Crosby Vs. Ovechkin (Again); Go Ahead, Join The Debate

Well, it made an appearance again this week — a debate over whether Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby or Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin is the better of two overwhelmingly great players. Here’s the right answer: Thank goodness.

Please, as you recover from your turkey coma, join the debate in the Comments section at the end of this story. Please. It’s a great treat attached to a generation of hockey talent.

Now, neither Crosby (Canadian) nor Ovechkin (Russian) are American, but on this U.S. Thanksgiving let’s appreciate the debate, which has been ongoing since both were rookies in 2005-06 and Ovechkin beat out Crosby for the Calder Trophy, and give thanks that hockey fans have been able to watch and appreciate — and debate about, sometimes heatedly — their remarkable overlapping careers.

Me? I’m here for the discourse. My side of the debate is a little different. Crosby, 34, and Ovechkin, 36, both first overall picks in the NHL draft, are different types of superstars. Ovechkin is the hulking goal-scorer extraordinaire who could have a chance to catch Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal total and is off to a bonkers start this season. Crosby is easily the top all-round, 200-foot player of the past 20 years and, really, of all time despite being slowed so far this season by wrist surgery and COVID-19.

So, it’s apples and oranges. With whipped cream and a cherry on top. And the debate is, as always, delightful.

Sid vs. Ovi 22.0 is awesome, actually, because of the passion it brings out and because it is a reminder of how fortunate hockey fans have been and still are to see the overlapping careers of two different but all-time great players.

— Shelly Anderson (@_ShellyAnderson) November 24, 2021

The latest wave of the debate seemed to grow from this:

The longer Ovechkin stays Ovechkin, the stronger the case will be that it’s him who belongs on Mount Rushmore with 99, 66 and 4, and not Sid.

I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 24, 2021

You know what, I’m curious. Who would you put on the NHL’s Mount Rushmore alongside Gretzky, Lemieux and Orr?

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 24, 2021

After great (see: the last hour) deliberation:
1. Gretzky
2. Lemieux
3. Orr
4/5. Crosby/Ovechkin
6. Howe
7. Hasek
8. Jagr
9. Lidstrom
10. Bossy

Note 1: Debated Richard and Esposito for 10 too. Miss me with the Messier talk.
Note 2: McDavid is a threat to everyone below 99.

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 24, 2021

Not everyone has the stomach for the latest round of the Crosby-Ovechkin debate.

If I have to hear the Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin debate one more time … well, I don't know what I'll do. But I tell ya, it won't be pretty!

— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) November 24, 2021

Oh, there are so many categories and statistics to bring to the debate. And some carry that out to the Nth degree.

Except for:

• PPG
• Playoff PPG
• Head to head PPG
• Cups won
• Head to head playoff series won
• International success
• Golden goals
• 16 straight years 1.00 ppg or better

Not knocking Ovi. All time legend. But Sid is the best player of his era, clearly. https://t.co/8H3AU4vvRD

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) November 24, 2021

Career +/-
Crosby +180
Ovechkin +88

PPG:
Crosby 1.27
Ovechkin 1.11

Cups:
Crosby 3
Ovechkin 1

I mean, this silly. https://t.co/hps4IXbtJa

— Steelers Takeaways 🌗 (@PittsburghSport) November 24, 2021

Others take a more big-picture approach. Or bring some humor to the table.

He can have all the goals… Sid can have all the cups… 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Y4tMxWKtT6

— StoneColdSid (@StoneColdSid_) November 24, 2021

The debate isn’t which of the two are the best of all time. They don’t seem to have reached that rarefied air at this point.

Assuming Wayne Gretzy, Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe and Bobby Orr are among the top 5 hockey players of all time, who's your pick for the fifth member?

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) November 25, 2021

We are privileged to get to watch two of the top several players of all time, without question.

The Penguins and Capitals next meet Dec. 10 in Washington. We should cherish the head-to-head games between Crosby and Ovechkin, regardless of where you stand on the debate over which is the greater player.

Both players could be around several more years despite their ages. That’s worth being thankful for in any country, any language.

Do you remember this gem that dates to the 2007 All-Star Game in Dallas? (We said they were great at hockey, not acting.)

And now, go ahead, chime in with your thoughts on this renewed Crosby vs. Ovechkin debate in the Comments section.