[Dion]

Originally Posted by Buff

Doing so well with Crosby helped to boost his confidence. Combine high confidence with something to prove (that he is good with or without Crosby) and he'll still do well. However, he would not have been in that position if he never played with Crosby. Even though he did well without Crosby, his pace still dropped off. He also has the benefit of playing either with Malkin, or on the 2nd line behind Malkin and thus the coverage on him wouldn't be as intense.

Something to consider....Crosby plays better with Kunitz

Does Kunitz owe a measure of his success to Crosby? Surely. But evidence shows that Crosby also plays better when he’s with Kunitz. In 280:40 so far this season when Kunitz+Crosby have been on the ice at 5 on 5, they have a 58.0 Corsi For %, and a 1.2 goals for/20 compared to just a .43 goals against/20.

When Crosby plays without Kunitz, as he’s done for 57:00 this year at even strength, his numbers drop to just a 50.9 CF%, a 0.35 goals for/20 and a 2.8 goals against/20. It’s a limited sample size (although 57 full minutes is nothing to dismiss completely) but the data that is around is very clear- Sidney Crosby plays better with Chris Kunitz than without him.

http://www.pensburgh.com/2013/11/22/...y-crosby-sochi