### Sidney Crosby Achieves Historic Milestone, Surpassing Mario Lemieux in Penguins Franchise History On December 22, 2025, Sidney Crosby made history by surpassing Mario Lemieux to become the all-time leading scorer for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This remarkable achievement occurred during a game against the Montreal Canadiens at PPG Paints Arena, where Crosby scored a goal and provided an assist, bringing his career total to 1,724 points. This milestone not only highlights Crosby's exceptional talent but also cements his legacy as one of the greatest players in NHL history. The Penguins won the game 4-3 in a shootout, ending an eight-game winless streak, further emphasizing the significance of Crosby's accomplishment in the context of the team's performance this season [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/crosby-does-passes-mario-pittsburgh-004139098.html, https://wtop.com/sports/2025/12/crosby-makes-history-as-penguins-edge-canadiens-4-3-in-shootout]. ### Breakdown of Crosby's Historic Achievement 1. **Record-Breaking Performance** - Crosby scored a goal and assisted on another in the first period against the Canadiens, surpassing Lemieux's previous record of 1,723 points. - This performance marked a significant moment in Crosby's career, as he had been one point shy of the record prior to the game [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sidney-crosby-breaks-mario-lemieuxs-035005848.html]. 2. **Impact on Team Dynamics** - The Penguins' victory not only highlighted Crosby's individual achievement but also helped the team snap an eight-game losing streak, showcasing the importance of his leadership [https://www.nhl.com/news/montreal-canadiens-pittsburgh-penguins-game-recap-december-21-2025]. - Crosby's ability to perform under pressure is a testament to his status as a franchise cornerstone [https://www.observer-reporter.com/sports/2025/dec/21/crosby-breaks-penguins-scoring-record-previously-held-by-lemieux-in-win-over-canadiens]. 3. **Crosby's Career Context** - At 37 years old and in his 21st NHL season, Crosby has accumulated 645 goals and 1,079 assists, solidifying his place among the all-time greats [https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/sidney-crosby-breaks-mario-lemieuxs-penguins-scoring-record]. - He is now eighth on the NHL's all-time points list, just 31 points behind Steve Yzerman for seventh place [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/penguins_sidney_crosby_passes_mario_lemieux_for_eighth_in_all_time_nhl_scoring/s1_16958_43235265]. ### Supporting Evidence of Crosby's Milestone - **Career Statistics**: - Goals: 645 - Assists: 1,079 - Total Points: 1,724 - Games Played: 1,387 - Current Season Points: 20 goals, 17 assists in 35 games [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/sidney_crosby_beats_mario_lemieuxs_record_for_penguins_points/s1_16454_43235081]. - **Historical Context**: - Crosby's achievement comes more than two decades after Lemieux set the previous record, highlighting the longevity and consistency of his performance [https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/crosby-franchise-scoring-record-penguins-canadiens-shootout]. - The Penguins' win against the Canadiens not only marked a personal victory for Crosby but also a crucial moment for the team's morale and season trajectory [https://triblive.com/sports/sidney-crosby-surpasses-mario-lemieux-as-penguins-snap-losing-streak]. ### Conclusion: Crosby's Legacy Solidified In summary, **Sidney Crosby's surpassing of Mario Lemieux's franchise scoring record is a landmark achievement that underscores his exceptional career and leadership**. The following points encapsulate the significance of this event: 1. **Historic Achievement**: Crosby is now the all-time leading scorer for the Penguins, with 1,724 points. 2. **Team Impact**: His performance helped the Penguins end an eight-game losing streak, demonstrating his influence on the team's success. 3. **Career Longevity**: Crosby's statistics reflect a remarkable career, positioning him among the greatest players in NHL history. This milestone not only enhances Crosby's legacy but also serves as a pivotal moment in the history of the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise [https://thepicks.com/us/news/nhl/sidney-crosby-penguins-all-time-points-record].