Birthday, a winning game, and skating in the rink with the Sidney Crosby? Talk about a dream night on the ice! Just hours ago, Crosby reminded everyone why he’s still that guy, firing a one-timer just 1:16 into overtime—delivered on a silver platter by Erik Karlsson—to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a thrilling 1-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators. With that snipe, Crosby stretched his point streak to 10 straight games (eight goals, seven assists), proving once again that time has nothing on him. Meanwhile, Tristan Jarry was a brick wall, turning away 31 shots to secure his first shutout of the season and the 20th of his NHL career.
The Penguins came in, desperate to snap a three-game skid, sitting six points behind the wild-card spot, while the Senators had momentum on their side. But it was a night of near misses and heart-stopping saves. Jarry stood tall, denying Nick Jensen’s prime scoring chance, while Claude Giroux and Shane Pinto both watched golden opportunities slip away—one off a shoulder, another off the post. Even Rickard Rakell nearly made magic happen, but the hockey gods had other plans, sending his shot clanking off the iron. And now? The buzz isn’t just about the must-win moment—the Pittsburgh Penguins’ rising rookie just made headlines, putting Sid the Kid above his own family in a hilariously honest birthday confession.
Penguins reporter Matt Vensel had X buzzing on March 30th when he dropped an absolute gem of a quote from Rutger McGroarty. The young forward, fresh off playing an NHL game and skating alongside the legend himself, Sidney Crosby, on his 21st birthday, couldn’t help but get a little sentimental—but with a hilariously honest twist.
“I love my parents and my sister and my girlfriend. But no present they’ve ever got me could live up to that.” And honestly? Can you blame him? Forget cake, candles, or even a shiny new gift—nothing beats sharing the ice with a generational superstar on your big day. Now that’s a birthday memory that’s gonna be impossible to top!
Rutger McGroarty on playing an NHL game and skating on the top line with Sidney Crosby on his 21st birthday:
“I love my parents and my sister and my girlfriend. But no present they’ve ever got me could live up to that.”
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) March 31, 2025
Rutger McGroarty, born on March 30, 2004, was originally drafted 14th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2022, but fate had other plans. Before even lacing up for Winnipeg, reports swirled that he wasn’t keen on signing with them, leading the team to explore trade options. And then, boom—on August 22, 2024, he was shipped off to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Brayden Yager.
That move sealed the deal for him, as he wasted no time signing a three-year entry-level contract and making his NHL debut on October 9, 2024. Under the bright lights, he clocked in 12:20 on the ice with a shot on goal, stepping into the league like he belonged there. But here’s the kicker—this isn’t the first time the Pittsburgh Penguins’ rising star has gushed about Sidney Crosby. Safe to say, this rookie is living the dream in Pittsburgh, and he’s just getting started!
Pittsburgh Penguins’ stars get honest about each other
The Penguins made a move that had hockey fans buzzing—calling up their rising star, Rutger McGroarty, from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton squad. And talk about a warm welcome! The moment he stepped into the locker room at PPG Paints Arena, he found himself right next to none other than Sidney Crosby. But it didn’t stop there—he hit the ice skating alongside the captain during practice. When asked what parts of Crosby’s game he’d love to soak up, McGroarty didn’t hesitate for a second, saying, “Like, everything.”
Even Crosby himself had words of wisdom for the young forward, reminding him to stay true to the game that got him here in the first place. “I think we’ll try to talk through things and that sort of thing but I don’t think he needs to overthink it. Just trust your game and that sort of thing, but definitely if there are plays or little things that can help us, we’ll try to talk about it. I think it’s better if you just go out there and rely on your instincts and just go from there.” That’s classic Sid—keeping it simple, keeping it smart, and passing down knowledge like a true leader.
McGroarty’s journey to Pittsburgh has been anything but ordinary. So far, he’s stacked up 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists) in 60 AHL games this season and even got a brief taste of the NHL with a few games for the Pens. Now, with a locker next to Crosby and a chance to learn from one of the best, this might just be the start of something special!
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