2024, following a 5–2 win over the New York Rangers, Crosby became the second player in NHL history to average a point per game for the 19th consecutive season, joining Wayne Gretzky.{{cite web |last1=Crosby |first1=Wes |title=Crosby to average point per game for 19th season, joins 'elite company' |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-ties-wayne-gretzky-for-most-seasons-one-point-per-game |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 2, 2024 |date=April 1, 2024}} On April 11, Crosby recorded his 1,000th NHL assist on a goal by Erik Karlsson in a 6–5 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings to become the 14th player in league history and seventh fastest player to hit the mark (at 1,269 games).{{cite web |last1=Strackbein |first1=Noah |title=Penguins' Sidney Crosby Tallies 1,000th Assist |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-sidney-crosby-tallies-1000th-assist |website=thehockeynews.com |publisher=The Hockey News |date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024}} Crosby finished the season playing in all 82 contests played with 42 goals, 52 assists and 94 points recorded. Despite his continuation of individual productivity, the Penguins finished three points out of a playoff spot marking the first time in Crosby's tenure where the Penguins missed the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/why-2023-24-pittsburgh-penguins-are-eliminated |title=Penguins eliminated after issues with power play, goaltending |website=nhl.com |publisher=NHL |author=Tom Gulitti |date=April 17, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024}}

On September 16, 2024, Crosby signed a two-year $17.4 million extension ($8.7 million average) to remain with the Penguins.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-re-sign-sidney-crosby-to-a-two-year-contract-extension |title=Penguins Re-Sign Sidney Crosby to a Two-Year Contract Extension |website=nhl.com |publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins |author=Pittsburgh Penguins |date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024}} On November 23, Crosby scored his 600th NHL goal against goaltender Karel Vejmelka of the Utah Hockey Club, becoming the 21st player in league history and second player in Penguins history to achieve the feat as the Penguins lost the game 6–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/sidney-crosby-600-career-goals-pittsburgh-penguins/ |title=Penguins' Sidney Crosby scores 600th career goal |website=cbsnews.com |publisher=CBS News |author=Michael Guise |date=November 23, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024}} The Penguins continued to struggle as a team, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive time and fourth time in Crosby's tenure, ending up 11 points short of the last playoff spot. Despite the team's struggles, Crosby remained productive individually as he finished the season with 33 goals and 58 assists for 91 points in 80 games. Despite these offensive statistics, he had a career-worst −20 plus-minus rating.{{citation needed |date=May 2025}}

{{MedalTableTop|File:Sidney Crosby (Team Canada)-2010.jpg|220px|Crosby with the Canadian men's national ice hockey team during the 2010 Winter Olympics|name=no}}

{{MedalCountry | {{ih|CAN}} }}

{{MedalSport | Men's ice hockey}}

{{MedalCompetition|Winter Olympics}}

{{MedalGold | 2014 Sochi | }}

{{MedalGold | 2010 Vancouver | }}

{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}

{{MedalGold|2015 Czech Republic|}}

{{MedalCompetition|World Cup}}

{{MedalGold | 2016 Toronto |}}

{{MedalCompetition|4 Nations Face-Off}}

{{MedalGold | 2025 Canada & United States|}}

{{MedalCompetition|World Junior Championships}}

{{MedalGold | 2005 United States | }}

{{MedalSilver | 2004 Finland | }}

{{MedalBottom

}}

Crosby debuted internationally for Canada at the 2003 U-18 Junior World Cup. He was the youngest player on the under-18 team, having turned 16 shortly before the beginning of the tournament. After seven consecutive gold medals at the tournament, Canada lost in the bronze medal game to the Czech Republic 8–2. He scored four goals and six points over five tournament games.{{cite web|title=Sidney Crosby |url=http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6146 |website=Elite Prospects |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810223850/http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6146 |archive-date=August 10, 2014 }}

Crosby went on to compete in two World Junior Championships with Canada under-20 team. When he was named to the team in December 2003, he became the fifth 16-year-old to represent Canada at the tournament, following Jay Bouwmeester, Jason Spezza, Eric Lindros and Wayne Gretzky. Competing in the 2004 World Junior Championships, he then became the youngest player to score a goal in the history of the tournament at 16 years, 4 months, and 21 days when he scored against Switzerland in a 7–2 win.{{cite web|title=World Junior Hockey Championship – History (2004 – Helsinki) |url=https://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/feature/?fid=8982 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023163603/http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/feature/?fid=8982 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 }} This record would last until the 2012 World Juniors when Aleksander Barkov of Finland scored a goal aged 16 years, 4 months.{{cite web|last1=Morreale |first1=Mike G. |title=Barkov looks to shine for Finland at World Juniors |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=648219 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714203415/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=648219 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} Crosby finished the tournament with two goals and three assists in six games, helping Canada to a silver medal finish. The following year, he returned for Canada at the 2005 World Junior Championships. He improved to six goals and three assists as Canada earned gold. Crosby stated the following year that his most memorable ice hockey moment was winning his World Junior gold medal.{{cite web|title= Players: Sidney Crosby, Notes|url= http://www.pittsburghpenguins.com/team/players/bio.php?id=151|access-date=December 10, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209104407/http://www.pittsburghpenguins.com/team/players/bio.php?id=151|archive-date=December 9, 2006|url-status=dead}}

After completing his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby competed in the 2006 IIHF World Championship as an alternate captain for Canada. Scoring a tournament-best eight goals and eight assists in nine games, he became the youngest player ever to win a World Championship scoring title.{{cite web|title=Crosby continued to re-write history at world championships|url=http://pittsburghpenguins.com/team/features/arts/1891.0.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070423064315/http://pittsburghpenguins.com/team/features/arts/1891.0.php|last=Sager|first=Joe|archive-date=April 23, 2007|date=May 23, 2006|access-date=November 17, 2006}} Despite his performance, Canada failed to medal, being shut-out by Finland 5–0 in the bronze medal game. Crosby was named the tournament's top forward and to the competition's all-star team.

