Twenty years ago today, the Penguins made one of their biggest draft picks in franchise history when Sidney Crosby was selected first overall in the 2005 NHL Draft.
The Penguins’ fate was changed forever when they won the draft lottery eight days earlier, ensuring that they’d be picking Crosby first overall in what was dubbed the Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes.
When the day came, the Penguins drafted Crosby with the first pick at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa.
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It’s safe to say Crosby lived up to the hype, scoring 102 points in his rookie campaign, leading the Penguins back to the playoffs in his second season and back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances in his third and fourth seasons.