PITTSBURGH — Sidney Crosby broke Mario Lemieux’s career scoring record with a goal and an assist in the first period of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night.
Crosby, who started the night one point behind Lemieux, now has 645 goals and 1,079 assists for 1,724 points in 1,387 games. It also moved him past Lemieux for the eighth-most points in NHL history.
Crosby tipped in Erik Karlsson’s shot at 7:58 of the first period for the record-tying goal. Crosby then broke the mark with 7:20 left in the period when his power-play shot hit Ryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell tapped in the rebound beyond Jacob Dobis.
Crosby, Rust and Rakell embraced behind the net after the goal, and the Penguins spilled onto the bench to congratulate their captain. Later in the period, a video message recorded by Lemieux congratulating Crosby on the accomplishment was played.
“I knew when we played together in 2005 that you would be a very special player, who would achieve many great things in your career,” Lemieux said in the message, which was also posted on the club’s social media accounts. “Here we are, 20 years later, and you’re now one of the best players to ever play the game.”
From 🐐 to another. pic.twitter.com/M3drq86PqV
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 22, 2025
Lemieux, a Hall of Famer who also owned the franchise after his second retirement, became the Penguins’ all-time points leader, passing then-assistant coach Rick Kehoe on Jan. 20, 1989, when Crosby was 17 months old. Lemieux, who was in the lineup when Crosby scored his first NHL point, finished his career with 1,723 points in 915 games.
“I have a great appreciation for having the opportunity to play with him, live with him and learn from him,” said Crosby, who lived with Lemieux and his family early in his career. “When you grow up watching him, you never expect you’ll make it to the NHL, let alone play with him. He was a big part of helping me and had a big influence on me.”
Crosby, the No. 1 pick in 2005, is the seventh all-time points leader in the franchise’s 58-year history and the ninth active player to lead the franchise in points. Crosby previously broke Lemieux’s record for most assists in franchise history last December against the New York Islanders. Crosby is 45 goals behind Lemieux’s franchise record of 690.
Crosby ranks third on the all-time NHL points list by one franchise, behind Steve Yzerman (1,755) and Gordie Howe (1,809), both with Detroit.
Crosby also passed Phil Esposito (449) for his single possession for the ninth-most goals in NHL history. Crosby is also tied with Adam Oates for eighth-most assists in NHL history in the first period. Crosby, who scored 20 goals this season, marked his 18th season with 20 goals. Only six players in NHL history have more.
The Penguins snapped an eight-game skid. Crosby participated in the shootout but did not score.
“Getting a chance to play on the same line and connect with some goals…those are things I’ll always remember,” Crosby said of playing with Lemieux. “The impact he has had on me, this team and hockey in general is absolutely amazing.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.