Pittsburgh Penguins

Great Week for Penguins’ Sidney Crosby: From Slump to Streak

Last week was a great one for the Penguins Sidney Crosby. How did he move from a slump to a scoring streak? How is Crosby leading his team?

by
Old Prof
November 3, 2024

After a quiet start to the season, Sidney Crosby silenced critics and reignited the Pittsburgh Penguins’ offense with a remarkable week. Not long ago, Crosby was considered to be in a slump. After last night’s 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens – well, not so much.

Crosby turned heads by racking up multiple points over three consecutive games, showcasing his continuing skill and leadership at age 37. Here’s a chronological breakdown of Crosby’s dominant performances this past week.

October 30, 2024: Crosby Dishes Three Assists Against the Wild

The week began on a high note, with Crosby picking up three assists in a 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild. While the Penguins struggled to contain Minnesota’s offense, Crosby was everywhere on the ice. He set up each of Pittsburgh’s goals and contributed a power-play assist.

This game marked the start of what would become an impressive points streak. It lifted Crosby’s season total to 10 points across 11 games. Despite the team’s inconsistency, Crosby’s play showed he was still a force on the ice.

Crosby’s assists weren’t just routine setups. Instead, they were calculated plays that showed his vision and ability to adapt. The three-assist game elevated his team’s scoring chances even if Crosby wasn’t putting pucks in the net himself.

November 1, 2024: Crosby Scores Twice, Including Overtime Winner, Against the Ducks

Following his assist-heavy game against the Wild, Crosby delivered another impactful performance. He scored twice in Pittsburgh’s 2-1 overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks. This game was a turning point: after a 10-game stretch where he had only one goal, Crosby scored both of Pittsburgh’s goals. His last one was the overtime winner.

His decisive goal brought the Penguins a much-needed win. The team had struggled with inconsistency and offensive production early in the season. The two-goal game gave Crosby five points over two games, ending his early-season slump. His play showed his ability to finish and his knack for clutch games, even as he approaches 20 NHL seasons.

November 2, 2024: Crosby Scores Two More Goals Against the Canadiens

A day after his game-winning performance against Anaheim, Crosby continued his hot streak. Last night, he scored two more goals in a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. This marked his second straight two-goal game. It also pushed his point total to 14 for the season, with five goals and nine assists in 13 games. The Penguins, led by Crosby’s resurgence, were back on track.

Saturday’s game was a testament to his ability to respond under pressure. After whispers about his slow start and the Penguins’ struggles, Crosby delivered again. By doing so, he proved why he’s one of the game’s all-time greats. His power-play goal against Montreal underscored his impact in all situations, while his consistent shot production (three shots on net) reflected his renewed focus on generating scoring chances.

The Bottom Line Is that Crosby Can Still Respond

In a matter of days, Crosby reshaped the narrative around his season from early struggles to a season where he’s inspiring success. In his last three games, he put up an impressive seven points (four goals, three assists) and played a crucial role in two Pittsburgh wins. The week has reminded fans and critics alike of Crosby’s talent. He continues to produce at an elite level.

With Crosby back in top form, the Penguins hope his renewed scoring touch will help them climb up the standings. His recent play also suggests he’s on track for another 90-point season. It would be his third in a row.

As Crosby proves, age is just a number for one of hockey’s most incredible talents.