Sullivan lauds Crosby's 'insatiable appetite' for greatness after optional skate

Sidney Crosby could have taken the morning off following a Game 1 win over the San Jose Sharks.

Instead, he was one of a handful of Pittsburgh Penguins that participated in Tuesday's optional skate, because that's simply what he does, says head coach Mike Sullivan.

"I don't think he's as good as he is by accident," Sullivan said at a press conference. " As long as I've been associated with this league, I don't know that I've been around a player that has the same work ethic as Sid does as far as that insatiable appetite to just try to get better and be the best. I think that's why he's as good as he is.

"Everybody sees his talent. There's a lot of talented guys out there. But I think his work ethic allows him to be the player that he is. It's impressive."

Sullivan added Crosby's routine sets a standard for the rest of the team, providing an example of the type of work ethic expected from the top down.

Crosby saw 20:40 of ice time in Game 1 - most among Penguins' forwards - and recorded one assist, four shots, and a Corsi rating of 62.9 percent in all situations.

All in a day's work.