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Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin: Top moments as the rivals meet for the 100th time

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For the 100th and potentially final time in their careers — including the playoffs — Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will go head-to-head on Saturday before facing off again on Sunday. With Ovechkin on the final year of his contract and undecided about his future, the second half of the home-and-home may also be the final time fans get to witness one of the greatest individual rivalries hockey has ever seen.

In 2005-06, the NHL was coming out of a lockout year and desperately needed something to make the league relevant on the national stage again. As luck would have it, Crosby and Ovechkin would both take the ice for their rookie seasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, respectively, sparking an epic rivalry that has now spanned two decades.

The two young superstars immediately delivered on the hype, combining for 91 goals and 208 points in that 2005-06 campaign. Ovechkin beat out Crosby for the Calder Trophy, but Crosby would score his fair share of blows in the 20 years that followed.

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2026 NHL playoff picture: Bracket, standings, seedings as Stanley Cup Playoff race nears the end
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Throughout the years, the two living legends have rewritten the history books, racked up awards, met in the playoffs four times and combined to win the Stanley Cup four times. It’s been an incredible run for two players who have strong arguments to be among the top 10 players of all-time.

Ovechkin is now the undisputed goal-scoring king, and Crosby has been a playmaking wizard in all three zones throughout his career. They’ve taken different paths to reach their respective places in hockey history, but longevity is a trait they share in common, and it has allowed Crosby and Ovechkin to land among the greatest to take the ice in every statistical category.

Goals

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654 (15th)

928 (1st)

Assists

1,107 (8th)

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756 (49th)

Points

1,761 (7th)

1,684 (10th)

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Playoff goals

71 (T-17th)

77 (12th)

Playoff assists

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130 (5th)

70 (T-75th)

Playoff points

201 (T-5th)

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147 (T-35th)

Hart Trophy

2

3

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Rocket Richard Trophy

2

9

Art Ross Trophy

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2

1

Conn Smythe Trophy

2

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1

Stanley Cup 3 1

In their previous 99 head-to-head matchups, Crosby has the edge in wins (56-43), assists (79-50) and points (127-103). However, as is only appropriate, Ovechkin has Crosby beaten in goals, 53-48.

As Crosby and Ovechkin get set to do battle for the 100th (and possibly final) time, let’s not dwell on the idea that this great rivalry may be coming to an end — or how old that makes us feel. Instead, let’s look back at the best moments from the two greatest players of their generation.

Top Ovechkin vs. Crosby moments

5. All-Star weekend team-up

After 18 years of being pitted against one another, Crosby and Ovechkin teamed up for a more heartfelt moment at the 2023 All-Star Skills Competition. The rivals took the ice together and helped Ovechkin’s son, Sergei, beat Roberto Luongo on a breakaway.

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Rivalries can’t be all hatred all the time, right? There have to be moments of respect and admiration for one another’s accomplishments. That’s happened more often in recent years, including Crosby and Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin gifting Ovechkin a Rolex for breaking Wayne Gretzky’s goal record. The moment above just really signaled the thawing of their relationship in the latter years of their careers.

4. Ovi vs. Crosby: Episode 1

On Nov. 22, 2005, Crosby and Ovechkin met on the ice for the very first time, and they didn’t disappoint. Crosby’s Penguins won the game 5-4, and he was the more productive player, but both of them put on a show. Crosby scored a gorgeous goal when he split the Capitals’ defense and roofed a backhand shot that created a bottle pop you no longer see in today’s game. Crosby also added a stylish spin-o-rama assist from one knee.

Ovechkin tallied a nice assist on a goal by Matt Pettinger, but he could’ve had a much bigger game. Ovechkin walked Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney with a brilliant move, but the post and goaltender Sebastien Caron combined to keep the puck out of the net.

3. Crosby strikes first in the playoffs

The first of many playoff battles between Crosby and Ovechkin occurred in 2009, and as always, it was a long series. In Game 7, Crosby simply took over. He opened the scoring midway through the first period, and he led Pittsburgh to an emphatic 6-2 victory with two goals and one assist. Crosby would go on to capture his first of three Stanley Cup rings that year.

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Ovechkin did score for the Capitals, but it was an overall disappointing performance that foreshadowed what this rivalry would look like in the postseason for many years.

2. Ovechkin, Capitals finally break through

In 2018, Ovechkin and the Capitals had lost three consecutive playoff series to Crosby and the Penguins, including back-to-back defeats in 2016 and 2017. What made the two most recent defeats especially painful was that Pittsburgh had gone on to win the Cup in each of the previous two postseasons.

