Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was the first overall pick in the 2005 Entry Draft. With 1,682 points, he's the second-highest scoring first-overall pick in NHL history, trailing his former teammate Mario Lemieux, who ended his Hall of Fame career with 1,723.
There have been 61 first-overall picks ahead of the 2025 Draft, and Crosby has played against 37, and he's shared the ice with 38 overall when you include Lemieux, his teammate in 2005-06. This accounts for 62.2% of all top picks, which speaks to his longevity in the NHL.
After debuting in 2005, Crosby has skated against every first-overall pick from the 1987 Draft (Pierre Turgeon) to the 2024 Draft (Macklin Celebrini). Moreover, he was linemates with Lemieux, the top pick in 1984.
Crosby has collected 744 points in games against former first-overall picks, equaling 44.2% of his career totals. His opponents in those games have only 515, a difference of 229 points when top picks go head-to-head.
Meanwhile, Crosby has skated against Alexis Lafreniere (2020), John Tavares (2009), Steven Stamkos (2008), Alex Ovechkin (2004), Rick Nash (2002), Chris Phillips (1996), and Roman Hamrlik (1992) in the playoffs.
Even though he's faced Ovechkin and Philips multiple times in the postseason, Crosby has only played one former first-overall pick in the Stanley Cup Final, Joe Thornton (1997), in 2016.
As the Penguins begin a home-and-home series with Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks, here's a look at Crosby's performances head-to-head against former NHL picks.
These statistics were obtained from Stathead by Hockey Reference and are sorted by games played, goals, assists, and points. Rankings are by the smallest to largest point differences.
Players Who've Outscored Crosby
Crosby vs. Alexandre Daigle (1993)
Crosby: 1GP 0-0-0
Daigle: 1GP 2-0-2
Crosby vs. Mats Sundin (1989)
Crosby: 12GP 6-13-19
Sundin: 12GP 6-15-21
Crosby vs. Nico Hischier (2017)
Crosby: 22GP 9-9-18
Hischier: 22GP 9-14-23
Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule: Remaining Games & Statistical NotesThe Pittsburgh Penguins are winding down their 2024-25 season and on pace to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season, a first in Sidney Crosby's 20-year career. However, there is plenty to play for in the final weeks of ... 
