Sidney Crosby has long been praised as one of the greatest players in NHL history—but one of his most underrated skills is his absolute dominance in the faceoff circle.
Since entering the NHL in 2005, Crosby has evolved from a pure scorer into a complete two-way center. In recent seasons, he’s consistently been among the league’s top 10 in faceoff win percentage, often hovering above 55%. In high-pressure playoff games, he’s known to win key draws in both ends of the ice, giving his team control when it matters most.
In the 2021 season, for instance, Crosby won 56.8% of his faceoffs—an elite number that often went unnoticed amid his point totals.
Faceoffs might seem like a small part of the game, but puck possession wins championships—and Crosby’s mastery in this department is part of what has made him a three-time Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist.
