The drive that fuels Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is burning as bright as ever, even as his team struggles.

Thursday was the 73rd matchup between longstanding rivals Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. And health permitting, it won’t be the last time they face each other.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin put on a show ... feed from Crosby that gave Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 18 shots for the Penguins. Ovechkin's 44th goal ...

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin put on a show ... feed from Crosby that gave Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 18 shots for the Penguins. Ovechkin’s 44th ...

PITTSBURGH — Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin put on a show ... backhand feed from Crosby that gave Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 18 shots for the Penguins.

And yet there is Sidney Crosby ... the championship — Crosby continued to press on. Crosby entered Pittsburgh's season finale against Washington and longtime foil Alex Ovechkin with 31 points ...