File:SidneyCrosby2010WinterOlympicscelebration.jpg over the United States]]

After being omitted from Canada's Olympic team in 2006, Crosby was named to the Canadian roster on December 30, 2009, as an alternate captain for the 2010 Winter Olympics.{{cite news|last1=LeBrun |first1=Pierre |title=Breaking down 2010 Canadian team |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/olyhockey/news/story?id=4782031 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |publisher=ESPN |date=December 30, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721041740/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olyhockey/news/story?id=4782031 |archive-date=July 21, 2015 }} He scored the game-winning shootout goal for Canada in the second game of the preliminary round against Switzerland. After going pointless in the quarterfinal and semifinal against Russia and Slovakia respectively, Crosby scored the winning goal 7 minutes and 40 seconds into overtime against the United States in the gold medal game.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/2.722/canada-outlasts-u-s-for-hockey-gold-1.867197 |title=Canada defeats U.S. for hockey gold |date=February 28, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |work=CBC Sports |publisher=cbcsports.ca |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303003007/http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/hockey/story/2010/02/28/spo-olympic-hockey-gold-can-usa.html |archive-date=March 3, 2010 }} The goal has later become known as the "Golden Goal" due to it being scored in the gold medal game.[http://news.sportsinteraction.com/sports/nhl-hockey/three-years-on-crosbys-goal-is-still-golden-99572 Sidney Crosby profile] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130630085418/http://news.sportsinteraction.com/sports/nhl-hockey/three-years-on-crosbys-goal-is-still-golden-99572/ |date=June 30, 2013 }}, news.sportsinteraction.com. Retrieved May 14, 2014. It is also regarded by some as "Canada's most iconic sports moment".{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosbys-golden-goal-canadas-iconic-sports-moment/|title=Why Sidney Crosby's golden goal is Canada's most iconic sports moment|work=Sportsnet|access-date=June 29, 2017|archive-date=June 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629020857/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosbys-golden-goal-canadas-iconic-sports-moment/|url-status=live}}

Following the Penguins' second-round elimination in the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, Crosby declined an invitation to join Canada midway through the 2010 IIHF World Championship.{{cite news |title=Crosby turns down offer to play for Canada at Worlds |url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=321504 |access-date=May 14, 2010 |date=May 14, 2010 |publisher=The Sports Network |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517045848/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=321504 |archive-date=May 17, 2010}} Crosby was selected to represent Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics and was later named team captain.{{cite web|title=Sidney Crosby named captain for Canadian Olympic Team |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Olympics/2014Sochi/News/2014/01/19/21409291.html |date=January 19, 2014 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |publisher=SLAM Sports |author=Stevenson, Chris |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140119180412/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Olympics/2014Sochi/News/2014/01/19/21409291.html |archive-date=January 19, 2014 }} Canada won gold, with Crosby contributing one goal and two assists in six games. He scored his only goal in the final against Sweden, further establishing his reputation as "a player who rises up in big games".{{cite news|last1=Allen |first1=Kevin |title=Sidney Crosby leads Canada past Sweden for golden repeat |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/23/canada-sweden-gold-medal-hockey-olympics-sochi/5754921/ |access-date=March 11, 2016 |work=USA Today |date=February 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622063735/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/23/canada-sweden-gold-medal-hockey-olympics-sochi/5754921/ |archive-date=June 22, 2015 }}{{cite web|title=Hockey Canada Statistics |url=http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/stats/league_instance/16629?subseason=143136&tab=league_instance_player_stats&tool=957013 |access-date=June 25, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514191127/http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/stats/league_instance/16629?subseason=143136&tab=league_instance_player_stats&tool=957013 |archive-date=May 14, 2014 }} In 2015, Crosby captained Canada to its first World Championship title since 2007, with the team winning all 10 games and scoring 66 goals. Crosby, scoring four goals and seven assists in nine games, became the 26th member of the Triple Gold Club. He is the first member of the club to captain all three championship teams,{{cite web|last1=Langr |first1=Michael |title=Crosby in Triple Gold Club with World Championship |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=768014 |access-date=May 18, 2015 |publisher=National Hockey League |date=May 17, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100105/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=768014 |archive-date=May 18, 2015 }} and the first member to be a first overall NHL draft pick.

In 2016, Hockey Canada named Crosby captain for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-named-team-canada-captain/c-281415170 |title=Sidney Crosby named Team Canada captain for World Cup |publisher=National Hockey League |date=August 25, 2016 |access-date=September 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002131643/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-named-team-canada-captain/c-281415170 |archive-date=October 2, 2016 }} Crosby, who led the tournament in scoring with 10 points, helping Canada win the championship, and was named the most valuable player. He joined Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky as the only players to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and World Cup MVP.{{cite news|title=Canada Stuns Europe in Final Minutes to Sweep World Cup|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 29, 2016|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/30/sports/hockey/world-cup-canada-europe-sidney-crosby.html|access-date=October 1, 2016|last1=Rush|first1=Curtis|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620124832/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/30/sports/hockey/world-cup-canada-europe-sidney-crosby.html|url-status=live}} Canada's head coach Mike Babcock described Crosby as a serial winner, saying, "He's that high-end competitor. He's a good leader because he tries to do it right all the time. He demands a lot out of himself. In doing so, he demands a lot out of his teammates."{{cite web|title=Sidney Crosby and the soul of winning everything |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/world-cup-of-hockey/sidney-crosby-soul-winning-everything/ |access-date=May 23, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105233254/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/world-cup-of-hockey/sidney-crosby-soul-winning-everything/ |archive-date=November 5, 2016 }} In 2020, he was named to the IIHF All-Time Canada Team and the Men's All-Decade Team.{{Cite web|title=All-Time Canada Team|url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2020/wm/news/19140/all-time-canada-team|last=Podnieks|first=Andrew|date=May 9, 2020|publisher=International Ice Hockey Federation|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511065534/https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2020/wm/news/19140/all-time-canada-team|archive-date=May 11, 2020|access-date=May 11, 2020}}