So, when Game 6 of the second-round series rolled around in 2018, everyone knew the Penguins would force a Game 7 and break the Capitals’ hearts. Except, for once, the story ended differently. Game 6 was a tight checking game, and the teams went to overtime tied at 1-1. Crosby had assisted on the Penguins’ lone goal, and Ovechkin hadn’t gotten on the scoresheet yet.

Then, in overtime, Ovechkin sprung teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov on a breakaway for the game-winning goal. Washington slayed the dragon and went on to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

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1. Dueling hat tricks

Hands down, the most memorable moment in this rivalry came in Game 2 of that 2009 playoff series. Crosby and Ovechkin traded the first three goals of the game, with Crosby giving the Penguins a 2-1 lead in the second period. Ovechkin responded with two goals in the third period, including the eventual game-winner. 

Ovechkin’s hat-trick goal was a missile at the top of the circles that plunged the Verizon Center into chaos.

Crosby notched his hat trick as he pulled Pittsburgh within one with 30 seconds left, but he couldn’t find a fourth to tie the game. He just had to settle for an eventual series win and Stanley Cup — not a bad consolation prize.

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Laborda scores goal in 82nd minute for Whitecaps in tie with Galaxy

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CARSON, Calif. — Mathias Laborda scored in the 82nd minute for the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night in a 1-1 tie with the LA Galaxy.

The Whitecaps (8-1-1), who were only the second MLS team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to win eight of their first nine games to begin a season, had their club regular-season record four-game win streak snapped.

Sebastian Berhalter played a free kick from the left side to the back post and Laborda headed home the finish from point-blank range to cap the scoring.

The Whitecaps had 58% possession and outshot LA 19-7, 5-2 on target.

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Joseph Paintsil opened the scoring in the 46th minute. Lucas Sanabria, in the opening seconds of the second half, stole a misplayed ball from Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka and fed Paintsil for a finish from the right side of the area.

JT Marcinkowski had four saves for the Galaxy (3-4-4).

Takaoka finished with one save.

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MLB roundup: Cards win sixth straight, extend Dodgers’ skid to 4

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MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis CardinalsMay 2, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11), St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nathan Church (27) and St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) celebrate after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

Jordan Walker slugged a two-run homer among his two hits and Michael McGreevy tossed six scoreless innings as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Saturday for their sixth straight victory.

McGreevy (2-2) allowed three hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Right-hander Ryne Stanek and lefty JoJo Romero each pitched a scoreless inning before the Dodgers scored two runs on four straight hits against righty Riley O’Brien in the ninth.

O’Brien recorded two quick outs before giving up back-to-back infield singles to Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernandez. Max Muncy and Andy Pages followed with RBI singles before O’Brien struck out pinch hitter Dalton Rushing for his ninth save.

Los Angeles lost its fourth straight game and has scored three or fewer runs in seven of its last 11 games. Starter Rori Sasaki (1-3) gave up three runs on five hits with two walks over six innings. He retired the final 10 batters he faced and threw a career-high 104 pitches.

Pirates 17, Reds 7

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Pittsburgh became the third team in major league history to draw seven straight walks and scored five runs in the second inning without a hit to rout visiting Cincinnati for the second day in a row.

Konnor Griffin doubled, tripled and went 4-for-5 while Ryan O’Hearn drove in three runs for the Pirates, who racked up 19 hits. They also drew 11 walks, including seven in a row in the second to become the first team since the 1994 New York Yankees to score five runs in an inning without a hit.

Pittsburgh starter Carmen Mlodzinski (2-2) benefited from the onslaught as he struck out a career-high 10 batters during his 5 2/3-inning stint. Will Benson and JJ Bleday hit home runs and Nathaniel Lowe drove in three runs for the Reds. Starter Rhett Lowder (3-2) lasted just 1 1/3 innings as he surrendered eight runs, five hits and four walks.

Braves 9, Rockies 1

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Chris Sale tossed seven stellar innings and Drake Baldwin homered and drove in four runs to help visiting Atlanta run away with a win over Colorado.

Sale (6-1) allowed one run on three hits, striking out a season-high 11 for the Braves, who remain the only MLB team to have not lost a series and have a league-best 24-10 record. Austin Riley and Matt Olson also homered for Atlanta.

Jordan Beck’s third-inning double knocked home the only run for the Rockies. Brennan Bernardino (2-1) served as the opener for the Rockies, allowing two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. Chase Dollander then allowed six runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Yankees 9, Orioles 4

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Cody Bellinger went 4-for-4, cracked two solo homers, drove in four runs and stole a base to pace New York past visiting Baltimore.

