Crosby Returns to the Goal Column in Win Over Nashville

While they’re few and far between, Sidney Crosby has experienced a few scoring slumps throughout his Hall of Fame career.

When those rare stretches get to the point that reporters bring them up during media availability, it tends to be a good sign.

"Usually when I’m asked about it, is usually when it starts to change. So, thank you,” Crosby said with a grin after Wednesday’s practice. “What took you so long?!"

Sure enough, Crosby broke his goalless drought the following day in Nashville, as the Penguins defeated the Predators in overtime, 4-3. It marked the first tally in 10 games for Crosby, with his last coming on Nov. 3 versus Utah, when the captain got his 600^th.

“I mean, it feels good. Hit the post five seconds before that, and then to see one go in is nice,” Crosby said. “So, hopefully it’ll start to go in in bunches now. But yeah, definitely a relief to see one go in and just to find a way to get some momentum there, I thought we built off that and it was big in getting back in the game.”

It was part of a four-point night (1G-3A) for No. 87, who said the mindset had to be centered around playing the right way, and trusting that pucks would start going in the net. “I don't think you can start to force it or start cheating,” Crosby said.

On the play, Crosby went down to tip a point shot from Erik Karlsson (who later scored the tying goal to force overtime, his first since Nov. 8) during a second-period power play. It was the cumulation of some particularly incredible efforts from Crosby, over the last two games in particular.

“Yeah, we go hand in hand. I just don't have 600 unfortunately, I haven't been here long enough,” Karlsson joked. “But it's nice. I think it's well-timed goals. Obviously, he had a huge game for us today, and he's been playing extremely well lately and been generating a lot of chances. Eventually they're going to go in, and hopefully, it's a snowball effect.”

Crosby had an inspiring third period in Tuesday’s overtime win over Los Angeles, with Mike Sullivan saying after the game, “I think he’s so close. He could’ve had three tonight. He could’ve had three in the third period alone. So, I think it’s a matter of time.”

Crosby made a terrific play to Matt Grzelyck for his tying goal in that contest, with the Penguins head coach saying the captain is probably the only player in the rink who could execute that sequence – a backhand sauce that landed flat on the defenseman’s tape.

Crosby picked up another assist on his linemate Bryan Rust’s goal – which had tied the score at 1-1 after the Penguins gave up one early – before getting his own. Crosby’s tally cut the deficit to 3-2.

The third member of Pittsburgh’s top trio, Rickard Rakell, made it 3-3 just over a minute later. With Rust later scoring the overtime winner, they combined for 10 points (!) on the night.

“I thought his line was terrific all night,” Sullivan said. “Obviously, they’re all over the scoresheet. Sid's in the middle of it all, so I think it's been coming. I told you guys this for a few games now, I just feel like he's going to bust out. He's been all around it. He gets a great goal tonight, but I just thought his overall two-way game was terrific.”