Move over Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are the best Pittsburgh sports duo ever

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin made history jointly and separately in the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-5 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night, October 16, 2024.

Crosby earned his 1,600 career point while Malkin netted his 500th career goal. It did not happen on the same goal so concerns about splitting the legendary puck were unwarranted.

Crosby and Malkin are arguably the greatest Pittsburgh sports duo of all time, and this city has had some legends play togethger so that is lofty praise.

What makes Crosby and Malkin so great?

Longevity and success make this duo legendary. The two have played together since the 2006-2007 season. They won three Stanley Cups together. Crosby and Malkin both have scored over 500 goals during their tenure, a statistic practically unheard of.

With success has coming a long-standing friendship and respect for each other. Both have applauded each other's success and shared the limelight without conflict.

What about Steelers legends Bradshaw and Swann?

This is where the Pittsburgh sports fans suffer from an embarrassment of riches. Those Steelers teams of the 1970s and early 1980s also can be argued to have legendary duos.

Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw had a successful partnership with wide receiver Lynn Swann for nine seasons, resulting in four Super Bowl championships.

Bradshaw also had wid receiver John Stallworth on those teams who could arguably be in the discussion of best Pittsburgh sports duos also.

Longevity is tough in the NHL. Teenagers like Malkin and Crosby once were can achieve early success and then crash and burn due to injuries or other issues. Malkin and Crosby have defied the odds, remained on the same team, and are not done rewriting the history books.