Wayne Gretzky has warned against writing off Sidney Crosby as the Pittsburgh Penguins fight to stay alive in their playoff series. The NHL legend believes Pittsburgh still carries enough firepower to complete a historic comeback.
Speaking during the series, Wayne Gretzky pointed to Crosby’s leadership and the presence of Evgeni Malkin as major factors. He stressed that even after falling behind 3-0, Pittsburgh remained a threat.
“You never count Crosby out, right? And even at 3-0, if there was one team that had the ability to come back, my goodness, they got so much firepower with him and Malkin,” Gretzky said. “They made a goaltending change, and it seems to have perked the team.”
The Penguins have already shown resilience by forcing a Game 6 against the Philadelphia Flyers. After dropping the first three games, they responded with back-to-back wins, including a 3-2 result in Game 5.
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Crosby has led from the front throughout the postseason. The veteran captain has recorded five points in five games, continuing his consistent playoff production. His influence extends beyond numbers, as he drives belief inside the locker room.
Gretzky explained that comebacks start with small steps. Teams must focus on winning one game at a time before momentum shifts. He noted that a Game 4 victory can change the mindset quickly and apply pressure on the leading side.
“It’s really difficult, especially when you get down 3-0, and the fourth game is on the road,” Gretzky said. “That’s tough. It takes leadership and experience to understand, … you got to have that confidence to win one game… [after] game five, and all the momentum switches to us, and all the pressure sort of goes to the Flyers.”
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The Penguins ended their regular season strongly, finishing with 98 points and returning to the playoffs after a three-year gap. Crosby led the team with 74 points, while the core group continues to play a key role.
Gretzky also praised Philadelphia’s approach, calling them one of the toughest teams to face. He highlighted their physical play, energy, and reliable goaltending as major strengths.
“Philly’s playing with a lot of guts and energy,” Gretzky said. “I talked to one of the coaches in the last 10 games of the season, and they played Philly, and he said it’s one of the hardest teams they had to play against. They just play the right way, you know. They finish checks. They play with energy. I really like their goaltender…And so, gosh, this is such a big game for a young team like Philly. It’s going to be exciting to watch.”
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Still, the focus remains on Crosby and Pittsburgh’s belief.
“Obviously, Sid’s been one of the greatest captains ever in his time in Pittsburgh,” Gretzky said. “And boy, this has been really good hockey. It’s fast, it’s physical, there’s a lot of skill. It’s been enjoyable to watch. It’s great for hockey.”
Now, with Game 6 set in Philadelphia, the Penguins aim to extend the series once more.