MacKinnon and Crosby Meet as Penguins Face Avalanche
The two NHL stars face off for the 21st time in their careers during Wednesday's action at Ball Arena.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Hockey
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Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 16. The matchup marks the 21st career meeting between the two veteran stars.
Why it matters
The game highlights a long-standing rivalry between two of the league's most prominent centers. MacKinnon enters the contest with an 11-6-3 career record against Crosby, while Crosby holds a 9-10-1 record versus MacKinnon.
MacKinnon and Crosby are playing their 21st head-to-head game. MacKinnon holds an 11-6-3 record in these matchups against Crosby, who currently has a 9-10-1 record against his counterpart.
The players
Nathan MacKinnon
He is a star center for the Colorado Avalanche who currently holds an 11-6-3 record in head-to-head matchups against Sidney Crosby.
Sidney Crosby
He is the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins and an elite NHL forward with a career record of 9-10-1 when facing Nathan MacKinnon.
Jeremy Swayman
He is a professional goaltender for the Boston Bruins who has accumulated 137 career NHL victories.
Mikael Granlund
The 34-year-old forward became the first player in Anaheim Ducks history to record a point streak through the first six games of a season.
David Pastrnak
He is a standout forward for the Boston Bruins who needs one goal to surpass Brad Marchand for fourth place on the team's all-time goals list.
The details
The game takes place at Ball Arena. Elsewhere, the Anaheim Ducks host the Boston Bruins at Honda Center, where the Bruins look to extend their three-game winning streak.
Timeline
October 16, 2026, marks the night the Avalanche host the Penguins and the Ducks host the Bruins.
Season Trajectory
This game continues the historical head-to-head rivalry between Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. The outcome will influence the early-season positioning for both teams as they navigate the NHL schedule.
Boston Bruins fans should watch David Pastrnak, who is one goal away from moving into fourth place in franchise history for goals scored. Additionally, Jeremy Swayman remains a key player to monitor as he builds on his 137 career wins.
The takeaway
Fans of the sport can witness a significant milestone in the career-long rivalry between two of the game's greatest players. The results of these early-season matchups often establish the momentum that carries teams through the winter months.
Further reading
For more on the league's latest updates, visit the Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NHL.
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