Sidney Crosby confirms the rivalry with Alex Ovechkin is ‘still there’

The rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin reached a rare milestone on Sunday, April 12. The two captains faced each other for the 100th time, marking one of the NHL’s most special head-to-head battles.

Fans at Capital One Arena witnessed a moment that reflected both history and respect. The game opened with a planned faceoff between the two stars. Teammates moved early to ensure Crosby and Ovechkin lined up directly against each other.

The crowd responded with loud cheers, showing how the rivalry has grown beyond team loyalties.

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Crosby later reflected on the changing nature of their competition. He admitted the edge may not be as intense as before, but the rivalry remains strong.

“I think it’s still there, maybe not to the extent that it was, but hopefully people have been entertained,” Crosby said. “I think as competitors, as athletes, it’s pretty cool to be able to be a part of some big games and that rivalry.

“But yeah, that’s something that obviously a lot of people have watched and cheered for, whether you cheered for or against or whatever it was, it was something that has been special over that time period and something I appreciate, and hopefully everybody appreciates.”

The evolution is clear when looking back. Early years brought heated exchanges and physical play between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. Over time, those battles turned into mutual admiration. Today, both players recognize the role they played in elevating the sport.

Sidney Crosby talked about Ovechkin being the NHL’s top goal scorer

Ovechkin now stands as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer with over 900 goals, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record of 894 goals. Meanwhile, Crosby is 7th in career points and has 21 seasons with a point per game pace.

Speaking about Ovechkin’s impact, Crosby praised how he met huge expectations and exceeded them with consistency. He called it an honor to compete against him for so many years.

“I mean, he’s had a huge impact on it, on and off the ice,” Crosby said. “He came in with such high expectations, and I think he matched them, if not more.

“I mean, how do you live up to those kind of expectations? But to be the greatest goal scorer of all time and to do what he’s done, his consistency has been pretty impressive. I’m definitely honored that I’ve had the opportunity to play with him all these years.”

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Their rivalry also shaped championship paths. They met several times in the playoffs and have gone on to lift the Stanley Cup. Crosby led Pittsburgh to titles in 2009, 2016, and 2017, while Ovechkin guided Washington to glory in 2018.

Sunday’s game, a 3-0 win for Washington, may have been their final meeting in a regular-season setting, as there are rumors about Ovechkin’s retirement. If that proves true, it closes a chapter that has defined an era of hockey.