NHL
Sidney Crosby Passes Joe Thornton for Seventh on NHL Assists List
Crosby’s assist on Bryan Rust’s first-period goal against Colorado moved him to 1,110 career assists, one ahead of Thornton.
Sidney Crosby passed Joe Thornton for sole possession of seventh place on the NHL’s all-time assists list Friday, collecting the 1,110th assist of his career against the Colorado Avalanche.
Crosby was credited with an assist on Bryan Rust’s goal at 8:57 of the first period at Ball Arena in Denver, according to the NHL’s official scoring summary. It was Crosby’s first assist of the game.
The Pittsburgh captain entered the game tied with Thornton at 1,109. Paul Coffey is the next player above him, with 1,135, according to the Penguins’ pregame notes.
The milestone follows Crosby’s two-goal performance in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to Chicago. He entered Friday with four points in Pittsburgh’s first seven games, while the Penguins had a 3-3-1 record.
Pittsburgh confirmed Arturs Silovs as its starting goalie before the game. Friday was Crosby’s first meeting of the season with Nathan MacKinnon, who entered with 12 points in seven appearances for the 4-2-1 Avalanche.
