NHL teams
Katie Strang, ESPN.com 9y

Showdown: Toews vs. Crosby

NHL, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins

It will be a clash between two of the game's most revered players when Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks travel to Pittsburgh to take on Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins in both clubs' final match before the 2015 NHL All-Star Game, which -- not surprisingly -- features both centers. Formerly Olympic teammates for Team Canada, Toews and Crosby will put aside their gold-medal glory days to square off with both of their squads jockeying for position in the standings heading into the break.

Stats: While Crosby is the more prolific in the points department, Toews is certainly no slouch. No. 87 paces the Pens with 51 points through 42 games -- good for third in the NHL -- while Toews ranks second in scoring for the Blackhawks with 41 points through 46 games.

Toews is the type of player to hover around that point-per-game production, but Crosby is expected to smash through that.

"If Sid doesn't get 100 points, everyone's going to say it was a bad year," Minnesota Wild star winger Zach Parise told ESPN.com. "That's the bar he set for himself."

And though Crosby is a two-time Art Ross and Hart Trophy winner with a Stanley Cup to his name (2009), Toews also has plenty of accolades from his seven-plus seasons in the NHL: two Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, a Conn Smythe Trophy (2010) and a Frank J. Selke Trophy (2013).

In terms of possession numbers, Toews has the upper hand with an impressive Corsi percentage of 57.6, according to hockeyanalysis.com, and also faces the toughest competition of any regular center on the team, according to Behindthenet.ca.

"I think Johnny takes a lot of pride in playing without the puck," Parise said. "Not that Sid doesn't, but Johnny's game is more, play against the other team's top line and shut 'em down, along with scoring goals."

Meanwhile, Crosby leads the Pens in points per 60 minutes played (2.49) and boasts a solid Corsi percentage of 53.3, but doesn't face nearly as stiff of competition as last season; Penguins coach Mike Johnston has utilized Brandon Sutter's line in that role this season, much like the way Jordan Staal's line was deployed before he was traded to Carolina in 2012.

Style: Both Toews and Crosby are regarded as fierce competitors, guys you'd want to build a team around, franchise players. Crosby is arguably the most dynamic, skilled player in the game, while Toews may be considered one of the toughest to play against with a formidable two-way game.

Crosby is a generational talent. Toews is consistently billed as the consummate "winner."

Team USA star Parise, who faced both during the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics where Team Canada won back-to-back gold medals, said there really is no good answer as to who he'd rather see on the ice at any given time.

"It's pick your poison," Parise said. "You've got to shut them both down because both can hurt you. Both are big-game players. ... Johnny's gonna go through you where Sid just has that offensive finesse, but he's also got that competitiveness that makes him who he is."

Asked which player he'd rather have on his team, one former NHL coach said he'd go with Toews.

Though Crosby is the flashier of the two -- which garners him more attention, both good and bad -- Toews' durability made him the more appealing pick.

Crosby played all but two games last season, but has been hampered by injuries in the past, whereas Toews has been able to remain relatively healthy throughout his career.

Strengths: Both Crosby and Toews have the ability to completely take over a game, but it's a different tool box that each possesses.

Crosby seems to make anyone that plays with him -- Chris Kunitz, Patric Hornqvist -- a star by association, with an uncanny hockey IQ that matches his superb skill set. He keeps goaltenders honest with one of the best backhand shots in the league and is a dangerous passing threat, as well. That makes him extremely tough to defend, because opposing netminders have to be aware of both possibilities when he darts to the net.

"Well, he probably has one of the best backhand shots in the league, and anytime he goes on the backhand, you have to be aware -- and who's on the other side, too. Because sometimes he goes for the shot and sometimes he passes the puck, too," New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist told ESPN's Linda Cohn. "I think he's one of the best passers when he's on his backhand. And his speed, too. Really good speed."

Toews' ability to drive to the net makes him a daunting presence whenever he's on the ice. That bullishness also provides him a knack for keeping plays alive offensively

Said one NHL scout: "Just when you think [the play is] gonna die, whether it's in the corner or along the wall or net front, he is able to regain possession and most times create something out of nothing."

Though the straight-up, one-on-one skill might not be the same as Crosby, or even teammate Patrick Kane, Toews possesses the ability to "use size and competitiveness level to create offense."

Said Lundqvist: "They're a little different, but they're both extremely tough to defend."

Prediction: I like Toews to prevail in this particular battle, especially with the Penguins recovering from a nasty, emotional battle with the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Toews is coming off the Blackhawks' morale-boosting 6-1 rout against the Arizona Coyotes, a game in which he snapped an 11-game goal slump. Kane had a big night, recording his 200th career goal, but perhaps Wednesday will be Toews' time to shine as the two teams clash before the All-Star break.

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