First, though, McDavid and Crosby played their 17th NHL game against each other on Thursday. Crosby scored and was plus-2 in the Penguins win, while McDavid was held without a point and was minus-2.
Crosby now has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) when going head-to-head with McDavid, who has 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists).
It was just another indication that Crosby, at the age of 38, is still going strong. He leads the Penguins in goals (27), assists (30) and points (57) in 50 games this season, and in a 4-3 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 21, he surpassed Mario Lemieux (1,723) for the most points in Pittsburgh’s history.
As a result, the pride of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, has helped the Penguins (25-14-11) jump up into second place in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh is trying to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2021-22.
“He just loves it. He loves playing, loves competing,” McDavid said. “It seems like he loves everything about it, and when you love it, it’s pretty easy to show up and work and continue to get better, even at his age. It’s amazing to see, and he’s doing it again this year. He’s amazing to watch.”
McDavid, 29, has been impressive this season as well. The Richmond Hill, Ontario, native has 85 points (30 goals, 55 assists) in 52 games, which is tied with Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche for the NHL lead. Edmonton (25-19-8), which has lost in the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons, is in second place in the Pacific Division.
But before the playoffs arrive, McDavid will look to accomplish something Crosby (2010, 2014) has done twice in his career: win an Olympic gold medal.