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Only three games into the young 2007—08 NHL regular season, the highly anticipated scoring race between the Pittsburgh Penguins’ baby-faced superstar Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals depth defenseman John Erskine is already underway. It was expected that Crosby, the 5-foot-11, 193 lbs. franchise center drafted No. 1 overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and Erskine, the 6-foot-4, 215 lbs. enforcer drafted 39th overall in the 1998 draft, would be hot on each other’s heels all season. But Erskine—-known more for his hard checks and pugilistic abilities—-is already tearing up the score sheets. According to TSN.ca, through three games, Erskine—-who is coming off a career best 2006—07 season (1-6-7)—-has already picked up one goal and one assist for a whopping two points, which not only eclipses his NHL point totals for the entire 2000—01 (0-1-1), 2003—04 (0-1-1), and 2005—06 (1-0-1) seasons, but puts him on pace for an impressive 27-goal, 27-assist, 55-point season with a plus/minus rating of +82. Whoo-hoo! Way to go, John Erskine. NHL All-Star game, look out!
Poor “Secondary Sid,” (who earned his nickname after detractors noticed his penchant for being crediting with “phantom” secondary assists on goals he either wasn’t involved with or not even on the ice for), has only managed to pick up a lowly two assists so far—-half of which, you guessed it, were secondary assists. Do the math, and it looks like Crosby is headed toward a career-worst 0-goal, 55-assist season with a plus/minus rating of -55. Ouch. What’s wrong, Sid?
