Crosby joins Gretzky, Howe in record book with 16th point per game season
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby joined some historic company in the NHL record books during Saturday's 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Crosby notched his 55th point of the 2020-21 campaign with an empty net goal, officially clinching his 16th straight point per game season. Only Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky have managed more seasons with a point per game pace, with 17 and 19, respectively, the team announced.
Crosby also joins Gretzky as the only players in NHL history to start their careers with 16-plus consecutive point per game campaigns.
Crosby currently ranks fifth in points per game among players who have played at least 700 contests.
| Rank | Player | GP | P/GP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayne Gretzky | 1487 | 1.92 |
| 2 | Mario Lemieux | 915 | 1.88 |
| 3 | Mike Bossy | 752 | 1.50 |
| 4 | Marcel Dionne | 1348 | 1.31 |
| 5 | Sidney Crosby | 1031 | 1.28 |
With the goal during Saturday's contest, Crosby also broke a tie with Lemieux and teammate Evgeni Malkin to become the first player in Penguins history to record 20-plus goals in 13 different seasons, according to NHL PR.
"He's a generational talent ... he’s in such elite company," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "He’s building a real compelling argument for being one of the greatest players of all time. We believe he is, but with each milestone he reaches it just provides hard evidence."
The 33-year-old has recorded 20 goals and 35 assists in 47 games this season. In 1,031 career games, he's amassed 482 goals and 836 assists while capturing three Stanley Cup victories, two Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies, and two Hart Trophies.