Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson are all on the verge of climbing the ranks of some NHL all-time lists
The Pittsburgh Penguins trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang have been lacing up the skates together for 19 consecutive seasons, which is the most by a trio in North American major professional sports history.
And they - along with teammate Erik Karlsson - continue to climb all-time lists together as well.
Here are some of those all-time NHL lists to look out for over the next several games:
Crosby and Letang can tie Esposito and Orr
Mar 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) talks with defenseman Kris Letang (58) before a face-off against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Crosby and Letang - as a goal duo - are just one goal shy of tying Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr for most combined goals by a forward-defenseman duo in NHL history, which would put them second all-time behind Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey.
Currently at 305 combined goals, Crosby and Letang need 45 more combined goals to tie Gretzky and Coffey at 350.
Malkin can overtake Jagr
Dec 7, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) takes the ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesRight now, Malkin is tied with Jaromir Jagr at 320 on Pittsburgh's all-time even-strength goals list.
With just one more goal, he will own sole possession of third place on that list behind Crosby (421) and Mario Lemieux (405).
Crosby set to get 'even' with Selanne
Nov 16, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates his goal with the Penguins bench against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesCrosby - who is already the all-time franchise leader in even-strength goals - is about to take that one step further.
He needs one more even-strength goal to tie Teemu Selanne (422) on the NHL all-time list at 12. Next up after Selanne for Crosby would be Bobby Hull at 437.
Karlsson nearly knotted with Orr
Dec 3, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) checks his stick against the Florida Panthers during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Karlsson is rapidly climbing NHL all-time offensive ranks among defensemen, and he is one point shy of tying Orr for the 13th-most assists by a defenseman in NHL history at 645.
After he ties and surpasses Orr, next up for Karlsson would be Brad Park at 683 for 12th place on that list.