On October 3, 2021, Crosby was one of the first three players named to roster for Canada's team for the 2022 Winter Olympics, alongside Connor McDavid and Alex Pietrangelo.{{cite web|title=Crosby, McDavid, Pietrangelo named to Olympic team|url=https://www.tsn.ca/sidney-crosby-connor-mcdavid-alex-pietrangelo-team-canada-2022-olympics-1.1701671|website=tsn.ca|access-date=October 3, 2021|date=October 3, 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102235758/https://www.tsn.ca/sidney-crosby-connor-mcdavid-alex-pietrangelo-team-canada-2022-olympics-1.1701671|url-status=live}} However, due to the NHL's subsequent decision not to attend the Winter Olympics as a result of the Omicron variant's impacts on scheduling, Crosby was unable to compete. He said afterward that "I've been fortunate enough to be part of two. I definitely feel for the guys who have missed numerous opportunities."{{cite news|title=Crosby: It's Unfortunate that the NHL Will Not Go to 2022 Olympics|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/sidney-crosby-mike-sullivan-2022-olympics/c-329207274|publisher=National Hockey League|last=Crechiolo|first=Michelle|access-date=February 17, 2022|date=December 22, 2021|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217213412/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/sidney-crosby-mike-sullivan-2022-olympics/c-329207274|url-status=live}}

On June 28, 2024, Crosby was one of the first six players selected to represent Team Canada in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, the first international tournament with full NHL participation since 2016.{{cite news |last1=Whyno |first1=Stephen |title=U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland unveil 1st 6 players for 4 Nations Face-Off tournament |url=https://apnews.com/article/nhl-4-nations-faceoff-b782f2b881e961771c300fe53505146e |access-date=February 15, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=apnews.com |date=June 28, 2024}} He was later named captain of the team.{{cite web |title=Sidney Crosby to captain Team Canada at 4 Nations Face-Off |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/crosby-to-captain-team-canada-2025-4nf |publisher=Hockey Canada |access-date=February 15, 2025 |date=January 30, 2025}} Crosby missed the Penguins' final two games before the tournament due to injury, but confirmed that he would participate still.{{cite news|title=Crosby will play for Canada at 4 Nations Face-Off|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-playing-status-for-canada-at-4-nations-face-off|publisher=National Hockey League|last=Zeisberger|first=Mike|date=February 10, 2025|access-date=May 5, 2025}} He had three assists in Team Canada's 4–3 opening victory against Sweden, including on the overtime winner.{{cite news|title=Marner, Canada recover, top Sweden in OT in 4 Nations Face-Off opener|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/canada-sweden-4-nations-face-off-game-recap-february-12|publisher=National Hockey League|last=Rosen|first=Dan|date=February 13, 2025|access-date=May 5, 2025}} Canada went on to win the tournament, with Crosby finishing with five points.{{cite news|last1=Surmacz|first1=Kelsey|title='He's A Legend': Sidney Crosby's 4 Nations Performance Inspires Younger Canadian Teammates|url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/hes-a-legend-sidney-crosbys-4-nations-performance-inspires-younger-canadian-teammates|magazine=The Hockey News|date=February 24, 2025|access-date=May 5, 2025}} Later the same year, following Pittsburgh not qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Crosby accepted an invitation to join Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in Stockholm. This was to be his first appearance at the World Championship since 2015.{{cite news|last1=Surmacz|first1=Kelsey|title=Sidney Crosby Named To Team Canada's Roster For World Championship|url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/sidney-crosby-named-to-team-canadas-roster-for-world-championships|magazine=The Hockey News|date=May 4, 2025|access-date=May 5, 2025}} Former Penguins teammate Marc-André Fleury, who had retired from the NHL at season's end, also announced that he would participate in the tournament as his final competition.{{cite news|last1=Campbell|first1=Dave|title=Marc-Andre Fleury has played his last NHL game, but retirement can wait a few more weeks|url=https://www.thespec.com/sports/hockey/marc-andre-fleury-has-played-his-last-nhl-game-but-retirement-can-wait-a-few/article_438aaa10-5340-503f-aa2d-1c93f0d96b88.html|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|date=May 5, 2025|access-date=May 5, 2025}}

{{Quote box|width=31%|align=right|quote=His lower-body strength is probably unparalleled in the league. It's not just about his speed, but how he can use his lower body to protect the puck in the corner. When he takes the puck through the neutral zone, he's a nightmare to defend because he seems to explode and take it to another gear as soon as the puck touches his stick.|source= –Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks on Crosby in his January 2015 column for The Players' Tribune.[http://www.theplayerstribune.com/best-centers-in-the-nhl/ Elite Centers 101] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230024329/http://www.theplayerstribune.com/best-centers-in-the-nhl/ |date=December 30, 2015 }}, theplayerstribune.com. Retrieved December 29, 2015.}}

As captain and first-line centre for Canada, Crosby played with different line mates in almost every game as the coaching staff struggled to find players capable of keeping pace with the superstar centre at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, and again at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. Crosby's fellow countryman and Olympic teammate, Rick Nash, was questioned by the media about this, at one point saying, "I think he's a tough guy to keep up with. He's so fast. The way he thinks about the game seems like it's far beyond everyone else's process. It's the same thing in the last Olympics, keep shuffling around until you found something that fit."[http://www.canada.com/olympics/?p=90696 Sidney Crosby profile] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227081732/http://www.canada.com/olympics/?p=90696 |date=February 27, 2014 }}, canada.com. Retrieved May 14, 2014. Team Canada's assistant coach in Vancouver, Ken Hitchcock, recalled, "Sid thinks at a level, when the other team has the puck, that's above everyone else in the league [NHL]. His anticipation when the other team has the puck is so high, he knows where it's going ahead of time. He can pick off passes, make you make errors. And then he also knows where people are located on the ice, so he can turn that turnover into a scoring chance."{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/oilers-connor-mcdavid-still-improvements-make-defensively/|title=Oilers' Connor McDavid still has improvements to make defensively|publisher=sportsnet.ca|date=February 14, 2019|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222052131/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/oilers-connor-mcdavid-still-improvements-make-defensively/|url-status=live}}

Other professional NHL players have particularly noted Crosby for his backhand shot. For example, in his column for The Players' Tribune in July 2015, Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings praised Crosby for having "the best backhand shot" in the NHL. "His blade is almost completely flat, which combined with his ridiculous forearm strength gives him the ability to go forehand to your five hole instantly or turn it over to the backhand and roof it (a lot of guys can't do this with a flat blade)."[http://www.theplayerstribune.com/jonathan-quick-kings-snipers/ Elite Snipers 101] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201042453/http://www.theplayerstribune.com/jonathan-quick-kings-snipers/ |date=December 1, 2015 }}, theplayerstribune.com. Retrieved December 29, 2015.

