CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — What's wrong with
That was the question heard often around the NHL in the first two months of the season when Crosby wasn't on his familiar perch atop the league's scoring race. He had nine points in his first 18 games. He was a minus-10 on Nov. 27. He didn't seem to be the same player who had dominated the game for a decade.
"It was one of those things where you couldn't put your finger on why he couldn't score points," said teammate
No one is sure why Crosby went through the worst offensive drought of his career, but everyone is absolutely sure he is back dominating like the player who has averaged 1.33 points a game in his 681-game career.
Crosby has 44 points in his past 36 games, an average of 1.22 points. By all accounts, Crosby is again playing like Crosby.
"He is playing with more confidence for sure," Hornqvist said. "We all go through that. Your confidence goes down and you feel like you can't do anything out there. Now he has some confidence, and he's going through people and trying things that others do not."
Crosby's lack of production was a discussion topic as everyone speculated on a cause. Crosby is 28, but many wondered if he were like a high-mileage automobile that was starting to show premature wear.
"I was worrying about trying to find some consistency – I wasn't really buying into any of that," Crosby told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. "You just try to focus on what you need to do to get better, and the rest of it is just words and talk."
Crosby decided to concentrate on doing everything better instead of picking his game apart.
"When things started to get a little better, I tried to focus on the little details," Crosby said.
General manager
"Any time you have a coaching change, everyone takes it personal," Crosby said. "You feel responsible. It's message that you need to be better."
Sullivan wasn't around to know what went wrong for Crosby. But he understands what is right with the Penguins captain today.
"He is at his best when he is emotionally invested," Sullivan said. "With the games I've been here, you can see it with his body language and energy on the bench – he's involved. His second and third efforts on pucks is impressive to watch. When he plays that way, he's tough to handle."
Sullivan said he has been involved in the NHL for 25 years and has never seen a player with Crosby's preparation habits.
The Penguins also traded for puck-moving defenseman
"We've tried to do things tactically to make us more efficient and generate speed, and maybe that has helped him a little bit," Sullivan said. "But I firmly believe the reason Sid is having success right now is because of Sid."
Crosby said Daley's arrival has bolstered the offensive attack. "He's been awesome," Crosby said. "The way he skates can get us out of trouble and help us in the offensive zone. It's unbelievable how he gets up and down the ice. You could tell the way we play suits him."
Daley played in Dallas last season and was dealt in the offseason to Chicago, where he never seemed to find his way.
"Having the privilege to see what Sidney Crosby does every day is pretty cool," Daley said. "I try to take advantage of being out there with him. I try to pick up on some of the things he does. He is locked in every game."
What's his strategy in playing with Crosby? "Give him the puck as quick as possible and then get out of his way," Daley joked. "No, I watch the little things he does in practice. And I know if he's down low he is going to find me. So I have worked at making sure I can get open."
Crosby has played more than 23 minutes in three of the past five games.
Sullivan said he would prefer to keep him at the 20-minute mark. "He is capable of more," Sullivan said. "We can do more in the short term, but over time I don't think it makes sense for us because obviously we wear him down. "
The Penguins occupy the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Their battle to make the playoffs may dictate Crosby's playing time more than anything.
Sullivan kept Crosby with long-time linemate
"There are nights when teams aren't going to make mistakes and you have to force them to make mistakes," Crosby said. "Those guys are some of the best guys of doing that."
Hornqvist joked that the line works because Crosby is a grinder at heart.
"We are pretty similar because even Sid likes to take the puck to the net," Hornqvist said. "When you have three players down low supporting the puck, it's hard for the defense to clear the zone. We get second and third chance. With Sid there, he can create something out of nothing."
Sullivan said he uses them together because of their familiarity. But he takes no credit for jump-starting Crosby.
"He is playing with so much determination and conviction," Sullivan said, "No matter who we put him with right he's going to find a way to be successful."
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