Sidney Crosby reached an incredible milestone on Saturday night, scoring his 600th NHL goal during a five-on-three power play in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 6-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. Crosby, the 21st player in league history to achieve this feat, fired a one-timer from a pass by Erik Karlsson, marking the second period at 3:11. This goal highlighted Crosby’s remarkable form, as he now has seven goals in his last 12 games. Karlsson also made history by surpassing Borje Salming for 15th place on the NHL’s all-time career assists list among defensemen.
Despite Crosby’s achievement, the Penguins struggled, losing their 14th game in their last 18 outings. The team has conceded at least four goals in six of their past 10 games, a troubling trend that contributed to their defeat against Utah. The Penguins’ Alex Nedeljkovic made 24 saves but couldn’t stop Utah’s onslaught, which included goals from Dylan Guenther (two), Nick Bjugstad, Jack McBain, Mikhail Sergachev, and Alexander Kerfoot. Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka delivered a strong performance, stopping 27 shots to help his team snap a three-game losing streak.
Crosby’s milestone places him in elite company, joining Alex Ovechkin as the only active players with 600 NHL goals. Furthermore, Crosby is one of only seven players to score 600 goals with a single team, joining Mario Lemieux as the only Penguins to do so. This achievement also makes Pittsburgh just the second franchise, alongside Detroit, to boast multiple 600-goal scorers, a testament to the team’s storied history. Crosby also joins Wayne Gretzky as the only players in NHL history to achieve 600 goals, 1,600 points, three Stanley Cups, and two Conn Smythe trophies.
For Utah, the win was a crucial morale booster, ending their losing streak as they prepare to visit Toronto on Sunday. Nick Bjugstad played a pivotal role in regaining momentum after Crosby’s goal, scoring to extend Utah’s lead to 3-1. His contribution was particularly notable, as he once played for Pittsburgh, adding a layer of personal significance to the victory. Utah’s offensive depth and goaltending were key in their commanding win.
The Penguins, on the other hand, continue to face challenges as they wrap up their five-game homestand against Vancouver on Wednesday. Crosby’s milestone, while historic, underscores the team’s broader struggles this season. With defensive lapses and inconsistent goaltending, Pittsburgh must regroup to turn their season around, despite individual brilliance from their captain.
