Pittsburgh Penguins second-year center Sidney Crosby is getting drawn into the game within the game that is reserved for the NHLs best.
Crosby, who leads the league with 65 points, is matched against opponents top skill players every game either directly, in line matchups, or in the form of anticipation and expectation.
For two Penguins games in the last week, that meant top players such as Crosby and teammate Evgeni Malkin squaring off against Tampa Bays Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards. Wednesday night, it was against Floridas leading scorer, Olli Jokinen, who had a hat trick in the Panthers 5-2 win in Sunrise, Fla.
Its not all about money with some of the top players, Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella said. Its about who is better than who. They may be buddies off the ice, but, when that games being played, especially the skill guys, I dont think they want to be outdone by anybody.
I think with Mario (Lemieux), when we were playing against him, and with (Jaromir) Jagr and players like that, yeah. I think eventually its going to happen with Crosby and Malkin.
Crosby, who has a connection with the Lightnings Richard through his junior team of Rimouski, is starting to get caught up some in the skill-on-skill matchups within games.
Maybe a bit, he said. Its fun when you play against guys you grew up watching. Obviously, you want to win, but its exciting. I know Brad a little bit. Its not a fierce competition or anything like that, but, at the same time, its fun. You want to see great plays and skill in the game. Thats what people get when they see us play.
Florida coach Jacques Martin said it extends beyond the players. He expects his best players to outdo the other teams stars.
Your best players ought to be your best players every night, Martin said. When youre playing a team like Pittsburgh, youre looking for players like Jokinen to outplay players like Crosby and Malkin.
I think its an extra motivation.
Tortorella thinks its more than a little.
Ive always said, your best players are going to win or lose hockey games, he said. I just dont think they want to be outdone.
Shelly Anderson writes for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Crosby tests himself against oppositions best
