Pens's Crosby sings praises of Lightning duo
By Rob Rossi
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, February 25, 2007

TAMPA - Sidney Crosby was 16 when Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St.
Louis helped the Lightning lift the Stanley Cup in 2004.

At 19, Crosby is trying to protect his NHL scoring lead with
Lecavalier and St. Louis as his chief competition for the Art Ross
Trophy. Lecavalier and St. Louis, each with 83 points, trail only
Crosby, who has amassed 96, in the scoring race.

"Those are two guys I grew up watching -- they're fun," Crosby said.
"They have a sense of creativity when they do things. But the thing
about each of those guys that I really respect is that they put in the
second effort, never give up on a play. A lot of times when you see
guys score goals or set up goals, it's because they don't give up on a
play."

Crosby, too, seemingly never gives up on a play. Likewise, he is not
giving up on the possibility that his Penguins could make like the
Lightning and win a championship with a core of mostly young players.

"It's kind of a unique situation that we're in, to have as many young
guys that we do," Crosby said. "But it's encouraging for us to see
that Tampa was successful. It's funny, because it's not like Tampa is
that old. Those guys are still pretty young. They have a lot of long
playoff runs in them."

Tampa and the Penguins are both on pace to reach the playoffs this
season. And though the Penguins have recorded the league's highest
point total since the All-Star break, chances are it would not mind
avoiding the Lightning in the playoffs.

The Penguins have dropped each of their three games with Tampa this
season and have won just once here since the 1999-2000 season.