Crosby scores 500th NHL goal for Penguins, second active player

PITTSBURGH-- Sidney Crosby scored his 500th NHL goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old center scored in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers to join Alex Ovechkin (761) as the only active NHL players to score that many.
"Excited," Crosby said. "Just kind of been hovering around it here for a few games, so it was a lot of fun to be able to do it at home and with all the guys coming on the ice like that. That's something I'll definitely always remember. That's basically what was going through my mind, just a lot of joy."
Crosby is the 46th NHL player to score 500 goals, and the first since Patrick Marleau with the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 2, 2017.
Crosby, who has scored 14 goals this season, is the second player to score 500 for Pittsburgh, joining Mario Lemieux (690).
"I've been able to witness most of them, incredible goals over the years, and I'm sure there'll be plenty more in the future," Lemieux said in a video. "So, again, congratulations, enjoy tonight, and all the best to you, my friend."
The goal was scored on the power play with 3:26 remaining in the period and gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead. Evgeni Malkin had the assist, his 109th on a Crosby goal. Kris Letang scored 31 seconds into overtime to give
Pittsburgh a 5-4 win
.
"You look back at different things over the last 16, 17 years, that's a memory I'll always hold pretty close," Crosby said. "Like you said, with 'Geno' assisting on it, with it being at home against Philadelphia, obviously you know the history of those two teams. I think everything that went into it, and obviously to get the win, it changes the whole dynamic a little bit when you're able to get the win at the end. So I think all those things combined made it for a special night."
Crosby missed the first seven games this season after having wrist surgery Sept. 8. He debuted Oct. 30 in a 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils before missing five games in NHL COVID-19 protocol.
After scoring five goals in his first 25 games, Crosby has scored nine in his past 13, including No. 499 in a 4-2 win against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 8.
This was his 50th goal against the Flyers, his most against any team. His Penguins teammates left the bench to celebrate, and the crowd later chanted "Sid-ney, Cros-by!"
"Everybody wanted to get it for him. Get him the puck. Get that 500," Letang said. "It's such a special moment in a career like he has. Everybody was so happy, so excited for him. I think it was perfect. I think it was the way he wanted it to be, everybody on the ice with him. That's the type of player he is, and guy. It was just great."
Crosby's parents, Troy Crosby and Trina Forbes-Crosby, were among the 18,385 in attendance at PPG Paints Arena.
"It's really nice," Sidney Crosby said. "They haven't been to as many games the last couple years, so I think it was just important to share that with them. They've been there for some pretty cool things over the years, pretty cool experiences. This is another one to add. They've been living out of a suitcase here for a couple of weeks, wanting to be here for this one. So glad I could finally get it."
Crosby won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL goals leader for the first time in 2009-10, when he tied Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos with an NHL career-high 51. Crosby also led the NHL in 2016-17, when he scored 44 goals.
He has missed 285 games due to injury or shortened seasons since making his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005. He scored his first goal in his third game, Oct. 8 against the Bruins.
"It's been an incredible journey for me to be the coach of the Penguins and, in particular, to coach Sid," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "First and foremost, he's just such a terrific person. For me, it's a lot of fun to work with him and develop a partnership with him and our leadership group.
"Over the time that I've been here (seven seasons), I've had the privilege of seeing a fair amount of milestones over this time here with respect to Sid. I thought tonight might be the most special one. For me, it's such an honor to be part of his personal milestone. I thought it was so cool just to see the reaction of the players and the fans. He's just so deserving. That's the way I look at it. I think, Sid, he represents everything that's right about our game. His humility, the way he carries himself, his work ethic, his team-first attitude and approach. He leads by example."