Trent Grisham added two hits, including a two-run homer, as the AL East-leading Yankees posted 11 hits on the way to their 12th win in 14 games. Starter Ryan Weathers (2-2) allowed three runs (one earned) in five-plus innings.

Pete Alonso delivered his third homer in five games to lead the Orioles, who lost for the 11th time in 17 games. Kyle Bradish (1-4) surrendered five runs and six hits over four innings.

White Sox 5, Padres 0

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Sean Burke tossed six scoreless innings and visiting Chicago stretched its winning streak to five with a blanking of San Diego.

Burke (2-2) allowed only four hits and a walk while fanning eight, including Xander Bogaerts three times. Seranthony Dominguez got the last two outs for his eighth save in 10 chances, as Chicago wrapped up its first series win over San Diego since 2022.

Michael King (3-2) yielded seven hits and four runs over six-plus innings. King walked three and struck out five as the Padres dropped their fourth straight game.

Blue Jays 11, Twins 4

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Brandon Valenzuela’s three-run homer capped an eight-run eighth inning and visiting Toronto defeated Minnesota.

The first eight batters scored in the eighth as Toronto took a 2-1 lead in the four-game series. Lenyn Sosa, Myles Straw and Kazuma Okamoto hit solo homers to account for Toronto’s scoring before the eighth.

Byron Buxton homered to right on a fastball to lead off the Minnesota first against Dylan Cease (2-1). It was Buxton’s 10th homer of the season — all in the past 17 games — and the first Cease has allowed.

Cubs 2, Diamondbacks 0

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Ian Happ recorded three out of his team’s five hits, including a 399-foot homer, as Chicago beat Arizona for its 10th straight home victory.

Shoto Imanaga (3-2) pitched seven scoreless frames, giving up only four hits and one walk. He is now 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks, giving up two runs and nine hits with 19 strikeouts in 21 innings.

Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson gave up one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Ildemaro Vargas went 0-for-4, breaking his league-leading 27-game hitting streak.

Guardians 14, Athletics 6

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Austin Hedges smacked two doubles and a homer as Cleveland produced 14 hits to win for the second day in a row in West Sacramento, Calif.

David Fry and Kyle Manzardo also homered for the Guardians while Angel Martinez posted three hits. Jose Ramirez poked a two-run double and registered his 300th career stolen base. Starter Slade Cecconi (1-4) gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Shea Langeliers stroked his ninth and 10th homers of the year for the Athletics. Nick Kurtz went 2-for-5, but did not walk to snap his 20-game streak that tied Barry Bonds (2002-03) for the second-longest stretch in major league history. Starter Jacob Lopez (2-2) allowed six runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.

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Brewers 4, Nationals 1

Kyle Harrison pitched six solid innings and Milwaukee beat host Washington.

Brandon Lockridge had two hits including a two-run single. Harrison (3-1) gave up a run on seven hits. He struck out five and walked one while lowering his ERA to 2.12. Abner Uribe pitched the ninth for his third save.

James Wood had two hits and Curtis Mead doubled and scored for the Nationals, who fell to 3-12 at home. Foster Griffin (3-1) pitched six innings, allowing three unearned runs on three hits.

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Rays 4, Giants 1

Jonathan Aranda went 2-for-4 with two RBIs as Tampa Bay clinched its first 2026 series win against a National League club, prevailing over San Francisco in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Rays had lost a single three-game series against all five NL Central teams in March and April before claiming the first two games against the Giants. Jesse Scholtens (3-1) followed the opener and allowed one run on four hits in three innings.

San Francisco’s Luis Arraez went 3-for-4 with a double and a run, accounting for nearly half of the team’s seven hits. Landen Roupp (5-2) surrendered four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings in the Giants’ fifth straight loss.

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Astros 6, Red Sox 3

Brice Matthews and Christian Walker homered in back-to-back innings and combined for five RBIs to lead visiting Houston to a win over Boston.

Matthews’ three-run shot in the fourth helped the Astros build a 5-0 lead they would not relinquish. Spencer Arrighetti (4-0) nabbed the victory, striking out four while working around five walks across five innings of one-run ball.

Wilyer Abreu went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Red Sox, who left 10 on base.

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Marlins 4, Phillies 0

Max Meyer only allowed one hit in seven shutout innings and Xavier Edwards homered in host Miami’s win over Philadelphia.

Meyer (2-0) faced one over the minimum number of batters with a walk and seven strikeouts in the longest start of his career. Anthony Bender and Andrew Nardi each retired the side in order in the combined one-hitter. Otto Lopez and Edwards each had two hits with a run and an RBI.

