Sidney Crosby breaks Penguins
scoring record previously held by Mario Lemieux
[December 22, 2025]
By DAN SCIFO
PITTSBURGH (AP) — As far as Sidney Crosby is concerned, Mario
Lemieux is still No. 1 in his book.
But after Sunday night, Lemieux is now officially No. 2.
Crosby broke Lemieux’s franchise scoring record with a goal and an
assist in the first period of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 4-3 shootout
win against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night.
“I don’t think you can put a stat line or a number on what he means
to this team and to hockey, so yeah, in my mind, he’s still No. 1,”
Crosby said.
Crosby, who began the night one point behind Lemieux, now has 645
goals and 1,079 assists for 1,724 points in 1,387 games. It also
moved him past Lemieux for the eighth-most points in NHL history.
Crosby tipped Erik Karlsson’s point shot at 7:58 of the first period
for a goal to tie the record. He then broke the mark with 7:20 left
in the period when his shot on a power play hit Bryan Rust and
Rickard Rakell tapped the rebound behind Jakub Dobes.
Crosby, Rust and Rakell embraced behind the net after the goal and
the Penguins spilled over the bench to congratulate their captain.
Later in the period, a 30-second video message recorded by Lemieux
congratulating Crosby on the accomplishment was played.
“I knew when we played together in 2005 that you were going to be a
very special player and accomplish a lot of great things in your
career,” Lemieux said in the message. “Here we are 20 years later,
you’re now one of the best to ever play the game.”
A hush fell over the arena as fans intently listened to Lemieux’s
message.
“Seeing the crowd go quiet when Mario’s message come on, that was
pretty special,” Crosby said. “If you don’t understand the impact
he’s had here and you were here tonight, I think you understand it a
little bit better given how quiet it got.”
Lemieux, the Hall of Famer, who also owned the franchise following
his second retirement, became the Penguins’ all-time points leader,
surpassing then-assistant coach Rick Kehoe on Jan. 20, 1989, when
Crosby was 17 months old. Lemieux, who was in the lineup when Crosby
recorded his first NHL point, finished his career with 1,723 points
in 915 games.
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) skates back to the bench
after celebrating with teammates after taking over from former
Penguins' Mario Lemieux, as the Penguins all-time points leader
during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montréal
Canadiens in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J.
Puskar)
“I have so much appreciation for having the
opportunity to play with him, live with him and learn from him,”
said Crosby, who lived with Lemieux and his family early in his
career. “You grow up watching him, you never expect you’re going to
make it to the NHL let alone play with him. He was a big part of
helping me out and a huge influence on me.”
Crosby, the No. 1 overall pick in 2005, is the
seventh outright all-time points leader in 58 years of the
franchise’s history and the ninth active player to lead a franchise
in points. Crosby previously broke Lemieux’s record for most assists
in franchise history last Dec. 29 against the New York Islanders.
Crosby is 45 goals behind Lemieux’s franchise record of 690.
Crosby is now third on the NHL’s all-time points list with a single
franchise, behind only Steve Yzerman (1,755) and Gordie Howe
(1,809), both with Detroit.
Crosby also passed Phil Esposito (449) for sole possession of the
ninth-most even-strength goals in NHL history. He also tied Adam
Oates for the eighth-most assists in NHL history in the first
period. Crosby, who has 20 goals this season, achieved his 18th
20-goal season. Only six players in NHL history have more.
The biggest number on Sunday was Lemieux’ franchise scoring record.
“Having an opportunity to play on the same line and connect on a few
goals … those are things that I’ll always remember,” Crosby said.
“The impact he’s had on me, this team and hockey in general is
pretty amazing.”
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