File:Sidney Crosby 2018-03-03 19625.jpg in March 2018.]]

Noted for his on-ice vision, passing ability,{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/867462/2019/03/14/marshall-sidney-crosbys-puck-distribution-continues-to-evolve/|title=Marshall: Sidney Crosby's puck distribution continues to evolve|publisher=theathletic.com|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=March 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323032857/https://theathletic.com/867462/2019/03/14/marshall-sidney-crosbys-puck-distribution-continues-to-evolve/|url-status=live}} leadership,{{cite news |title=Olympics changed Hitchcock's view on Crosby |date=November 23, 2011 |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/hitchcock-crosby/ |access-date=March 5, 2019 |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727220112/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/hitchcock-crosby/ |url-status=live }} work ethic, and complete overall game, Crosby is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time.{{cite web|url=https://latimes.com/sports/ducks/la-sp-penguins-crosby-elliott-20161102-story.html |title=Sidney Crosby is still king of the NHL |quote=Ducks right wing Corey Perry, Crosby's World Cup and Olympic teammate, has seen Crosby's work ethic up close and marvels at it. "He's a heck of a hockey player and he puts in a lot of work, a lot of time, and he takes care of himself," Perry said. |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 3, 2016 |access-date=November 3, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104011633/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ducks/la-sp-penguins-crosby-elliott-20161102-story.html |archive-date=November 4, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/sidney-crosby-is-still-nhls-best-player-but-who-is-next-in-line/ |title=Sidney Crosby is still NHL's best player, but who is next in line? |date=August 3, 2015 |publisher=CBS |access-date=October 5, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010102703/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/sidney-crosby-is-still-nhls-best-player-but-who-is-next-in-line/ |archive-date=October 10, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/world-cup-of-hockey/sidney-crosby-class-world-cup-hockey/ |title=Sidney Crosby in class by himself at World Cup of Hockey |work=Sportsnet |access-date=October 5, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005195208/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/world-cup-of-hockey/sidney-crosby-class-world-cup-hockey/ |archive-date=October 5, 2016 }} Bobby Orr named Crosby among the five best players in the history of NHL.{{cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/1895857/2020/06/30/is-sidney-crosby-one-of-the-best-hockey-players-of-all-time-bobby-orr-says-yes/ |title=Is Sidney Crosby one of the best hockey players of all time? Bobby Orr says yes |publisher=The Athletic |access-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705170420/https://theathletic.com/1895857/2020/06/30/is-sidney-crosby-one-of-the-best-hockey-players-of-all-time-bobby-orr-says-yes/ |url-status=live |last1=Yohe |first1=Josh }} Gretzky said of Crosby in September 2016, "He's proven over and over that he's the best player in the game today. And it seems like the more important the game, the more impact that he makes on a game."{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/17577498/nhl-world-cup-hockey-wayne-gretzky-there-no-doubt-sidney-crosby-best-player-game |title=Wayne Gretzky: Sidney Crosby is 'the best player in the game' |date=September 18, 2016 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=October 5, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006042522/http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/17577498/nhl-world-cup-hockey-wayne-gretzky-there-no-doubt-sidney-crosby-best-player-game |archive-date=October 6, 2016 }} Gordie Howe was also impressed by Crosby, "I met him and I've seen him play. Unless you put two guys on him, he'll kill you in a game."{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/gordie-howe-reveals-what-career-advice-he-gave-to-sidney-crosby/c-364336 |title=Gordie Howe reveals what career advice he gave to Sidney Crosby |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=October 27, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028084820/https://www.nhl.com/news/gordie-howe-reveals-what-career-advice-he-gave-to-sidney-crosby/c-364336 |archive-date=October 28, 2016 }} In October 2016, Mario Lemieux praised his protégé for his ability to play both sides of the puck: "I think he's more of a complete player. Defensively, I think he's improved a lot over the last couple of years."{{cite web|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/halifax/2016/06/20/hockey-canada-set-for-gala-and-golf-tournament-in-halifax.html |title=Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux proud to see Sidney Crosby mature on and off ice |work=Metro |access-date=October 5, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005073920/http://www.metronews.ca/news/halifax/2016/06/20/hockey-canada-set-for-gala-and-golf-tournament-in-halifax.html |archive-date=October 5, 2016 }} In an April 2018 article for The Washington Post, other players, teammates and coaches highlighted his work ethic and strive for greatness as a major factor to Crosby's lasting success. "While his natural ability – powerful skating, pistol-quick hands, uncommon feel – made him a phenom, his creative, distinct capacity for work has enabled him to stay atop the NHL."{{cite news |title=The subtle secret to Sidney Crosby's greatness |date=April 30, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/the-subtle-secret-to-sidney-crosbys-greatness/2018/04/30/785a9d28-4c7c-11e8-b725-92c89fe3ca4c_story.html?noredirect=on |access-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-date=November 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110200159/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/the-subtle-secret-to-sidney-crosbys-greatness/2018/04/30/785a9d28-4c7c-11e8-b725-92c89fe3ca4c_story.html?noredirect=on |url-status=live }} In March 2019, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan described Crosby as "best 200-foot player in the game" and the "heartbeat" of the Penguins.{{cite web|url=https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-heartbeat-of-our-team/|title=More Praise for Sidney Crosby, 'He's the Heartbeat'|publisher=pittsburghhockeynow.com|date=March 15, 2019|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918144631/https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-heartbeat-of-our-team/|url-status=live}}

