Fantasy or Fiction: Will Sidney Crosby Win The NHL Scoring Title?

Five games into Sidney Crosby’s return from his year-long absence due to a concussion, and one thing remains certain. The Kid’s still got it. Crosby’s fantasy owners are breathing a huge sign of relief. I know I am.

Crosby has been nothing short of astounding in his first five games back with the Penguins, recording 11 points (2 G, 9 A, plus-7) and vaulting the perennial stud into the top-200 in NHL scoring.

The question remains: In spite of giving the rest of the competition a 20-game head start, could Crosby actually compete for the #1 spot and win the NHL scoring race?

Considering the pace he’s on, it’s a distinct possibility.

Crosby’s points-per-game (P/G) average so far this season is 2.20, almost a full point better than Toronto’s Phil Kessel (1.29), the NHL’s current scoring leader with 31 points in 24 games played (entering Wednesday night). If both players were to keep on their current paces and stay healthy for the rest of the year, Kessel would finish with 106 points and Crosby – get this – would end up winning the scoring title with a staggering 136 points in only 62 games played. He’d ultimately blow away the competition by 30 points. He’d actually pass Kessel in the point standings on January 22nd, one game PRIOR to the All-Star break.

Ok, slow down for a second. You’re probably saying right now, “hey, there’s no way in hell that Crosby keeps up his current (2.20 P/G) pace for the rest of the season.” And I would tend to agree with that logic. Current hot streak aside, Crosby’s best ever P/G average over an entire campaign was 1.61 P/G, which ironically came just a season ago prior to him getting sidelined after 41 games with his head injury.

So, let’s say, for argument’s sake, that a healthy Crosby, who’s hands down the best player in the league right now, reverts back to his mere mortal 1.61 P/G over the course of Pittsburgh’s final 57 regular season games. The end result? Crosby finishes with 108 points, Kessel 106.

Ladies and gentlemen, the race is on.

Do you think Crosby can keep up his torrid scoring pace and win the Art Ross Trophy this season? How many points do you realistically think he’ll finish with?