The Pittsburgh Penguins have been blessed to have two of the NHL’s greatest players of all time: Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux.
Together, the pair are responsible for the franchise’s five Stanley Cup championships and have 3,358 points and counting.
On Dec. 23, 2024, Crosby scored three assists in a win over the Philadelphia Flyers to tie Lemieux’s record of 1,033 assists.
Although it only took Lemieux 915 games to set the record, which he has held since his retirement in 2005, Crosby took the longer route, tying the mark in game 1,308.
However, Lemieux played in the league from 1984 to 1997 and again from 2000 to 2005. Even at the tail end of his Hall of Fame career, he never skated against the Seattle Kraken, Vegas Golden Knights, or Utah Hockey Club.
Meanwhile, Crosby has played against 32 teams, including the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) and the Arizona Coyotes, who used to be the Winnipeg Jets, during Lemieux’s era.
Here’s a breakdown of each player’s assist totals against NHL opponents:
Considering the difference of almost 400 games between the two captains, one of the most prominent statistics that stands out between the two lists is Crosby has at least an assist-per-game average against only two teams, the Minnesota Wild and the New York Islanders.
Conversely, Lemieux achieved the feat against 19 teams, with a 2.29 assist-per-game average against the San Jose Sharks.
Related: Top 5 Penguins Players With Most Assists From Sidney Crosby
Moreover, Crosby’s highest total against a single club is 93 (Islanders), a few assists better than Lemieux’s best total, 88 against the New Jersey Devils.
After 20 seasons in a Penguins sweater, Crosby has set up 113 players for a goal and needs to connect with two more players to reach 115; the total Lemieux retired with.
Out of the current Pittsburgh players, the candidates waiting for their first helper from Crosby are Blake Lizotte, Kevin Hayes, Noel Acciari, Cody Glass, Matt Nieto, Owen Pickering, Ryan Shea, and Jack St. Ivany.
Who’s next?
Analyzing Crosby And Lemieux’s Career Assist Totals Side-by-Side
When it comes to discussing the greatest playmakers in NHL history, two names that often come up are Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux. Both players have had illustrious careers filled with impressive accomplishments, including racking up assists at an impressive rate.
Let’s take a closer look at their career assist totals to see how they stack up against each other:
Sidney Crosby:
– Total career assists: 851
– Average assists per season: 0.78
– Career high in assists in a single season: 84 (2010-2011)
Mario Lemieux:
– Total career assists: 1,033
– Average assists per season: 0.88
– Career high in assists in a single season: 114 (1988-1989)
When comparing the two players’ assist totals, it’s clear that Lemieux has the edge in terms of total assists and average assists per season. However, Crosby has been able to consistently rack up assists at a high rate throughout his career, despite facing numerous injuries and challenges.
Both players have showcased their incredible playmaking abilities on the ice, with Crosby’s vision and passing skills being praised by many in the hockey world. Lemieux, on the other hand, was known for his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates with his exceptional vision and hockey IQ.
In conclusion, while Lemieux may have the higher assist totals, Crosby’s consistency and ability to create plays on a nightly basis have solidified his place as one of the top playmakers in NHL history. It’s clear that both players have left a lasting impact on the game of hockey with their incredible playmaking abilities.
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Crosby and Lemieux career assists, NHL legends, comparing assists, hockey greats, career statistics, hockey analysis, Crosby vs Lemieux assist totals, hockey legends’ assists, player comparison, NHL career assists.
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