Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby broke Mario Lemieux\'s franchise scoring record with a goal and an assist in Sunday\'s 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens. Crosby now has 1,724 career points, moving past Lemieux for eighth on the NHL\'s all-time scoring list.
Crosby entered the game one point behind Lemieux. He tied the record at 7:58 of the first period by tipping Erik Karlsson\'s point shot past the goaltender.
Crosby broke the mark with 7:20 remaining in the first period. His power-play shot hit Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell tapped the rebound behind Jakub Dobes for the goal.
Crosby, Rust and Rakell embraced behind the net after the goal. The Penguins bench spilled over to congratulate their captain.
A video message from Lemieux congratulating Crosby played later in the period. The Hall of Famer praised his successor\'s accomplishments.
\"I knew when we played together in 2005, that you were going to be a very special player, and accomplish a lot of great things in your career,\" Lemieux said in a message posted on the club\'s social media accounts. \"Here we are, 20 years later, you are now one of the best to ever play the game.\"
Lemieux became Pittsburgh\'s all-time points leader on Jan. 20, 1989, when Crosby was 17 months old. Lemieux finished his career with 1,723 points in 915 games after two retirements.
Crosby has accumulated 1,724 points in 1,387 games with 645 goals and 1,079 assists. He is the seventh outright all-time points leader in 58 years of franchise history.
The No. 1 pick in 2005 previously broke Lemieux\'s assists record last December against the New York Islanders. Crosby trails Lemieux\'s franchise goal record by 45, with 645 to Lemieux\'s 690.
Crosby ranks third on the NHL\'s all-time points list with a single franchise. Only Steve Yzerman (1,755 with Detroit) and Gordie Howe (1,809 with Detroit) have more.
Crosby passed Phil Esposito for ninth-most even-strength goals in NHL history with 450. He also tied Adam Oates for eighth-most assists in NHL history during the first period.
With 20 goals this season, Crosby achieved his 18th 20-goal campaign. Only six players in NHL history have recorded more 20-goal seasons.
The victory snapped Pittsburgh\'s eight-game losing streak. Crosby participated in the shootout but did not score.
Lemieux, who owned the franchise after his playing career, was in the lineup when Crosby recorded his first NHL point. Crosby is the ninth active player to lead a franchise in points.
Via ESPN