Crosby Ties Dionne for Sixth on NHL Points List

Sidney Crosby reached 1,771 career points as the Pittsburgh Penguins fell 5-4 to the Montreal Canadiens.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Hockey

Crosby Ties Dionne for Sixth on NHL Points List

Sidney Crosby scored with 3:11 remaining in the third period to draw the Pittsburgh Penguins within 5-4, but the Montreal Canadiens held on for the win. The goal gave Crosby 1,771 NHL points, tying Marcel Dionne for sixth on the league's all-time points list.

Why it matters

The milestone places Crosby alongside one of the game's longtime scoring leaders while Pittsburgh sits sixth in the Metropolitan Division with 12 points. The loss adds to the pressure on a team that has struggled to convert chances into goals.

Pittsburgh has scored 31 goals at 5-on-5 against 35.9 expected goals for, while allowing 35 goals against 31.8 expected. The Penguins have 46 goals this season and sit 3 points behind fifth-place New York.

The players

Sidney Crosby

Captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of the most decorated players of his generation, now tied for sixth on the NHL's all-time points list.

Marcel Dionne

Hall of Fame center whose career point total is now matched by Crosby, placing him among the league's all-time scoring leaders.

Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL franchise based in Pittsburgh that has won multiple Stanley Cup championships and is currently competing in the Metropolitan Division.

Montreal Canadiens

Original Six franchise based in Montreal that defeated Pittsburgh 5-4 in this matchup.

The details

Crosby's goal came with 3:11 left in regulation, but Pittsburgh could not complete the comeback after allowing five goals in the game. The Penguins now face the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 3 and the Boston Bruins on Nov. 5.

Crosby's NHL career began in the 2005-06 season.
The Penguins lost to Montreal on Nov. 1.
Pittsburgh plays Vegas on Nov. 3.
Pittsburgh plays Boston on Nov. 5.

Season Trajectory

Crosby's tie with Dionne places him among the league's historic scorers at age 39. Pittsburgh's place in the Metropolitan Division standings will shape whether the milestone coincides with a playoff push.

Fantasy managers tracking Crosby can note his continued scoring as Pittsburgh enters a stretch against Vegas and Boston. The Penguins' 5-on-5 shortfall suggests possible changes to line deployment or shot quality in those games.

The takeaway

Crosby's 1,771 points show sustained production across nearly two decades, but Pittsburgh's scoring gap at 5-on-5 suggests the team's results may lag its underlying play.

What happens next

The Penguins play the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 3 and the Boston Bruins on Nov. 5, with Crosby expected to approach further career milestones in the upcoming games.