Penguins’ Sidney Crosby wins fifth ESPY for best NHL player

Jun 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) at the face-off circle against the Boston Bruins during the third period in game two of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Boston Bruins won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Once again, Sidney Crosby proved he was the best player in the NHL this year by winning his fifth ESPY on Wedneday night. Fans who voted on ESPN.com decided that Crosby beat out John Tavares, Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews and Henrik Lundqvist for the ESPY.

Crosby played in the first 36 games of the season before missing the final 12 with a broken jaw, but he led the whole NHL in scoring before getting hurt and losing the points race to Martin St. Louis in the final week of the season.

He later came back in the playoffs and lit things up in his first game against the Islanders with two early goals. His best goal of the season came against New York in the playoffs when he split two defenders and scored. It looked very much like the statue of Mario Lemeiux outside Consol Energy Center.

Earlier this summer, Crosby also won the Ted Lindsay Award for most outstanding player, voted on by NHL players. The league media denied him the Hart Trophy for MVP, however. That prize went to Ovechkin.