On January 27, 2017, in a ceremony during the All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Crosby was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.{{cite news|last=Beacham |first=Greg |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-100-greatest-players-1.3956161 |title=NHL 100: Crosby, Ovechkin, Jagr join Gretzky and Co. on list of legends |work=CBC Sports |date=January 27, 2017 |access-date=January 31, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131134014/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-100-greatest-players-1.3956161 |archive-date=January 31, 2017 }} In that same year, Fox Sports ranked Crosby 15th on their "21 greatest athletes of the 21st century (so far)" list,{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/gallery/greatest-best-athletes-of-21st-century-phelps-federer-tiger-serena-lebron-brady-2000s-020817 |title=The 21 greatest athletes of the 21st century (so far) |work=Fox Sports |access-date=April 1, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402081704/http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/gallery/greatest-best-athletes-of-21st-century-phelps-federer-tiger-serena-lebron-brady-2000s-020817 |archive-date=April 2, 2017 }} and TSN named him the eighth-best NHL player of all time.{{cite web |last1=Dryden |first1=Steve |title=The Greatest One |url=https://www.tsn.ca/the-greatest-one-1.944832 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=December 25, 2017 |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925125749/https://www.tsn.ca/the-greatest-one-1.944832 |url-status=live }} Four months before the 2022 Winter Olympics, Rob Rossi of The Athletic called him "arguably North America's most dominant team-sport Winter Olympian."{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/news/sidney-crosby-connor-mcdavid-alex-pietrangelo-named-to-canadas-olympic-roster/Gxki3LDIdPNf|title=Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Alex Pietrangelo named to Canada's Olympic roster|url-access=subscription|date=October 4, 2021|access-date=October 12, 2021|author=The Athletic Staff|work=The Athletic|archive-date=October 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008010540/https://theathletic.com/news/sidney-crosby-connor-mcdavid-alex-pietrangelo-named-to-canadas-olympic-roster/Gxki3LDIdPNf|url-status=live}} In a survey conducted by Sportsnet in June 2017, Crosby was voted by Canadians to be the greatest athlete of the 21st century.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/infographic-canadians-say-crosby-best-21st-century-athlete/|title=Infographic: Canadians say Crosby is best 21st-century athlete|work=Sportsnet|access-date=June 29, 2017|archive-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619220731/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/infographic-canadians-say-crosby-best-21st-century-athlete/|url-status=live}} A poll conducted by the NHLPA in March 2018 of more than 500 players resulted in Crosby being voted the "most difficult to play against, best role model, best team player, the player you'd want to win one game, and the player who would be a great coach upon retirement".{{cite news |title=Sidney Crosby gets ultimate respect in survey of NHL players |date=March 8, 2018 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-player-survey-sidney-crosby-admired-appreciated-1.4566409 |access-date=March 8, 2018 |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307225212/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-player-survey-sidney-crosby-admired-appreciated-1.4566409 |url-status=live }} In April 2018, Crosby was chosen as Nova Scotia's "Best athlete ever" by the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.{{cite news |title=No. 87 is No. 1: Sidney Crosby chosen as Nova Scotia's best athlete ever |date=April 30, 2018 |url=https://www.thestar.com/halifax/2018/04/30/no-87-is-no-1-sidney-crosby-chosen-as-nova-scotias-best-athlete-ever.html |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626164242/https://www.thestar.com/halifax/2018/04/30/no-87-is-no-1-sidney-crosby-chosen-as-nova-scotias-best-athlete-ever.html |url-status=live }} In March 2019, an anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic showed that Crosby was regarded the best all-around NHL player by his peers.{{cite news |title=Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby Named Best All-Around NHL Player By His Peers |date=March 1, 2019 |url=https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/03/01/crosby-named-best-player-in-nhl/ |access-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302000403/https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/03/01/crosby-named-best-player-in-nhl/ |url-status=live }}

Considered a generational talent and a franchise player,{{cite web|title=Crosby cements legacy with consecutive Stanley Cup wins|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-icehockey-nhl-stanleycup-crosby/crosby-cements-legacy-with-consecutive-stanley-cup-wins-idUSKBN1930ER|work=Reuters|access-date=April 12, 2018|date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=April 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043146/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-icehockey-nhl-stanleycup-crosby/crosby-cements-legacy-with-consecutive-stanley-cup-wins-idUSKBN1930ER|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=With his second straight Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe, Sidney Crosby is among the best ever|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19611090/2017-stanley-cup-finals-sidney-crosby-best-all|publisher=ESPN|access-date=April 12, 2018|date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412212238/http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19611090/2017-stanley-cup-finals-sidney-crosby-best-all|url-status=live}} drafting Crosby changed the fortunes of a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins.{{cite news |title=10 years ago tomorrow the Pittsburgh Penguins literally hit the lottery |url=https://www.pensburgh.com/2015/7/21/9008793/2005-nhl-draft-lottery-sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins |access-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509221259/https://www.pensburgh.com/2015/7/21/9008793/2005-nhl-draft-lottery-sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins |url-status=live }} It helped secure funding for a new arena and ended speculation that the franchise would relocate to another city.{{cite news |title=Hockey's biggest star returns with dramatic results, on and off the ice |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/02/us/sidney-crosby-returns/index.html |access-date=May 13, 2018 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613015026/https://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/02/us/sidney-crosby-returns/index.html |url-status=live }} In 2005–06, his presence helped Pittsburgh's attendance increase by 33%.{{harvnb|Pincus|2006|pp=193–195}} Crosby's arrival also aided in reinvigorating and expanding the roots of hockey in the Pittsburgh area. Penguins CEO and president David Morehouse said, "We were in last place, we were last in revenues, we were last in attendance, our TV ratings were minimal and we were in the oldest building in the NHL... We were able to draw attention to us as a franchise because of the drafting of Sidney Crosby and the subsequent success we had."{{cite web |last1=Gulitti |first1=Tom |title=Sidney Crosby's legacy in Pittsburgh goes beyond Cup |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosbys-impact-with-penguins-more-than-wins/c-287050844 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=May 9, 2018 |date=February 24, 2017 |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509220715/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosbys-impact-with-penguins-more-than-wins/c-287050844 |url-status=live }}

Crosby is well known for welcoming new teammates with open arms. Former teammate and NHL veteran Matt Cullen has said that "[he watches] how he makes time to make a real effort to include guys and go out of his way to spend time with younger guys, and I know that goes a long way." Crosby often does research on new members of the organization, even players who have not yet made the roster, and makes sure to greet them.{{cite web | last=Crechiolo | first=Michelle | title=Welcome to the team | website=NHL.com | date=September 20, 2018 | url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/welcome-to-the-team/c-300270478 | access-date=May 18, 2023 | archive-date=May 18, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518025344/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/welcome-to-the-team/c-300270478 | url-status=live }}

