Toronto Maple Leafs superstars Auston Matthews and William Nylander have nothing but admiration for Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. Following Toronto’s exhilarating 6-5 overtime victory in Pittsburgh on Sunday, both players made it clear just how much they respect the legendary forward.
“There’s a reason he’s regarded so highly,” Matthews said of the 37-year-old Crosby (via Mark Masters of TSN). “No matter the season, he’s always playing at an elite level.”
Nylander, who sealed the game with the overtime winner, echoed the sentiment. “He’s unbelievable one of the greatest to ever play,” he said.
Crosby proved why he’s still a force in the NHL, delivering a standout performance with a goal and two assists, including a crucial setup for Bryan Rust’s second-period goal that briefly put the Penguins ahead. However, Pittsburgh couldn’t hold on, suffering yet another frustrating loss.
Despite Crosby’s brilliance, the Penguins are struggling this season. Through 61 games, the three-time Stanley Cup champion has racked up 19 goals and 46 assists, but Pittsburgh sits at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with a disappointing 24-29-10 record (58 points) and a brutal minus-50 goal differential the worst in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, Matthews and the Maple Leafs are in a much stronger position. With a 38-20-3 record (79 points), Toronto currently leads the Atlantic Division, despite a tough 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday.
Even in a down year for his team, Crosby continues to prove why he remains one of the most respected players in the game.
