Scouting Report
These two are closely matched in overall FO% (55.0% vs 55.7%). Look for Crosby on neutral-zone draws (100% H2H, 3 meetings).
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Staal 54.7% vs Crosby 55.3% (-0.7%)
H2H factor
Not applied (7 meetings, need 10+)
Offensive zone
Crosby 60.2%
Defensive zone
Staal 82.7%
Neutral zone
Staal 56.3%
Result
Jordan Staal favored at 59.2%
59.2%
40.8%
Staal
Crosby
Head-to-Head Record
2
-
5
(7 meetings)
2
5
Staal
Crosby
Last 7: Staal 2-5 Crosby
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Edge: Crosby
0
2
Staal
Crosby
2 total
Defensive Zone
Edge: Staal
2
0
Staal
Crosby
2 total
Neutral Zone
Edge: Crosby
0
3
Staal
Crosby
3 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Staal
Crosby
Edge
Even Strength
56.2% (939)
53.5% (961)
+2.7%
Power Play
66.9% (139)
64.1% (237)
+2.8%
Penalty Kill
43.5% (239)
64.3% (14)
-20.8%
On penalty kill, Crosby has a +20.8% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Crosby shoots left. Staal is 50.8% vs left-shot opponents (922).
Staal shoots left. Crosby is 54.7% vs left-shot opponents (856).
Home / Away
Staal
Crosby
Home
55.4% (663)
56.4% (622)
Away
54.7% (654)
54.9% (590)
By Period
Staal
Crosby
P1
54.9%
56.0%
P2
55.1%
52.6%
P3
54.0%
58.3%
OT
70.0%
54.2%
Final 5 min
57.3%
55.8%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Staal
50.0%▼
52.5%
55.0%
Crosby
64.0%▲
53.5%
55.7%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2026 | 2 | 11:55 | Defensive | Jordan Staal |
| Mar 18, 2026 | 1 | 09:34 | Neutral | Sidney Crosby |
| Mar 18, 2026 | 1 | 09:24 | Offensive | Sidney Crosby |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 2 | 00:00 | Neutral | Sidney Crosby |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 1 | 17:24 | Offensive | Sidney Crosby |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 1 | 16:40 | Defensive | Jordan Staal |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 1 | 10:22 | Neutral | Sidney Crosby |