Some current players who grew up watching Crosby, such as Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, have said that they tried to emulate other players as emerging youth hockey stars because "playing at his [Crosby's] level just wasn't realistic."{{cite web | last=Wyshynski | first=Greg | title=Generation Crosby: What the NHL's young stars learned by watching Sid | website=ESPN.com | date=December 10, 2021 | url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/insider/story/_/id/32828523/generation-crosby-nhl-young-stars-learned-watching-sid | access-date=May 18, 2023 | archive-date=May 18, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518025343/https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/insider/story/_/id/32828523/generation-crosby-nhl-young-stars-learned-watching-sid | url-status=live }}

Crosby's number 87 Pittsburgh Penguins jersey was the top seller on the NHL's website from September 2005 to February 2008.{{cite news|url=http://dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/05/23/stanley_cup_crosby.ART_ART_05-23-08_C1_ERA9FP8.html?sid=101|title=Sidney Crosby: Aged to perfection|last=Reed|first=Tom|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|date=May 23, 2008|access-date=May 23, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711153604/http://dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/05/23/stanley_cup_crosby.ART_ART_05-23-08_C1_ERA9FP8.html?sid=101|archive-date=July 11, 2012}} It has continued to be among the top-selling jerseys since his rookie season. In January 2005, an Air Canada baggage handler in Montreal stole Crosby's red Canada jersey from the World Junior Hockey Championship. It was recovered later in a mailbox.{{cite news|title=US Airways finds sweater Crosby wore in first game |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2187375 |publisher=ESPN |date=October 11, 2006 |access-date=December 24, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324021816/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2187375 |archive-date=March 24, 2007 }} His white jersey from the tournament was temporarily delisted from an auction while the red one was missing. It eventually sold for {{CAD|22100}}, which went to youth hockey charities and 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake relief.{{cite news|title=Crosby jersey nets $22,100 at auction |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/crosby-jersey-nets-22-100-in-auction-1.568876 |publisher=CBC Sports |date=January 20, 2005 |access-date=December 24, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012182712/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/01/19/crosbyjersey_ebay050119.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}

Less than a year later, one of Crosby's game-worn sweaters disappeared. The jersey he wore in his first NHL game, played against the New Jersey Devils, disappeared from his father's luggage during a flight from Pittsburgh to Buffalo. The jersey was later found at the Pittsburgh International Airport between a piece of equipment and a stairwell.{{cite news|last=Molarni |first=Dave |title=Crosby's jersey found in stairwell at airport |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05285/586916.stm |date=October 12, 2005 |access-date=December 24, 2006 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618105723/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05285/586916.stm |archive-date=June 18, 2006 }} Crosby's jersey from his third NHL game was the highest-selling NHL jersey in an auction for Hurricane Katrina relief – it sold for $21,010.{{citation needed |date=May 2025}} During an online auction held by the NHL and the NHL Players Association to benefit Hockey Fights Cancer, Crosby's game-worn jersey from the first period of the 2007 All-Star Game earned the most money. Crosby's sold for {{USD|47520}}, more than eight times the next highest price—${{formatnum:5,681}} for the jersey worn by Brendan Shanahan of the New York Rangers.{{cite news|title=Crosby's first all-star jersey goes for $47,520 |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18278326 |agency=Associated Press |date=April 23, 2007 |access-date=April 24, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507104714/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18278326/ |archive-date=May 7, 2007 }}

Following Crosby's Olympic gold medal victory with Canada in 2010, it was announced that his stick and glove were missing. It was initially suspected that they might have been stolen; Reebok Canada offered a reward of {{CAD|10000}} for their return, "no questions asked".{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/reebok-puts-up-bucks-for-crosby-s-missing-gear-1.489572|title=Reebok puts up bucks for Crosby's missing gear|publisher=CTV.ca|access-date=March 7, 2010|date=March 6, 2010|archive-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021045302/http://www.ctvnews.ca/reebok-puts-up-bucks-for-crosby-s-missing-gear-1.489572|url-status=live}} On March 10, the items were found: Crosby's stick had been placed in a shipment bound for the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in Saint Petersburg, Russia, (the shipment was intercepted in Toronto) and his glove was found in a hockey bag belonging to Olympic teammate and Boston Bruins' centre Patrice Bergeron, whose stall was beside Crosby's in the locker room.{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/crosby-s-golden-gear-found-misplaced-not-stolen-1.491068 |title=Crosby's golden gear found, misplaced not stolen |date=March 10, 2010 |publisher=CTV.ca |access-date=March 10, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312090623/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100310/crosby_gear_100310/20100310?hub=TopStoriesV2 |archive-date=March 12, 2010 }}

File:Cole Harbour, Home of Sidney Crosby (cropped).jpg

Crosby rarely discusses his personal life and avoids social media. Andy O'Brien, Crosby's fitness trainer for over 15 years, has said: "He [Crosby] wants to be one of the guys and doesn't really seek to separate himself or get special treatment in any way... He takes a lot of enjoyment in the regular, simple things in life and having a normal, ordinary routine".{{cite news |url=https://triblive.com/sports/penguins/8936666-74/crosby-hockey-sidney |publisher=triblive.com |title=Crosby's off-ice life hardly reflects that of a superstar |author=Jason Mackey |access-date=November 10, 2018 |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219032723/https://triblive.com/sports/penguins/8936666-74/crosby-hockey-sidney |url-status=live }} Greg Powers described Crosby as essentially the brother of Lemieux's son Austin,{{Cite news |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2018/12/27/asu-hockey-austin-lemieux-doesnt-have-mario-lemieux/2333807002/ |title=Austin Lemieux doesn't have to be Mario Lemieux for Arizona State hockey |last=Metcalfe |first=Jeff |date=December 27, 2018 |work=Arizona Republic |access-date=October 9, 2019 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030210230/https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2018/12/27/asu-hockey-austin-lemieux-doesnt-have-mario-lemieux/2333807002/ |url-status=live }} as he lived with Lemieux's family in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, from 2005 until 2010. In May 2010, Crosby purchased his own home in the same area.{{cite news|title=Penguins Notebook: Crosby buys house not far from Lemieux's |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10133/1057860-61.stm |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=May 13, 2010 |access-date=July 13, 2010 |first1=Shelly |last1=Anderson |first2=Dave |last2=Molinari |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516033650/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10133/1057860-61.stm |archive-date=May 16, 2010 }} In June 2006, he had bought his first house on Grand Lake in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1169156/index.htm Alone At The Top] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512230907/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1169156/index.htm |date=May 12, 2014 }} ESPN{{cite news|url=http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/nhl135/11063667/detail.html |publisher=thepittsburghchannel.com |title=1-On-1 With Sidney Crosby |author=Michelle Wright |access-date=September 5, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070920003606/http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/nhl135/11063667/detail.html |archive-date=September 20, 2007 }}

