One item we’ve been tracking all season long has been the precipitous fall in Sidney Crosby’s even strength stats. It’s one element of the game that is important and one Crosby has crushed over the years. Well, before this season anyways. The Penguins only score 2.25 goals this year with Crosby on the ice at 5-on-5. Last season it was 3.35. In 2015-16 even with some Mike Johnston funk on him it was still 3.12. Crosby’s 5v5 decline this year is a major reason Pittsburgh has struggled.
And when you think struggling you may also think of Kris Letang.