Two of the NHL’s elders — 38-year-old Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and 37-year-old Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers — are showing that they can still get the job done.
Crosby and Marchand figure to be two of the most-watched players on Thursday night when the Panthers play host to the Penguins in Sunrise, Fla.
Crosby has scored more than 30 goals in each of his past four seasons. And, in 21 years in the league, he has never failed to average more than a point per game.
Against the Panthers, Crosby is as deadly as he is against everyone else, producing 30 goals and 68 points in 53 games. Of those 30 goals, 12 have come on the power play and one was shorthanded.
Crosby is off to a fast start this season with four goals and four assists in seven games. He will enter Thursday on a four-game points streak and a three-game goals streak.
On Tuesday, in a 5-1 win over visiting Vancouver, Crosby passed his mentor, Mario Lemieux, to set the Penguins career points record, including postseason. Crosby now has 1,896 points, including 700 goals.
“I don’t know if I can put into words how much it means,” Crosby said. “Having someone like Mario and his family to keep things as normal as possible. … I cherish that relationship with Mario and his family.”
The Penguins overall are off to a good start as they have won three straight games, including two in a row on the road.
Besides Crosby, the Penguins are powered by another veteran star, 39-year-old Evgeni Malkin, who leads the team in points (10) and assists (eight).
At goalie, the Penguins have split the duties between Arturs Silovs (3-1-0, 2.25 goals-against average) and Tristan Jarry (2-1-0, 2.35 GAA).
Meanwhile, the Panthers — the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions — are 3-0-0 at home and 1-4-0 on the road.
The Panthers broke a four-game losing streak on Tuesday, winning 4-3 at Boston. During that four-game skid, the Panthers managed just four goals.
On Tuesday, however, Marchand provided two assists in his first return to Boston, where he played 16 years before being traded to Florida in March.
Marchand signed a six-year contract extension in July. His leadership has been critical for the Panthers, who are missing star forwards Aleksander Barkov (knee injury) and Matthew Tkachuk (groin). Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (arm) and forward Tomas Nosek (knee) are also out.
The Panthers’ leader in points (eight), goals (three) and assists (five), Marchand said his return to Boston on Tuesday was emotional.
“I knew it was going to hit me,” said Marchand, who was greeted with an on-ice video tribute that highlighted his time with the Bruins. “I’m so grateful for that moment. I appreciate all the love and support the fans have shown me.”
Panthers fans, though, are grateful for goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who is off to a positive start with a 4-2-0 record, a .914 save percentage and a 2.19 GAA.
In 36 career games against the Penguins, Bobrovsky is 20-10-6 with a .914 save percentage and a 2.68 GAA.
