Sidney Crosby from the Pittsburgh Penguins was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the 2019 NHL All Star Game in San Jose, California after he scored two goals and added three assists to lead the Metropolitan Division to a victory over the Central Division 10-5.
Crosby, a seven-time All Star, finished with four goals and four assists in two games of action for the Metropolitan Division.
The former number one pick overall, Crosby won three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He joined an elite club of players who won the Conn Smythe Trophy, the Hart Trophy and MVP of the All-Star Game. That exclusive list includes Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Joe Sakic, Jean Beliveau, and Mario Lemieux.
“It’s cool,” said Crosby. “You play, and you watch as a kid growing up, and you see that presentation, so it’s pretty cool. I had a lot of fun today.”
Crosby won the regular season MVP five times, but this marked his first All-Star MVP. He won the Hart Trophy twice and the Conn Smythe two times as well.
3 vs. 3
The NHL All Star Game altered their format a couple of years ago. The result is an exciting 3-on-3 contest with the world’s best skaters and goalies on display.
The four divisions square off in a tournament with the winner meeting in the finals. The winning team plays for pride and a $1 million pursue, which adds an extra layer of competitiveness for the All Stars. In turn, it creates an exciting product for fans.
“There’s more pace, obviously, when it’s the final and there’s a million dollars on the line,” said Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche. “A lot of guys were going a little bit harder, but it’s good for the fans.”
In the semi-finals of the 2019 All Star Game, the Metro Division defeated the Atlantic 7-4. Crosby scored twice. The Central Division crushed the Pacific Division 10-4 to meet Metro in the finals.
Hank and Sid
The combination of stellar goaltending with clutch scoring sealed the deal for the Metro in the finals 10-5. New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist pitched a shutout in the first half. He couldn’t prevent them from scoring in the second half, but he gave his team enough breathing room to clinch the victory.
“It was good defense, good structure,” said Lundqvist. “That helps, especially 3-on-3. Honestly, I thought we had pretty good structure, so much skill up front, so many goals. You don’t get surprised; you get impressed.”
Crosby scored the first goal fifteen seconds into the game. The Metro jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Crosby also scored the last goal of the period to put the Metros up 5-0.
Triple Legends
Any time you get yourself on the same list as Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr, then you’re doing something right.
NHL TRIPLE THREATS
Sidney Crosby
Mario Lemieux
Bobby Orr
Wayne Gretzky
Jean Beliveau
Joe Sakic
Crosby became only the sixth player in NHL history to win three coveted individual awards Conn Smythe Trophy, Hart Trophy and All-Star MVP. Fellow member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mario Lemieux won all three.
According to the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas, the Penguins are 10-1 odds to win the Stanley Cup.
