"Personally, I don't like it": When Sidney Crosby didn't mince words about rival Alex Ovechkin's showmanship

Right from the start of their rivalry, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin signified what it was like to have two contrasting personalities battling for supremacy. Crosby was regarded as calm and composed, while Ovechkin was much more flamboyant and provocative.

While both future Hall of Famers have matured over the years, there were instances both butted heads with each other. Back in 2009, in a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals, the pair almost dropped their mitts and got into a fight.

In a late February game with the playoffs in sight, Ovechkin seemingly pushed the Penguins forward as he was skating to the bench toward the end of the second period. That angered Crosby, who shoved his opponent over the Capitals bench. That led to the Russian retaliating by grabbing Crosby's neck. Linesman Greg Devorski stepped in to thwart the confrontation.

After the game, Sidney Crosby said he didn't like the tactics Ovechkin used.

"Like it or lump it, that's what he does," Crosby said. "Some people like it, some people don't. Personally, I don't like it."

Ovechkin had similar words to describe Crosby.

"What I can say about him?" Ovechkin said. "He is a good player, but he talks too much."

The Capitals had taken control of the rivalry at the time. They were the better team that season, and the Pens, the losing finalists of the 2008-09 season, had a change in coaching and were on track to miss the playoffs.

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Sidney Crosby rooting for Alex Ovechkin to break Wayne Gretzky's record

As is the case with many sporting rivalries, the Crosby-Ovechkin feud lasted only for a few years. Both players now root for each other.

Crosby said before the their first regular season meeting in 2024-25 that he was willing his competitor to break the NHL's all-time goal-scoring record.

"It's special," Crosby told NHL.com. "It's something that when you come into the League, you hope it can be something that lasts a long time. To be in the same division and for him to be doing what he's doing right now, chasing down the all-time record, it's incredible."

At the time, Ovechkin had 861 goals, 34 shy of Gretzky's record. Since then, he has added 18 to his tally. He will look to finish the job this season, as the Capitals are the in-form team, leading the Metropolitan division.