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A slow start had NHL's poster boy Sidney Crosby in a swirl of rumours. There were talks that he lost his touch, that he'd fallen from grace and that he was no longer the best player in the league. Crosby may not have shut critics up but he definitely has them muzzled for the time being. Sid started the season with only nine points (2G, 7A) in 18 games, but since the New Year, no one has scored more goals than Sidney. Crosby has pocketed11 goals since the start of 2016. The next closest player to that mark is Sam Bennett with eight goals.

There is no doubt that Crosby has been in the spot light since his addition to the league. Being debatably the biggest super star in hockey he's often over criticized and leaned on heavily to provide both leadership and offense for the Pittsburgh Penguins. His low point totals through the first half of the season were his lowest since he came into the NHL. In his first nine games this season he didn't have a point in eight of them. He had three points at that time which all came in a game in late October against the Florida Panthers. The last time Crosby went through a drought like the one early this season was in 2009 when he failed to collect a point seven times in a 10 game stretch.

Coach's Challange

"He's got to be a little more selfish" said Rick Tochett, the Penguins assistant coach. "The one game when he had three points, he had nine shots. He's got to attack the net more. I think he's looking to pass the puck. He's got to attack the net more. For me, you can't play a perimeter game in the NHL." That was the diagnoses Tochett provided early in the season.

With a new coach in Mike Sullivan replacing Mike Johnston at the helm, the new system seems to be meshing in the steel city. They weren't allowed to be creative or fluid in their attack. The free flowing forwards were more structured and militant. This could be a big reason for Crosby's resurgence and just what the team needed. Sid needs the creative freedom to produce and create scoring chances for him and his line mates. The last time a Pens' coach was fired in season was in 2009 when Michel Therrien was canned less than a month after Crosby went through the previously mentioned drought. Dan Bylsma then came in, opened up the ice for his stars and went on to win the Stanley Cup.

On The Right Track

On Monday night versus the Ottawa Senators, Crosby had four points. He collected his first hat trick since 2013 and had 10 shot attempts, eight of them hitting the net. Crosby now has 14 points (8G, 6A) during his current eight game point streak. This isn't a complete flick of the switch though. He has been slowly producing at a better  rate and building up his point totals as of late. In his last 30 games he has piled up 36 points (18G, 18A).

Not only did Crosby have a big points night against the Senators, his line as a unit had a great night. They controlled the play going 21 for, 2 against in shot attempts. That's an impressive 91.3% SAT (Shot Attempts). This latest run has Sid's stat line looking a lot better. In the 48 games this season, he's pulled his point totals up to 45. If he stays on his pace from the past 30 games for the final 33 games he'll end up with around 85 points. Not his usual point production but he's closer to old form than he has been all season.

Kevin Hoffman, USA TODAY Sports

Under-lying Factors

Kris Letang is kind of overshadowed in Pittsburgh by all the news surrounding their elite level forwards but he's on a bit of a tear himself. He had a goal as well as an assist in the game against Ottawa. He now has collected 21 points in his last 14 games giving him 35 points in 39 games. With Marc-Andre Fleury playing well and the offense now picking up the pace, a push back from the Penguins could have some Eastern Conference teams sweating as the playoffs near.