Sens try to find their way against Crosby: ‘He’ll twist you and he’s just gone’
OTTAWA — Guy Boucher was there to witness Sidney Crosby’s greatness in person before the future Penguins captain began terrorizing the NHL.
The now-Ottawa Senators head coach was an assistant for the QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic when a 17-year-old Crosby drummed up 168 points in 66 games — 52 more than the next closest player.
“People thought they had him and he’ll twist (around) you and he’s just gone,” Boucher recalled of the season which preceded Crosby’s rookie campaign with Pittsburgh.
The Senators may have thought they had held Crosby in check early in the Eastern Conference final, but the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner broke out in Game 4. Crosby had a goal and an assist in the Penguins’ 3-2 victory that evened the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.