Sidney Crosby's message to the Montreal Canadiens is making waves around the NHL

Before Saturday's game against the Canadiens, he told TVA Sports reporter Renaud Lavoie:

The comment carries extra meaning right now. Crosby is 39, and his contract expires next July, which means every trip to Montreal may feel a little heavier than usual.

The crowd seemed to sense it, rising together to greet him before the anthem began.

Crosby backed up his words on the ice. He scored once and added two assists, giving him three points and pulling him level with Marcel Dionne for sixth on the NHL's all-time scoring list at 1,771.

Dionne finished with 73 more goals, while Crosby holds 73 more assists, a neat split between two very different careers. The milestone also keeps him in elite company on a list few players will ever approach.

Still, the night belonged to Montreal. Josh Anderson scored twice, including the game-winner, and added an assist, while Jacob Fowler stopped 25 of 29 shots.

Lane Hutson picked up two assists and played close to 24 minutes. The result stretched the Canadiens' winning streak to five games and moved them to 9-3-2, good for fifth in the league.

Pittsburgh has little to celebrate. The Penguins are 5-7-2, sit 25th overall, and have won just once in eight road games.

Crosby's production has not been the problem, but the standings raise real questions about his future as free agency approaches.

A struggling team could soon face a major decision on how to build around its captain.

For Canadiens fans, the moment was a reminder of the respect that still flows both ways between Crosby and Montreal. The Habs host Winnipeg on Tuesday, while the Penguins return home to face Vegas.

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