JustSON the Numbers: Penguins Dynamic Duo

When penguin and dynamic duo are mentioned together most people (Casey included) would think of Batman. In this case I'm referring to the tandem of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins. These two have played together since the 2006-07 season and have been in opposing teams nightmares ever since.

Crosby has played one more season in the NHL than Malkin, having entered the league in the 2005-06 season. They have combined to play 532 games, score 247 goals, and dish out 454 assists for a total of 701 points in the regular season for their careers. They haven't slowed down in the playoffs either. There first season together in 2006-07 netted a short lived playoff run as they were knocked out in the first round by the eventual Stanley Cup runners-up, Ottawa Senators, 4 games to 1. In that series Crosby & Malkin combined for 3 goals and 6 assists.

The 2007-08 playoffs saw Crosby & Malkin make a huge jump from their first taste of the postseason as they led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Final. There they were beaten by the Detroit Red Wings (hockey's version of the New York Yankees) 4 games to 2. The two combined to net 16 goals and 33 assists in 20 games.

This seasons playoffs have the Penguins on a collision course with the Red Wings to meet again in the Stanley Cup Finals. Both teams lead their Conference Finals series 2 games to none. So far in 15 games of this postseason Crosby & Malkin have combined for 23 goals and 26 assists.

Compare that with last year when the duo averaged 2.45 points per game, and this year they are averaging about 3.26 points per game.

Both have gotten a hat trick (scoring 3 goals in one game) in this seasons playoffs already, which is not an easy task. Crosby actually got his in the Penguins semi-final series against the Washington Capitals in the same game that his rival Alexander Ovechkin netted a hat trick.

If the Penguins can manage to finish off the Carolina Hurricanes then defeat the Western Conference champion, Crosby & Malkin will have another shot to add a 3rd Stanley Cup to the franchises collection. It would be the teams first Stanley Cup since they won back to back Cups in 1991 and 1992 when they were led by current part owner Mario Lemieux as well as Jaromir Jagr.

If anyone has any requests for this column let us know. I don't discriminate, no matter the sport or the stat.