Anderson: Why Crosby’s Latest Milestone is So Telling, So … Sid

A couple nights’ sleep and another game coming up allowed Pittsburgh Penguins megastar Sidney Crosby to more comfortably talk about his latest NHL milestone. He even got a little lighthearted Saturday after practice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, while keeping with his tradition of downplaying the magnitude of the latest achievement in his Hall of Fame career.

Crosby understandably struggled in the immediate aftermath Thursday because his goal that at time not only got the Penguins temporarily back in the game but also clinched the point-per-game record he had been closing in on, ended up coming in a disastrous 7-3 loss at Buffalo.

Crosby just doesn’t pat himself on the back. Trust us, however, when we tell you: Averaging a point per game for each of his 20 seasons to break Wayne Gretzky’s record is a defining achievement for Crosby. One that speaks to the very bedrock of his success.

That’s because it’s all about consistency. Without that, Crosby might not have won multiple Stanley Cups, multiple Olympic and other international gold medals, and multiple Art Ross and Conn Smythe trophies, among other things. He might not have eclipsed 600 goals, 1,000 assists and 1,600 points as he climbs the NHL record lists.

The Cups and golds will be at the top of the check-off list on his Hall of Fame display, but the record number of seasons averaging at least one point a game — and don’t discount that number reaching 21, 22 or more — will tell an even bigger, underlying truth about Crosby.

Another thing about the Penguins captain is his penchant for being magnanimous when it comes to achievements. It was no different Saturday.

“It’s a long time reflect on. It’s 20 years,” Crosby, 37, said. “But when you think about it – I’ve said this before – you think about all the different guys you’ve played with and have contributed to it.

“Some of the names on that (latest) list, guys like Gretzky, (Gordie) Howe, those are guys that seemed like they were from a different planet as a kid growing up. To join that company is pretty cool. And to play as long as I have, I think I’m grateful for that.

“When you reflect, I think you tend to think about the guys that contributed and everybody that’s a part of it.”

It’s true. It takes a village, especially in a team sport.

But for Crosby, it also takes an acute amount of attention to detail, a routine he is loathe to stray from, and the fortitude physically and mentally to — as as been chronicled many times by people who see him in games, practices and behind the scenes — be the hardest worker on the team.

That’s consistency, one of the most difficult things to achieve at a high level in any endeavor.

Sure, he gets chirped for the myriad superstitions he follows, many of the nit-picky variety. Some of his gear dates to his junior days, repair jobs and all. But what might seem like silly behavior dovetails with the day-to-day consistency that has led to one of the greatest careers in NHL history.

Crosby said he wasn’t sure when he first figured out that consistency was such a critical goal to chase — knowing him, it could have been before he began to shave — but he does understand the importance.

“I think that if you want to get better and you want to improve, I think you have to be consistent with your work ethic and you have to continue to learn and get better and evolve,” he said, and then he smiled. “Everyone makes fun of my old stuff or my gear, but I do evolve. I try to learn to get better. That’s part of it. That’s a challenge. It’s not easy to do it sometimes every single day, but that’s part of it.”

It might not be easy. Just think about the extra challenges that come with facing three straight years with no playoffs. But that consistency will be the figurative skate lace that ties together all his more tangible achievements when Crosby finally gets around to retiring.

And that’s why his latest milestone, consistently averaging a point a game every season regardless of team record, injuries or any other potential obstacles, is so incredibly telling.