Garrett Stubbs got the lone hit for the Phillies, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Philadelphia right-hander Andrew Painter (1-3) gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings with three walks and seven strikeouts.

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Tigers 5, Rangers 1

Dillon Dingler had a three-run home run to spark Detroit to a home win against Texas.

Keider Montero (2-2) gave up one run on five hits and Gleyber Torres had two hits and an RBI for the Tigers before leaving with left side tightness. Riley Greene went 2-for-4 with a run and Wenceel Perez was 2-for-3 with a run and a walk.

Jake Burger homered for the Rangers’ lone run. Texas right-hander Kumar Rocker (1-3) gave up five runs on six hits in two innings.

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Royals 3, Mariners 2 (10 innings)

Maikel Garcia’s sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as Kansas City rallied to defeat host Seattle.

Automatic runner Michael Massey stole third base in the top of the 10th and scored an out later as Garcia flew out to center field off Cooper Criswell (1-1). Matt Strahm (1-0) got the victory and Lucas Erceg retired the side in order in the 10th to earn his ninth save of the season. Garcia also hit an RBI double.

Seattle starter Emerson Hancock didn’t get a decision despite striking out a career-high 14 on the night the Mariners retired former ace Randy Johnson’s jersey No. 51. Hancock went seven innings and allowed one run on six hits. Josh Naylor hit an RBI single for the game’s first run.

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Angels 4, Mets 3 (10 innings)

Oswald Peraza hit an RBI single with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning as Los Angeles ended a seven-game losing streak with a win over New York in Anaheim, Calif.

Pereza, who finished with three hits, lined an 0-2 curveball from Mets reliever Austin Warren (0-1) into the gap in left-center to easily drive in automatic runner Adam Frazier from third base. Jo Adell went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI and Vaughn Grissom drove in two for the Angels, who won for just the second time in 13 games. Ryan Zeferjahn (2-1) threw two innings of hitless relief.

Austin Slater doubled among his two hits and scored and Mark Vientos doubled and scored for New York, which lost for the 18th time in its last 22 games. Rookie starter Nolan McLean left after four innings after allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six on 78 pitches.

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–Field Level Media

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Henry Arundell: Bath wing on his roundabout route to Champions Cup semi-final

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The match will be Bath’s first Champions Cup semi-final in 20 years. Arundell too has taken a longer-than-expected route to this point.

As a rugby-mad schoolboy at Beechen Cliff in Bath, the club were the obvious career choice.

Arundell’s team-mates Miles Reid (four years above), Tom de Glanville (three years above), Ethan Staddon (a year above) and Vilikesa ‘Billy’ Sela (two years below) were all tied to Bath’s academy from the state school’s rugby programme.

But, aged 14, Henry’s talents, and his father’s career, took him elsewhere. His father Ralph got a job with Harrow School in north-west London. Henry got a scholarship.

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In London Irish’s catchment area, he made his Exiles debut in November 2021, shortly after his 19th birthday. Several scorching scores followed, most notably a jaw-dropping 98m virtuoso run against Toulon,, external before he was named in England’s squad to tour Australia.

However, London Irish went into administration in June 2023 and Arundell opted for a move to French club Racing 92.

It didn’t turn out as he had hoped.

Injury and iffy performances checked his progress. Former England coach Stuart Lancaster, who had brought Arundell to the club, was sacked in February 2025 amid some miserable results.

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“There were moments where your form is not great or you have injuries – and that can have an effect,” he says.

“You find the most growth in adversity and there were definitely things I gained – a lot of skill stuff and understanding from working with [All Black legend] Joe Rokocoko as a back-three coach and attack stuff from [former France fly-half] Freddie Michalak.

“You learn a lot from the players around you, the likes of Siya Kolisi, Gael Fickou, Josua Tuisova. You’re playing with huge names.

“When Owen [Farrell] came for my second year that was someone English that I could chat to and really learn from.

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“At the end of the day though, I was a 20-year-old kid out in France living on my own and sometimes you do need family around you.

“I’m seeing my family every week now, rather than every few months. Having that support system is very special and I probably didn’t appreciate that enough when I was a bit younger.”

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Alex Zanardi, CART champion and Paralympic gold medalist, dies at 59

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The auto racing world is mourning the loss of Alex Zanardi. The Italian Formula 1 driver, who later became a Paralympic champion after two life-altering accidents, has died, his family announced Saturday. He was 59.

The family confirmed that loved ones were with Zanardi when he died. “Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him,” the family said in a statement. A cause of death was not provided.

Zanardi’s family also said that it “Thanks everyone who is sharing their support right now and asks for respect during this time of mourning.”

