The Pittsburgh Penguins are ready to make some history this Saturday night in Toronto as they face off against the Maple Leafs in their home opener. Veteran stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are on the brink of some impressive milestones, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.
Crosby, the 37-year-old captain of the Penguins, is just two points away from reaching an incredible 1,600 points in his 20-year NHL career. “It’s definitely a special moment to be able to reach such a milestone,” Crosby said. “I’m just focused on helping the team win, but it would be a great achievement.”
With only nine other players in NHL history having reached the 1,600 point mark, Crosby is on the cusp of joining an elite group of legends. The native of Cole Harbour, N.S., has an impressive record of 592 goals and 1,006 assists over 1,274 career games with the Penguins. “It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had,” Crosby added.
Meanwhile, Malkin is also eyeing a milestone of his own, needing just two goals on Saturday to join the exclusive 500 goal club. “Scoring 500 goals would be a fantastic accomplishment,” Malkin said. “I’m focused on helping the team win games, and if I can reach this milestone along the way, it would be great.”
Malkin, 38, is signed through the 2025-26 season at $6.1 million and has scored 498 goals and 800 assists over 1,147 games and 19 seasons in Pittsburgh. He would become the 48th player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal mark, solidifying his place among the league’s elite scorers.
Crosby, Malkin, and Red Wings veteran Patrick Kane are the only active players with 800 assists, showcasing the incredible talent of these seasoned veterans. The Penguins are excited to see what milestones Crosby and Malkin can achieve as they continue to lead the team towards success.
On the other side, the Maple Leafs are looking to make a statement in their home opener at Scotiabank Arena after splitting the opening two games of the regular season on the road. Fans can expect an intense matchup as two of the league’s top teams go head-to-head in what promises to be a thrilling game of hockey.