The worst of Sidney Crosby
It’s not so easy being the best in the world. There’s a whole other level of expectations for a player of Sidney Crosby’s calibre. Not only is he supposed to be the best player on the ice at all times, but he’s expected to carry himself with a certain level of professionalism.
For Crosby, that means robotic responses in interviews, choosing his words carefully so not to upset people. He also expected to refrain from some extracurricular stuff on the ice because he’s viewed as a capital L Leader. This is often not the case, though.
Crosby is at the center of some criticism of the Penguins performance in Game 6 versus the New York Rangers, as he engaged in some dirty tactics by sending some stick to the groin area of Dominic Moore and dropping a sneaky slew foot on Dan Girardi. The Rangers topped the Penguins 3-1. Game 7 will be most interesting.
Like they say of another one of Nova Scotia’s finest imports, Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale, those who like Sidney Crosby still like him a lot. That’s why we take the jawing at referees, assaults on testicles, occasional dirty play, and apparent lack of regular human emotions in interviews.
Whether he’s dishing it out or receiving it, the best is capable of bad, too. Here is the worst of Sidney Crosby.
Crosby punches Boris Valabik in the gonads
Former NHL defenseman Boris Valabik is 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds. He’s far beyond Crosby’s weight class. Thus the only effective method for taking down a giant like Valabik is to strike it where it hurts the most. Right in his Valabiks. Not Crosby’s finest moment.
Crosby “acts” for Sport Chek
You know, when his hockey playing career is over there’s always thespianism. Here’s Crosby flexing his acting chops for Sport Chek. On second thought, just play hockey forever, Sid.
Crosby talks about his knob
Cabbie Richards does his thing here with Crosby by getting the best player in the world to talk about the size of his knob. Oh, the innuendo!
Kovalchuk taunts Crosby after power play goal
Straight out of minor hockey, Crosby takes a bad penalty and Ilya Kovalchuk makes him pay with a power play goal and gives him the old point to the box for good measure. It’s cool, though. Crosby pointed to the KHL during their next confrontation.
Chara takes aim at Crosby’s jaw
Crosby removed a protective mask that covered his jaw for the beginning of the 2013 Eastern Conference Final versus Boston. Zdeno Chara took the first opportunity presented to him in Game 1 to let Crosby know that he cares not for the alignment of his face and took a shot at his kisser while he was in a vulnerable position.
Ryan Callahan receives a slew foot from Crosby
It’s almost like if you’re not expecting this kind of stuff from Crosby then you’re not playing against him right.
Crosby gets the disconnected Xbox controller meme treatment
If it’s fair for Alex Ovechkin, then it’s fair for Crosby. His infamous -5 night versus the Sharks was topped off with this disconnected video game controller-esque backcheck effort.
GIF via @annfrazi
Sid takes a puck to the face versus the Islanders
As if taking a biscuit to the chiclets wasn’t bad enough, Islanders pile on with a chorus of “Crosby sucks” chants. They’re right. He sucks. Totally. I’m sure this just kills Crosby on the inside.
Dominic Moore gets speared
There’s nothing quite like a worked up Crosby in the postseason. He’ll get dirty versus the Flyers, he’ll confront a giant like Chara, and he’ll take your manhood if you’re not careful.
Sid takes a puck to the face versus the Islanders redux
This one hurt. A deflected Brooks Orpik shot drills Crosby in the jaw, ending what likely would have been a Hart Trophy winning season for the Penguins captain.
The headshot
Your claims of “accident” are no good here. Steckel truthers only. This bump to Crosby’s brain at the 2011 Winter Classic robbed us of a good portion of his scoring prime.