The next season, Sidney Crosby one-upped his counterpart, winning the Art Ross Trophy(NHL points leader), Hart Trophy (MVP as voted by the writers), and Lester B. Pearson Award (MVP as voted by the players). He also took his team to the playoffs, where they were beaten by the Ottawa Senators in 5 games (Crosby had 3 goals and 2 assists in the series).
Never to be outdone, the following season (07-08) Ovechkin raised the bar one notch higher, winning the Art Ross Trophy, the Hart Trophy, the Lester B. Pearson Award, and the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, awarded to the player who leads the league in goals at the end of the season. Ovechkin scored 65 goals, breaking the record for goals in a season by a left winger (previously held by Luc Robitaille, with 63). He also led his team to a division title and recorded 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) in the first-round series with the Philadelphia Flyers (the Caps lost in 7 games).
That same season, Crosby missed most of the season with a high ankle sprain but returned to lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in 6 games.
Tonight, they renew their rivalry in Pittsburgh in what is sure to be another great game. What's special about the Ovechkin - Crosby rivalry is that it isn't just about the two players. The Penguins and the Capitals have had a rivalry for a number of years and the Ovechkin vs. Crosby storyline only adds fuel to the fire.
The only question remaining is, who will up the ante this year? Will Ovechkin lead his team to a deep playoff run, or will Crosby repeat last season's postseason success?
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