During Sunday's TSN broadcast between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators, announcer Gord Miller pointed out that Sidney Crosby, who ranks 10th all-time in assists, has set up a player's first NHL goal on 14 occasions. 

The Penguins captain ranks second all-time behind Wayne Gretzky, who had assists on 18 first-career goals during his 20 seasons in the league. Although the NHL doesn't officially recognize this record, Crosby is just four helpers away from tying the Great One.

'When He Speaks, Everyone Listens': How Sidney Crosby's Mentorship Has Passed On To Multiple Generations Of TeammatesFollowing the team's regular practice on Dec. 16, Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby took some extra time out of his day to do something pretty much everyone around him is accustomed to witnessing on a day-to-day basis.

Considering the influx of talent in the Penguins system, including recent call-ups Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen, Crosby may have plenty of opportunities to set up one of the young guns for their first NHL goal. 

If that moment occurs, that player or players will join a list that includes the following players:

- Noah Welch (Mar. 26, 2006)

- Kris Letang (Oct. 12, 2006)

- Chris Thorburn (Nov. 6, 2006)

- Alain Nasreddine (Dec. 16, 2006)

- Alex Goligoski (Oct. 5, 2008)

- Deryk Engelland (Nov. 12, 2010)

- Robert Bortuzzo (Feb. 2, 2013)

- Beau Bennett (Feb. 24, 2013)

- Olli Määttä (Oct. 19, 2013)

- Jayson Megna (Oct. 28, 2013)

- Conor Sheary (Dec. 18, 2015)

- Dominik Simon (Jan. 14, 2018)

- Zach Aston-Reese (Feb. 13, 2018)

- Mark Friedman (Mar. 4, 2021)

Given his history, Crosby tends to set up first career goals in bunches. It's been over four years since he registered his last assist on a first goal, which means the captain is due.

Will we see one before the end of this season, or can he collect a couple during the 2025-26 season? 

Even though the league would not officially recognize his achievement, it would still be a fun fact on his already Hall of Fame-worthy resume. 

It’s been a busy week.

With the playoffs right around the corner, every team in the NHL is feeling the pressure.

The Detroit Red Wings sit outside the second Wild Card position in the Eastern conference, currently occupied by the Montreal Canadiens. Even if they don’t admit it, they feel pressure to secure their first playoff berth since the 2015-16 season.

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Teams that have already secured a playoff position are fighting tooth and nail to get a more advantageous placement before the playoffs begin. Home ice advantage can be a huge difference maker, so winning as many regular season games beforehand is imperative.

Last weekend, the Red Wings were embarrassed by the Vegas Golden Knights, to the tune of a 6-3 loss. After the loss was official, they made a late night (early Sunday morning) move in sending down defender Brogan Rafferty to the AHL.

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Trey Augustine had himself a night that weekend as well. The Red Wings goalie prospect was a significant contributor to Michigan State securing another Big Ten Title.

The Grand Rapids Griffins secured an extra body to help them with their playoff run. The organization brought over prospect Emmitt Finnie, who finished his season with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.

But then, the organization got some bad news. In the opening minutes of their contest against the Utah Hockey Club, goaltender Petr Mrazek was injured. He has not returned to game action since then.

The game against Utah was significant for another reason. Austin Watson scored his first goal with the Red Wings in their victory. 

Injury was added to injury shortly after. Goalie Cam Talbot was unavailable to the Red Wings against the Colorado Avalanche due to injury, so they emergency recalled Sebastian Cossa from the Griffins to fulfill backup goaltender duties. 

After losses to the Avalanche and Ottawa Senators, Cossa was returned to the Rapids due to a healthy Talbot.

The Red Wings closed out the month of March with a 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. Despite the Bruins not being in playoff position, it was still significant for the Red Wings’ playoff hopes to win this game.

The Red Wings play again on Tuesday, April 1st, against the red-hot St. Louis Blues.

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