The eight-game winless streak is over. Two horrid performances against the Canadiens during the winless streak occurred, one coming Saturday night. Entering Sunday night, the Penguins had not won in a shootout despite five games going to said format. The winless streak also had several remarkable third period meltdowns. All of those things were avenged come Sunday. This is going to mean big things for the Penguins. When you are a fragile team and trust me, the Penguins are more fragile than the leg lamp in “A Christmas Story” you have to find a way to exercise your demons. On Sunday night the Penguins found a way to do that. They gained a 3-2 lead in the third period, which they promptly lost. The team they were playing dominated them twice during the past two weeks and dominated overtime. The game went into a shootout, the Canadiens certainly own more shootout talent, yet Silovs and the Penguins held strong and won the damn game. I am delusional, I think this game saved the season. They needed the adversity of the past week(s) to get stronger together as group. They needed to see themselves lose a third period lead and still win the game. They needed to win a shootout. They did all of those things last night and I believe that is going to give the team a huge boost. Sid even spoke to it after the game. This was the exact type of game you wanted if you are a fan of this team. It might seem more conventional to just want them to hold onto a third period lead, but it will do their minds significantly better to know they can win despite adversity. I have thought the season was over. I didn’t think they would win again in 2025. I thought all of preseason projections about us were correct. I started watching Gavin McKenna highlights (and low lights where he scored on his own net for Canada). The Penguins win one game, and I am back to watching 2016/2017 Stanley Cup highlights. That is how messed up my brain is, this team is truly an illness for me and I love it. The Penguins are back in the win column with one game before the Christmas break, win that one and get Geno back after Christmas then you go on a tear until the Olympics.

The real story of this game is that Sidney Crosby is now the franchise leader in points. He, along with the team, was in a funk the last few games. The Penguins were shutout in back-to-back games, Sid looked out of sorts during those contests. Sunday came along and he immediately looked like the captain we have come to know in love over the last 21 years. Sid deflected a beautiful shot pass from Karlsson to tie Mario, and the game. A few minutes later, he placed his name alone at the top of the franchises scoring list. On the power-play Sid unleashed a slap shot from the circle and the ensuing rebound was banged home by Rakell. History was made. Mario Lemieux for my money will always be the greatest hockey player to ever live. Sidney Crosby will always be the pinnacle of winning and consistency. Those two are not only Mount Rushmore players in Pittsburgh history but hockey history too.

The Penguins couldn’t lose this game. On milestone as large as this one, you have to find a way to win. The hockey gods agreed as the Canadiens hit more metal in overtime than Tony Stark making his first suit in a cave with a box of scraps. As the game transitioned to the shootout and I saw Kevin Hayes hop over the boards I thought we were doomed. He shoved it right up my hoop as he beautifully navigated an against the grain wrister. Sid failed to score as Cole Caulfield evened it up. Out came Rakell, who put on an excellent backhand move to take the lead. Silovs made one final save and the game was over.

The game ends, the players funnel into the locker room to celebrate. Before the victory song blares through the speakers there was some business to handle. After milestones, game pucks are handed out. After wins, a fireman’s helmet is handed out. Geno was the last to win the helmet (yes, it’s been that long) but it couldn’t have worked out any better. The best duo in NHL history, argue with a wall if you think otherwise, were able to share a great moment as Geno was the one awarding Sid the player of the game helmet and the pucks to commemorate his place atop the Penguins scoring list. Lemieux saved this team with his play once, and his money another time. Sid and Geno helped save the franchise again but also turned it into one of hockey’s best American markets. Without the play of the two headed monster this team may well have been in Kansas City, it sure as hell would not have been worth 1.8 billion dollars. No matter how the season finishes every time you watch the Penguins play you are embroiled in hockey royalty. The Penguins have iced so many hall of famers since Mario took the ice that it is easy to take it for granted. Try to soak it in though. It won’t be like this forever. Mario won’t always be congratulating someone on passing his records. Sid won’t always be dominate. Geno may be skating in his last season. Nights like last night are meant to be taken in and held onto, these are special players providing us fans with special memories.

A game against the Maple Leafs is next on the docket, Tuesday at 4pm. The Leafs have been wilting. The Penguins have ended their winless streak. They have played 9 games in 15 days; they are likely exhausted. One last game before a much-needed break. Use up all the energy left in the tank and go into the holidays with back-to-back wins. On a near daily basis, I believe the season is saved, then I believe the season is over. Win on Tuesday and I will be firmly in the state of mind that the season is saved. A win and Devils loss would also have them back in a playoff position, go do the damn thing.

Even if they fail to win on Tuesday, we get to watch Sidney Crosby skate his first game as the Penguins all time points leader. Watching number 87 play will forever be a special privilege for us fans so just enjoy it for however long lasts.