7. Crosby loses to Capitals in career-altering Winter Classic (Jan. 1, 2011)
Everything could have changed on one fateful night at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field (now Acrisure Stadium).
In a game between the League’s two brightest stars, and two of its burgeoning franchises, in one of the marquee annual events, Crosby and Ovechkin were tasked with putting on a show in the fourth edition of the NHL Winter Classic.
The Capitals won 3-1. Though Ovechkin and Crosby each went without a point, the game remains unforgettable.
Crosby, who was having a career season with 65 points (32 goals, 33 assists) in his first 39 games, took a high hit in a collision with David Steckel. He played the next game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 5, 2011, but took another hit to the head from Victor Hedman.
At age 23, Crosby missed the rest of the season with concussion-related symptoms that would linger into the following season. There was some concern over Crosby’s long-term health. He’s since defied all expectations in a career approaching 21 seasons that doesn’t seem to be on the verge of ending.