Linked Forever

On October 5th, 2005, 2 rookies were expected to carry the NHL’s next generation. In a rare situation, 2 1st overall picks made their debut on the same night. Alex Ovechkin, the 1st overall pick in the 2004 draft and Sidney Crosby, the 1st overall pick in 2005, right after a lockout that cancelled an entire season. All these years later, it is safe to say they exceeded those lofty expectations. This is game #100 between the pair and their legacies are linked forever beyond just being #1 picks. Crosby and Ovechkin became the best players of their generation. They’re both top 10 all time in points and have captained their respective teams to Stanley Cups. Fittingly, each time these rivals have faced each other in the playoffs, the winner has gone on to win the Stanley Cup. Crosby and the Pens beat Ovi and the Caps in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Ovi and the Caps beat them in 2018. In the regular season: Crosby has the advantage, this loss makes their head-to-head record 43-28-4 against Ovi. It’s the NHL’s equivalent of Magic and Bird or Messi and Ronaldo. The greatest player rivalry the sport has ever seen.