"More motivation, more energy" - Alex Ovechkin makes his feelings known on Sidney Crosby rivalry

By Zachary Roberts

Modified Nov 08, 2024 14:52 GMT

For the last two decades, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby have created one of the most iconic rivalries in hockey. They have gone head-to-head, competed for awards, and racked up the statistics.

Ahead of their 70th matchup in Friday's Pittsburgh Penguins (5-8-2) vs. Washington Capitals (9-3-0), Ovechkin reflected on the journey with Crosby.

"It's pretty amazing how much time flies," Ovechkin said via NHL.com. "I think it's just cool stuff when my first couple years there was a rivalry like Ovechkin-Crosby and everybody was pumped about it -hthe fans, you guys (the media). It would give you more motivation, more energy when you step on the ice."

After both Crosby and Ovechkin earned weekly awards, Washington winger Tom Wilson said:

"When they had the stars of the week, I was like, 'What year is it?' They're still at the top of the League," Wilson said. "I don't think there's been anything quite like it before – the two of them, the rivalry, the divisional opponent – and I don't think there will be again," he added.

He also mentioned that it was "pretty cool for the entire hockey world to be taken on that ride" for the last two decades.

Earlier this week, Ovechkin, who recorded five goals and four assists in four games, was named the NHL's First Star of the Week. With four goals and three assists in three games, Crosby was the Third Star for the Week. It was the first time they had been stars in the same week together in 20 seasons.

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Sidney Crosby reflects on Ovi vs. Sid rivalry with Alex Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby have been rivals for two decades. They first met in the Penguins's 5-4 win on Nov. 22, 2005. Since then, the Ovi vs. Sid rivalry has seen Pittsburgh (40-25-4) have an edge over Washington (29-30-10) in 69 games.

Sidney Crosby spoke on the long-standing Ovi vs. Sid rivalry (Credits: IMAGN)

Crosby reflected on his matchups with Ovechkin via NHL:

"It's special. It's something that when you come into the League, you hope it can be something that lasts a long time. To be in the same division and for him to be doing what he's doing right now, chasing down the all-time record, it's incredible."

Ovechkin is creeping towards the all-time goals record, while Crosby, thanks to over 1,000 assists, is in the top 10 list of the all-time points scored.