On May 29, 2010, it was announced that Crosby would sign the richest endorsement contract in NHL history with Reebok, expected to pay Crosby $1.4 million per year for five to seven years. In 2015, he signed a six-year endorsement contract with Adidas.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/pittsburgh-penguins-sidney-crosby-adidas-deal-100715 |title=Penguins superstar Crosby signs multi-year deal with Adidas |access-date=November 3, 2016 |work=Fox Sports |date=October 7, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104050750/http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/pittsburgh-penguins-sidney-crosby-adidas-deal-100715 |archive-date=November 4, 2016 }} Crosby also has endorsement deals with Bell, Tim Hortons, and Gatorade.{{cite magazine |last=Campbell |first=Ken |title=Source: Sidney Crosby to sign richest endorsement deal in NHL history |url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/33853-Source-Sidney-Crosby-to-sign-richest-endorsement-deal-in-NHL-history.html |magazine=The Hockey News |access-date=May 29, 2010 |date=May 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313032228/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/33853-Source-Sidney-Crosby-to-sign-richest-endorsement-deal-in-NHL-history.html |archive-date=March 13, 2012}} Regarded as one of Canada's "legendary goal-scorers and storied leaders", Crosby was featured in Canada Post's NHL Great Canadian Forwards stamp collection, alongside Phil Esposito, Guy Lafleur, Darryl Sittler, Mark Messier, and Steve Yzerman.{{cite news|url=https://www.canadapost.ca/web/en/blogs/announcements/details.page?article=2016/09/23/nhl_great_canadian_f&cattype=announcements&cat=newsreleases |title=NHL Great Canadian Forward stamps celebrate hockey's legendary goal-scorers and storied leaders |access-date=October 4, 2016 |work=Canada Post |date=September 23, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005134115/https://www.canadapost.ca/web/en/blogs/announcements/details.page?article=2016%2F09%2F23%2Fnhl_great_canadian_f&cattype=announcements&cat=newsreleases |archive-date=October 5, 2016 }} In September 2016, he won an Emmy Award for his role in There's No Place Like Home With Sidney Crosby.{{cite news|url=http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/11199884-74/crosby-emmy-penguins |title=Penguins' Crosby wins Emmy |access-date=October 1, 2016 |work=Tribe Live |date=September 24, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001210515/http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/11199884-74/crosby-emmy-penguins |archive-date=October 1, 2016 }} He also won for his participation in the Merci Sidney video that followed his return to Rimouski for his QMJHL jersey retirement ceremony.{{cite news |url=https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2020/09/21/sidney-crosby-merci-emmy-award-penguins-news-tlh |title=Crosby wins second career Emmy |access-date=March 26, 2021 |work=DK Pittsburgh Sports |date=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725060110/https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2020/09/21/sidney-crosby-merci-emmy-award-penguins-news-tlh |url-status=live }}

Crosby has a younger sister named Taylor who is a hockey goaltender.{{cite news |url=https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/14/6958095/taylor-crosby-profile-interview-northeastern-hockey |title=The other Crosby |first=Evan |last=Sporer |work=SB Nation |date=October 14, 2014 |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210152020/https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/14/6958095/taylor-crosby-profile-interview-northeastern-hockey |url-status=live }} Like her brother, she went to high school at Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota, to play with the school's hockey program.{{cite news |last1=Berkman |first1=Seth |title=Hockey's Other Crosby Toils Outside the Spotlight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/27/sports/hockey/taylor-crosby-st-cloud-state.html |access-date=January 11, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=November 27, 2017 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327224237/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/27/sports/hockey/taylor-crosby-st-cloud-state.html |url-status=live }} In 2014, Taylor joined the Northeastern Huskies women's ice hockey team as a freshman at Northeastern University in Boston. In 2015, she transferred to Minnesota's St. Cloud State University and played with the St. Cloud State Huskies women's ice hockey team through to graduation at the end of the 2017–18 school year.

Crosby continues to be active in the community in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. He created the Sidney Crosby Foundation in 2009, an organization committed to helping charities benefiting children.{{cite news|url=http://prosgiveback.com/crosbys-a-poster-boy-for-more-than-just-hockey/ |title=Crosby's a poster boy for more than just hockey |access-date=May 1, 2016 |work=Pros Give Back |date=September 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601132607/http://prosgiveback.com/crosbys-a-poster-boy-for-more-than-just-hockey/ |archive-date=June 1, 2016 }} In 2015, he started a hockey school in Cole Harbour.{{cite news|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/1302367-sidney-crosby-hockey-school-launching-in-cole-harbour |title=Sidney Crosby hockey school launching in Cole Harbour |access-date=May 1, 2016 |work=The Chronicle Herald |date=July 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415102328/http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/1302367-sidney-crosby-hockey-school-launching-in-cole-harbour |archive-date=April 15, 2016 }} His "Little Penguins Program" has provided free equipment and lessons to more than ten thousand local youngsters in Pittsburgh.{{cite web|title=Registration Begins Nov. 6 For Sidney Crosby's Little Penguins Program|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/little-penguins-learn-to-play/c-301268930|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=October 26, 2018|date=October 25, 2018|archive-date=November 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110200106/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/little-penguins-learn-to-play/c-301268930|url-status=live}}

{{Ice hockey stats}}.

Bold indicates led league

• _{1999–2000 stats are from "Age-old question: Cole Harbour hockey association bars peewee player from bantam tourney". The Halifax Daily News. April 5, 2000.}

File:Sidney Crosby 2017-10-04.jpg]]

File:SidneyCrosby2010WinterOlympicsgold - cropped.jpg following the 2010 Winter Olympics.]]

