Sidney Crosby hasn’t been dominant through two games of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ qualifying-round series against the Montreal Canadiens. He hasn’t stood out as particularly the best player in this unique NHL postseason, nor even necessarily on his own team.

But that doesn’t mean the Penguins’ captain isn’t making an impact on their chances. Timely ones, too.

Crosby has been on the ice for each of the five-on-five goals the Penguins have scored so far in this series, and he’s scored the team’s first goal in both games heading into Game 3 on Wednesday night.

“I just think Sid, he plays his best when the stakes are high,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He knows what’s at stake, he knows what’s on the line, he sees the opportunity that’s in front of us and he gets excited about it, and he elevates his game, and he’s got a long history of that.

“That’s what makes him the leader that he is, and that’s why he is so important to our hockey team. His leadership qualities, they stand alone in that regard but there is no more powerful way to lead than through example and playing the game the right way and elevating your intensity and your compete level and I think Sid personifies that and it doesn’t surprise me that he scored the first goal in both games.”

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 4, 2020

The first goal of any game – let alone playoff game – is important. During this series, particularly so. In Game 1, Crosby’s goal from below the goal line, intentionally deflected off of Montreal goalie Carey Price, stopped the proverbial bleeding as the Penguins trailed 2-0 and provided momentum for them to tie it at 2.

Then, Monday night in Game 2, with the pressure squarely on the Penguins’ shoulders as a prohibitive favorite facing an 0-2 hole and an elimination game with another loss, Crosby scored 4 minutes and 25 seconds in. It allowed the Penguins to relax and settle into their game.

The goal came on Crosby’s third shift of the game. It was the 16th time Crosby scored the first goal of a playoff game, most among active players and tied for sixth-most all-time.

“It’s huge,” defenseman Kris Letang said. “Obviously, everybody is watching Sid on our team. Even the older guys are always kind of going to follow him, so when Sid is leading your team you know you are in good hands. If it was not the case right now we would be in trouble. But when you have a guy who is ready and is hungry like he is right now I think it’s easy to follow him and be on the same page.”

Statistically, aside from the goals, Crosby has just been OK. His puck-possession (the Penguins are generating 50% of the game’s shot attempts at 5-on-5 when he’s on the ice) is sixth among the 12 Penguins’ forwards. Crosby is tied for second on the team in shots on goal (nine) and has the third-most average ice time of any of the Penguins’ forwards (21:54).

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

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