With the Pittsburgh Penguins not bringing much to the table in their most recent games, a strong statement is being made to injured captain Sidney Crosby and his importance to the team, thus making him the leading candidate to win the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player to his team.
Since his entrance into the league, Crosby was the shining light of the organization. The player that would lead the dying Penguins organization to the Promise Land, similar to how Mario Lemieux resurrected the franchise two separate times as a part of the organization, once as a player and another as an owner.
A look back at his five and a half seasons in the NHL, and Crosby has consistently done what was asked of him. He has become an example to the hockey world, demonstrating how hard work and a constant desire of improvement can bring all of the success in the world.
This season is no different as Crosby, despite sustaining a mild concussion sidelining him for the last three games, has elevated his game once again and has become a major factor in the Pens' success. His lack of presence on the ice, subsequently, has dealt a harsh blow to the team's overall performance.
Following an impressive 12-game winning streak, the Pens have begun to stumble in the wins department, even against "beatable" teams.
A major reason behind this recent occurrence is the Pens' inability to close out games in the third period. Once dubbed the "comeback kids", the Pens now see themselves ahead of teams by a handful goals halfway through the third, only to watch that scoring gap disappear.
The names "choke artists" are now being pegged to the Pens.
To be clear, a lack of Crosby isn't the sole reason the Pens are having some issues currently. A complete defensive breakdown in the third period during last night's game against the Boston Bruins doesn't fall on the shoulders of one player.
This is a team effort.
However, it would be foolish to think the team's problems have nothing to do with his absence.
Crosby has not only been the backbone of the offense, but of the entire team as well. With each passing season, his defensive abilities have improved as well as his faceoff numbers, making Crosby a threat in all three zones.
Of course, his bread and butter has been the offensive zone.
Crosby strung together an impressive 25-game scoring streak before the New York Islanders managed to bottle up his game. This streak was the 11th longest scoring streak in NHL history and the longest since Mats Sundin put up a 30-game scoring streak in the 1992-1993 season.
Lemieux, in a press conference at the Winter Classic, equated Crosby's streak with his own play that dominated the hockey world once upon a time.
"It's much tougher to dominate the way the League is set up," he said. "What he's doing now is much more impressive than what I did years ago."
What's even more impressive is that Crosby hasn't had much help from the rest of his team.
During Crosby's scoring streak, especially during the team's 12-game winning streak, he became a rare force that saw him put the entire Penguins team on his back with some help from the steadily improving Marc-Andre Fleury.
Without Crosby, there is no possible way this Pens team is near playoff contention. Some may argue that the Pens need Crosby too much.
It certainly explains why the Pens have had problems generating consistent offense since his injury. It also gives credit to the idea that Crosby is the leading Hart candidate.
Everyone knows of Crosby's skill, and the same goes for the other Hart candidates such as Steven Stamkos, Henrik Zetterberg, and Daniel or Henrik Sedin or Ryan Kesler. However, what puts Crosby ahead of the pack is the fact that he doesn't have the help these other players do.
Stamkos has Martin St. Louis, and the two are separated by five points. The Sedin twins are tied in points, and Kesler is their teammate. Zetterberg has Pavel Datsyuk, who is 10 points behind him.
Sure, many may say that Crosby has Malkin, but Malkin hasn't been playing anywhere to his potential. When he has come close to doing something, he has an inability to play in that form consistently.
emates Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis have been playing some of the best hockey of their careers, but even then, their numbers aren't quite indicative of top-line wing talent. Kunitz has 13 goals and 28 points and Dupuis has eight goals and 18 points.
It should be no surprise that Crosby sits at the top of the Pens with 32 goals and 66 points. However, the player with the second-most points is defenseman Kris Letang, who has seven goals and 37 points. Malkin is third with 15 goals and 35 points.
It's a significant gap and one that needs to lessen if certain players want to get back on the right track.
At this point in the season, there are many players who have emerged ahead of the pack, but none have made the impact Crosby has made when he has been in and out of the Pens lineup.
His ability to carry the Pens while putting up record numbers is all the proof necessary.
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