Crosby follows Gretzky 25 years later.

By Greg Maker

Wayne Gretzky entered the Northlands Colisseum in Edmonton, Alta. on May 10, 1983 hoping to unseed the three time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders. What happened taught "The Great One" and his teammates a lesson, one similar that 21-year old Sidney Crosby learned last season.
Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers lost game one 2-0. The Isles continued to frustrate the league's highest scoring team as the Oilers managed only six goals in four games leading the Isles to their fourth consecutive championship.
Last season Crosby's Penguins faced a similar situation going up against the Detroit Red Wings, the league's most successful franchise of the last decade. Similar to the Oilers in 1983, Pittsburgh was held scoreless during game one and also in game two. Though they played tough and pulled off two wins in the final four games, the Pens couldn't stop the Wings who won the series in six games.
This year is round two. Crosby, who has long been heralded as "The Next One" can cement his legacy this season. Once again Detroit will be the Penguins opponent. If Crosby and the Pens can pull this one off, it will be the young man from Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia's coming out party.
Edmonton managed to defeat the Isles 4 games to 1 in 1984, unseeding their dynasty and forming one of their own. The Oilers managed 20 goals in that years' finals to defeat the four-time defending champions and set-up a dynasty of their own.
Is their a dynasty on the horizon in Pittsburgh? Only time will tell but one thing is certain, Crosby has learned like many greats of the past how hard winning the Stanley Cup really is. This year should mark an exciting series. Pittsburgh is more experienced, younger and hungry. Detroit maintains their high-powered offense with plenty of secondary scorer and punishing hits from defensemen. Crosby has a chance to win but if his team comes up short what will that say about his legacy. especially if he never gets back to the finals in his career?