• Youngest player to win a World Championship scoring title

• Assists (63) and points (102) in a season by a rookie{{cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=163031 |title=Crosby hits 100 points in Penguins win |agency=The Canadian Press |date=April 18, 2006 |access-date=June 27, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530200920/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=163031 |archive-date=May 30, 2008 }}
• Most regular season overtime goals (13)
• Most games played
• Most playoff points
• Most playoff assists
• Most playoff games
• Most points in the Stanley Cup Finals (20)
• Most playoff multi-point games{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-captain-sidney-crosby-leads-by-example/c-289183368|title=Sidney Crosby leads by example, climbing Penguins record book|last=Gulitti|first=Tom|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 30, 2017|access-date=April 30, 2017|archive-date=April 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421031101/https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-captain-sidney-crosby-leads-by-example/c-289183368|url-status=live}}

• First rookie to record 100 points and 100 penalty minutes in a season{{cite web|url=https://azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0127crosby0127.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731062028/http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0127crosby0127.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2012|title=Crosby on verge of taking over Great One's throne|last=Vest|first=David|work=The Arizona Republic|date=January 27, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2008}}{{cite web|title=CROSBY YOUNGEST TO SCORE 100; BREAKS LEMIEUX'S ROOKIE RECORD|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/crosby-youngest-to-score-100-breaks-lemieuxs-rookie-record/c-494602|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=December 31, 2017|date=April 8, 2006|archive-date=January 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101135449/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/crosby-youngest-to-score-100-breaks-lemieuxs-rookie-record/c-494602|url-status=live}}
• Youngest player to record 100 points in a season (18 years, 253 days)
• Youngest player to record 200 career points (19 years and 207 days){{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/crosby-youngest-to-net-200-nhl-points-1.636081 |title=Crosby youngest to net 200 NHL points |publisher=CBC Sports |date=March 2, 2007 |access-date=April 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826161655/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2007/03/02/crosby-milestone.html |archive-date=August 26, 2009}}
• Youngest player to record 2 consecutive 100-point seasons (19 years, 215 days).
• Youngest player voted to the starting line-up in an All-Star Game{{cite news|title=Crosby becomes youngest player voted to start in All-Star Game |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_487885.html |agency=Associated Press |work=Tribune Review |date=January 10, 2007 |access-date=January 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112082203/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_487885.html |archive-date=January 12, 2007 }}
• Youngest Art Ross Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award winner
• Youngest player to be named to the first All-Star team
• Youngest player to lead NHL playoffs in scoring (20 years, 9 months, and 28 days)
• Youngest NHL captain to win Stanley Cup (21 years, 10 months, and 5 days)
• 6th player in NHL history to win multiple Conn Smythe Trophies.
• Fewest games played by an NHL team's leading scorer (his 66 points in 41 games were the most of any player on the 2010–11 Penguins squad)

{{Portal|Canada|Nova Scotia|Hockey}}

• List of Pittsburgh Penguins players
• List of NHL players with 50 goal seasons
• List of NHL players with 100-point seasons
• List of NHL players with 1,000 points
• List of NHL players with 1,000 games played
• List of NHL players with 500 goals

{{Reflist|group=notes}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Citation|last=Pincus|first=Arthur|year=2006|title=The Official Illustrated NHL History|publisher=Reader's Digest|isbn=0-88850-800-X}}

{{Commons category|Sidney Crosby}}

• {{Ice hockey stats}}

{{NHLCaptains}}

{{Navboxes|list1=

{{s-start}}

{{s-sports}}

{{s-bef|before=Mario Lemieux}}

{{s-ttl|title=Pittsburgh Penguins captain|years=2007–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-ach}}

{{succession box | before = Alexander Ovechkin | title = NHL first overall draft pick | years = 2005 | after = Erik Johnson}}

{{succession box | before = Evgeni Malkin | title = Pittsburgh Penguins first round draft pick | years = 2005 | after = Jordan Staal}}

{{succession box | before = Corey Locke | title = CHL Player of the Year | years = 2004, 2005 | after = Alexander Radulov}}

{{succession box | before = Joe Thornton
Martin St. Louis | title = Winner of the Art Ross Trophy | years = 2007
2014 | after = Alexander Ovechkin
Jamie Benn}}

{{succession box | before = Jaromír Jágr | title = Winner of the Lester B. Pearson Award | years = 2007 | after = Alexander Ovechkin}}

{{succession box | before = Joe Thornton
Alexander Ovechkin | title = Winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy | years = 2007
2014 | after = Alexander Ovechkin
Carey Price}}

{{succession box | before = Steve Nash
Justin Morneau | title = Winner of the Lionel Conacher Award | years = 2007
2009, 2010 | after = Justin Morneau
Patrick Chan}}

{{succession box | before = Alexander Ovechkin | title = Winner of the Rocket Richard Trophy | with = Steven Stamkos | years = 2010 | after = Corey Perry}}

{{succession box | before = Evgeni Malkin | title = Winner of the Ted Lindsay Award | years = 2013, 2014 | after = Carey Price}}

{{succession box | before = Duncan Keith | title = Winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy | years = 2016, 2017 | after = Alexander Ovechkin}}

{{succession box | before = Jaromír Jágr | title = Best NHL Player ESPY Award | years = 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 | after = Tim Thomas}}

{{s-end}}

{{Triple Gold Club}}

{{Lou Marsh Trophy}}

{{Lionel Conacher Award}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crosby, Sidney}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:Art Ross Trophy winners

Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States

Category:Canadian ice hockey centres

Category:Canadian philanthropists

Category:Conn Smythe Trophy winners

Category:First overall NHL draft picks

Category:Hart Memorial Trophy winners

Category:Ice hockey people from Halifax, Nova Scotia

Category:Ice hockey people from Pittsburgh

Category:Ice hockey players at the 2010 Winter Olympics

Category:Ice hockey players at the 2014 Winter Olympics

Category:Lester B. Pearson Award winners

Category:Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics

Category:Medalists at the 2014 Winter Olympics

Category:Members of the Order of Nova Scotia

Category:National Hockey League All-Stars

Category:NHL first-round draft picks

Category:Northern Star Award winners

Category:Officers of the Order of Canada

Category:Olympic gold medalists for Canada

Category:Olympic ice hockey players for Canada

Category:Olympic medalists in ice hockey

Category:People from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia

Category:Sportspeople from Sewickley, Pennsylvania

Category:Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks

Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players

Category:Rimouski Océanic players

Category:Rocket Richard Trophy winners

Category:Stanley Cup champions

Category:4 Nations Face-Off players