If there has been one thorn in the side of Sidney Crosby, besides Alexander Ovechkin or Zdeno Chara, it has been the injury bug. Crosby has had sprained ankles, a broken jaw from a puck to the face, and of course concussion problems. These injuries have caused him to miss many games during his young career. It has caused him to lose many Hart and scoring titles that he was almost sure to win. His New Year’s resolution should be to try to stay healthy and play as many games as he can this season. This is the best thing that could happen to him and the Penguins.
It is unbelievable to think that Crosby has only won one scoring title in his career. The guy is clearly the best offensive player in the game, regardless of what Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, or any supporters of others will say. This links back to the injury thing. If Sid can stay healthy then his New Year’s resolution of winning a second scoring title should be easily obtained. The only player that I feel can challenge him is teammate Evgeni Malkin, and he currently has some injury problems this season.
This is one title that was taken away from him last season. Crosby was clearly the best player in the game last year. When he went down with a broken jaw against the New York Islanders, Crosby had a huge lead in the scoring title race and was running away with the Hart Trophy. However, many of the hockey writers had the “what have you done for me lately” syndrome come upon them and “gave” this title to Ovechkin last season. Again, if Sid can stay healthy it will be the rest of the league looking back at Crosby in the Hart Trophy voting this season. If you don’t believe me for this season, take a look at the Penguins’ injury problems and then tell me that he is not the most valuable player to his team. Yeah, that is what the MVP means, not “most valuable player for two weeks!”
This is a sore spot to many supporters of USA hockey. In the gold-medal game in 2010, Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning goal against Ryan Miller to give Canada the gold in men’s ice hockey. 2014 is another Olympic year. Crosby will be the centerpiece of a Team Canada that is looking to repeat in Russia. Crosby is a Canadian, and this is what they grew up wanting to do: bring home Stanley Cups and gold medals for their country. Crosby sure will be thinking of this when the ball drops to welcome in 2014.
Crosby has reached the top of the mountain in the NHL, and boy is it good! In 2009, the Penguins raised the Stanley Cup against the Detroit Red Wings. Last season, the Penguins were four games away from getting a chance to win The Cup once more. This season, the Penguins have been defying a ton of odds due to the injuries on their team and the tight schedule of the Olympics. If the Penguins can overcome all of their injuries then look for “Sir Sidney” to hopefully come through on this New Year’s resolution for himself and the fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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By: Tony Tranghese
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