When Sidney Crosby entered the NHL as an 18-year-old in 2005, veteran Joe Thornton started a season that featured a major turning point in his career. More than 12 years later, they're still going strong.
Two of the league's hottest players face off for the first time this season when Thornton and the San Jose Sharks welcome Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins to SAP Center on Saturday night.
San Jose (24-14-6), which is looking for its fourth win in five games, is coming off a 5-3 loss to the surging Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night.