Sidney Crosby is just 36 points from passing Mario Lemieux and this season might be his biggest chapter yet

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Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby is about to make hockey history in the 2025-26 NHL season. With 1,687 career points, he’s only 36 points shy of breaking Mario Lemieux’s franchise record of 1,723 points.

At 37, Crosby is still playing at an elite level, and this season might be the most important part of his already legendary career.

Sidney Crosby could pass Mario Lemieux in just 32 games

Sidney Crosby’s career is a brilliant example of both consistency and resilience. Since his NHL debut in 2005, he has played over 1,200 games, averaging more than a point per game for 20 straight seasons—a record that’s unmatched in league history. In the last season (2024-25), at 37 years old, he scored 33 goals and 91 points in 80 games, achieving his third consecutive season with over 90 points.

He ended the year on a strong note, tallying 30 points in the Penguins’ last 21 games, according to NHL.com stats.

As it stands, Crosby is at 1,687 points and requires just 36 more to achieve 1,723 and go beyond Lemieux. With his average of 1.14 points per game from last season, he might reach this goal in just 32 games—likely by the All-Star break in early 2026. “I’ve been fortunate to play a long time and be around great players,” Crosby said in a 2025 press conference.

“To be mentioned with Mario is special, and I’m just focused on helping the team.

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Sidney Crosby continues to defy age with another point-per-game season

Most players at his age typically face a significant decline, yet he continues to be a point-per-game powerhouse. If he keeps this up, overtaking Lemieux is nearly guaranteed unless he suffers an injury. However, this season is more than just numbers—it’s about building a legacy. Crosby has steered the Penguins to three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017) and has nurtured a fresh generation of players.

Surpassing Lemieux would establish him as the greatest Penguin in history, a title Lemieux has held for many years.

The timing definitely brings some drama. The Penguins have been out of the playoffs for three consecutive years, and the 2025-26 lineup might not be a strong contender. However, Crosby's quest for history will keep fans watching closely. “Sidney is a once-in-a-generation player,” Lemieux told ESPN in a 2024 interview.

“It’s been an honor to watch him grow and succeed with the Penguins.” Breaking this record could be the highlight of a season otherwise short on team success.Also Read: Fans melt over Darnell Nurse’s Wife’s wedding kiss post while the Edmonton Oilers might be planning his exitIf Crosby breaks the record sooner, what’s in store? A lot. He’s 161 points shy of Ron Francis (1,798) for fifth all-time—a challenging target, but possible if he continues playing beyond 2027. Winning another Stanley Cup would support his claim as the NHL’s greatest ever, but the current Penguins roster complicates that. Still, his two-year deal means he has more chances to build on his legacy.