Sidney Crosby Deserves MVP Talk if Penguins Reach Playoffs
If the Pittsburgh Penguins make their way back to the postseason, it'll be thanks in large part due to Sidney Crosby.
The Pittsburgh Penguins had a rough start to the 2023-24 season hovering around .500 and at points being closer to the basement than a spot in the postseason.
Despite those losses, the Penguins were getting stellar performances from their captain, 36-year-old Sidney Crosby.
Through the first 16 games of the season, Crosby was held without a goal or an assist just one time.
Crosby recorded 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points in that span, but the Penguins were an even 8-8-0 on the year.
The Penguins are still floating around the .500 mark, but it’s pretty clear that Crosby is doing everything he can to push this team back into the postseason.
If the Penguins are able to find their way back to the dance, there is no doubt that it will be thanks to the play of Crosby, and he would be more than deserving of discussion for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.
With a lacking power play, Crosby and his linemate Jake Guentzel have consistently been near the top of the leaderboard for even strength points.
Heading into this season, after missing the playoffs in 2022-23, there were little whipsers that if Crosby can fight off Father Time and get the Penguins back to the dance, he deserves some looks for the Hart.
Those whispers may have turned into shouts after his performance against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Penguins were down by two early, but Crosby fought back by contributing two goals and an assist for force overtime and eventually a 12-round shootout.
Crosby took over in Montreal, it wasn’t the first time he’s done something like that this season, and surely won’t be the last.
The Penguins are still trying to fight their way back up the standings, but if Crosby has anything to say about it, he’ll make sure they’re right back where they belong.
Crosby is on pace for a near career high 50 goals and a total of 94 points, again at the age of 36.
At this moment, according to BetMGM, Crosby still has extremely long odds of winning the Hart, sitting at a +8000; that could be a good value bet.
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