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Zanardi suffered serious injuries in a 2020 handbike accident, colliding with an oncoming truck during a relay event in Italy. He sustained facial and cranial trauma and was placed in a medically induced coma.

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Alessandro Zanardi celebrating with gold medal at Paralympics

Alessandro Zanardi of Italy celebrates holding his gold medal after winning the men’s road cycle individual time trial H4 category at the 2012 Paralympics at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit near London on Sept. 5, 2012. (Alastair Grant/AP)

Nearly two decades earlier, Zanardi lost both of his legs in an auto racing crash.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Zanardi in a post on X, saying in part, “Italy loses a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every challenge of life into a lesson in courage, strength, and dignity. Alex Zanardi knew how to bounce back every time, facing even the toughest challenges with determination, clarity, and a strength of spirit that was truly exceptional.”

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Zanardi won back-to-back championships in CART in 1997 and 1998 in the U.S. He then briefly returned to F1.

He ultimately came back stateside, racing in Germany in a CART event in 2001 when both of his legs were severed in a horrific accident the weekend after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. CART raced only because the series was already in Germany at the time of the attacks and could not return to the U.S.

FIGURE SKATER MAXIM NAUMOV MAKES US OLYMPIC TEAM ONE YEAR AFTER LOSING BOTH PARENTS IN TRAGIC DC PLANE CRASH.

Zanardi was left in a three-day coma following the 2001 crash.

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During his recovery, Zanardi designed his own prosthetics and learned to walk again. He then turned his attention to hand cycling and developed into one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes in the world.

He won four gold medals and two silvers at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, competed in the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record.

Alex Zanardi at Daytona International Speedway

Driver Alex Zanardi (24) of BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE, looks on before the Rolex 24 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Jan. 26, 2019. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

Zanardi used specially adapted cars with hand controls for gas and braking to take up racing again after the 2001 accident.

Stefano Domenicali, the president and CEO of F1, said he was “deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend,” calling Zanardi “truly an inspirational person, as a human and as an athlete.”

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“He faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, yet he continued to look forward, always with a smile and a stubborn determination that inspired us all,” Domenicali added. “While his loss is profoundly felt, his legacy remains strong.”

Alex Zanardi crossing the finish line at IRONMAN 70.3 Emilia Romagna

Alex Zanardi of Italy crosses the finish line at the IRONMAN 70.3 Emilia Romagna in Cervia, Italy, on Sept. 22, 2019. (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

After Zanardi’s 2020 crash, Pope Francis praised him as a symbol of strength in adversity and sent a handwritten letter offering encouragement and prayers.

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Before Saturday’s F1 sprint race in Miami Gardens, Florida, a moment of silence honored Zanardi. The Italian Olympic Committee also called for a minute of silence at sporting events across Italy.

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Zanardi is survived by his wife, Daniela, and son, Niccolò.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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ONE SAMURAI 1: “I might buy him a nice bike”

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ONE atomweight MMA contender Itsuki Hirata of Japan plans to share her blessings in the aftermath of ONE SAMURAI 1.

‘Android 18’ submitted Ritu ‘The Indian Tigress’ Phogat of India in style with a rear-naked choke in the third round at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on April 29.

Her breakthrough win was rewarded handsomely, as she also took home a well-earned bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

In her post event-interview with ONE Championship, Hirata said she’d use the money to good use by treating her parents with something nice.

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“I want to use it for my family and the people around me. First, I want to show my gratitude to my parents. My dad rides a motorcycle, so I might buy him a nice bike. It’s also Mother’s Day soon, so I want to give my mom a thank-you gift.”

The win was a hard-earned one for Hirata, who came in losing four of her last five bouts.

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Phogat pressed forward throughout, forcing Hirata to work through adversity before she eventually secured the finish at 2:42 of Round 3.

Hirata moves to 8-5 with the victory, and seeks to use this momentum to make a run for 26 pounds of gold in the women’s 115-pound ranks.


Itsuki Hirata not satisfied after breakthrough victory at ONE SAMURAI 1

Itsuki Hirata knows there’s more work to be done after returning to the winning column.

The Japanese fan-favorite remained critical of her performance against Ritu Phogat and vowed to get better.

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‘Android 18’ told ONE:

“Even though I got the finish, it’s difficult to execute everything we practiced once the actual fight starts. I was gunning for the neck in the first round but couldn’t finish it. I practiced that so much, even in the locker room, but I think the sweat and positioning made me rush, and it didn’t sink in.”

The replay of ONE SAMURAI 1 is available on demand for those who purchased the pay-per-view at live.onefc.com.