Both symbolically, as one of the most important figures in Pittsburgh Penguins franchise history, and statistically, as arguably the most gifted all-around player of his generation, Sidney Crosby walks on the same ground as Mario Lemieux.
With his 600th career goal Saturday against Utah Hockey Club at PPG Paints Arena, Crosby joined Lemieux in another regard as only the second Penguins player and 21st in NHL history to reach the milestone.
Crosby scored goal No. 600 on a 5-on-3 power-play with 16 minutes, 49 seconds remaining in the second period against Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka.
On the year, Crosby has eight goals and 13 assists in 23 games.
On Oct. 16, Crosby reached 1,600 career points while tallying an assist on longtime teammate Evgeni Malkin's 500th career goal.
Crosby reached 500 goals on Feb. 15, 2022.
He cranks 10th in NHL history with 1,617 points, two spots behind Lemieux (1,723) all-time.