NHL Video: Sidney Crosby and the 25 Best Star-Player Fights

Fighting is one of the most unique aspects of the NHL versus all other sports leagues.

Most fans would agree that fighting is one of the most exciting aspects of the game as well. It becomes even more exciting when star players decide to drop the gloves to either defend themselves, a teammate or to get momentum going for their team.

It is not often that the star players go at it. After all, teams don't want to risk losing them to injury or to the penalty box. That makes it all the more special when they do drop the gloves.

Here are the top 25 star player fights. Enjoy!

25. Sidney Crosby vs. Matt Niskanen

Sidney Crosby and Matt Niskanen dropped the gloves this past season.

Crosby dominated, but against the less-experienced Niskanen.

They’re teammates now. Is that awkward?

24. Chris Pronger vs. Willie Mitchell

There’s a big scrum on the ice during this Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers game.

The two players that end up dropping the gloves are Chris Pronger and Willie Mitchell.

Pronger towers over Mitchell, but it doesn’t seem to give him much of an advantage.

23. Mike Richards vs. Matt Cooke

Mike Richards said in a postgame interview that he would fight Matt Cooke if “Sidney Crosby fights Carcillo.”

Well, here he is fighting Matt Cooke after that statement. But, unfortunately, we were not treated to a Daniel Carcillo- Sidney Crosby fight (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it).

22. Marian Gaborik vs. Daniel Carcillo

There was some controversy over a player like Daniel Carcillo going after a player like Marian Gaborik.

Personally, it looked like Gaborik was a willing participant.

Carcillo wins this one, but you gotta love Gaborik’s willingness to drop the gloves with a Carcillo-type.

21. Danny Briere vs. Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Danny Briere doesn’t fight very often, and it’s easy to see why.

This shouldn’t be included on a “best” list, but this was his first fight in about eight years.

It makes the list as a unique occurrence.

20. Ryan Kesler vs. Corey Perry

Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry dropped the gloves this past season.

Not a great quality fight, but hey, it's two stars up against each other.

They land some good punches, but that’s about it.

19. Sidney Crosby vs. Andrew Ference

Sidney Crosby’s first NHL fight.

He took on Andrew Ference of the Boston Bruins and didn’t do too shabby.

The announcer excitedly says it all, “Crosby’s in a fight!”

18. Steven Stamkos vs. Nikolay Zherdev

 Steven Stamkos took on Nikolay Zherdev back in 2008.

Stamkos came out swinging hard.

He didn’t look like someone who was experiencing his first NHL fight.

17. Jonathan Toews vs. David Backes

In just the second fight of his career, Chicago Blackhawks’ captain Jonathan Toews took on David Backes.

Toews was in over his head, but kudos to him for not giving up easily.

16. Rick Nash vs. Evgeni Malkin

Just Evgeni Malkin’s second fight, Rick Nash had been involved in a handful of previous fights.

Smart move on both of their parts to fight another star instead of an experienced fighter and risk serious injury.

Or maybe they didn't think about it that much; they were just annoyed with one another.

15. Ryan Kesler vs. Shea Weber

Ryan Kesler and Shea Weber are both stars on their teams.

They’re both also tough guys on their teams.

In this matchup, Weber seems to best Kesler.

14. Pavel Datsyuk vs. Scott Niedermayer

There is quite the commotion going on in this Anaheim Ducks-Red Wings 2009 playoff game.

Pavel Datsyuk and Scott Niedermayer start to go at it, with Niedermayer taking the fight.

13. Evander Kane vs. Matt Cooke

Evander Kane gained a lot of new fans after knocking out the despised Matt Cooke in this fight.

Not only did the Thrashers’ star deliver a knockout punch, but he probably saved Cooke from further injury by holding onto his jersey as he fell.

12. Alex Ovechkin vs. Brandon Dubinsky

Alex Ovechkin had been involved in minor scraps before, but this was his first fight in a few years and first as captain.

Not too bad.

The best part of the fight was that it occurred while Ovechkin was mic'd up for HBO 24/7. We got to hear the two players congratulate each other on a well-fought battle.

That's what hockey fights are all about: mutual respect.

11. Ilya Kovalchuk vs. Dion Phaneuf

This is a pretty good scrap.

Dion Phaneuf is known as a good fighter, but Kovalchuk isn’t really a fighter.

Yet, Kovy holds his own in this one.

10. Chris Chelios vs. Mark Recchi

Mark Recchi and Chris Chelios had a pretty good bout here at the end of the game.

Chelios toughs it out, managing to continue to get punches in while Recchi is trying to get the jersey over his head.

Meanwhile, there’s another fight going on at the other end.

9. Pavel Datsyuk vs. Corey Perry

Pavel Datsyuk apparently isn’t a big fan of the Anaheim Ducks.

Two career fights, both versus Anaheim Ducks.

This time, Datsyuk takes on Corey Perry—no stranger to fights. Datsyuk’s scrappier and takes the fight. Impressive.

8. Mario Lemieux vs. Todd Krygier

See? The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals didn’t care for each other long before Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby came along.

Mario Lemieux didn’t fight often, but he fought Todd Krygier after getting sent to the ice and then getting his helmet knocked off.

7. Evgeni Malkin vs. Henrik Zetterberg

It’s the end of Game 2 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals. The Red Wings have won the game, and there’s some pushing in front of the net.

Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin decides to take on Zetterberg.

A few punches are thrown, but definitely not an experienced fight, as is to be expected from a fight between two stars.

6. Ryan Getzlaf vs. Joe Thornton

Right off the faceoff, Ryan Getzlaf and Joe Thornton drop the gloves.

This is one of the best star player fights. Two of the best centers and captains in the league going at it in the playoffs?

Amazing.

5. Jarome Iginla vs. Jamie Benn

Jamie Benn left his helmet on, but that didn’t dissuade Jarome Iginla.

Even though Iginla bled more, it looked like a pretty even fight.

Lots of punches were thrown and they kept at it for awhile, despite Iginla appearing to not be able to see out of his right eye through all the blood.

4. Sidney Crosby vs. Brett MacLean

Sidney Crosby had to sit out almost a full period after this fight.

He received 19 penalty minutes: Five for fighting, 10 for misconduct, two for instigator and two for unsportsmanlike conduct.

I don't care what he says, it was worth it. That video will live on forever.

3. Vincent Lecavalier vs. Jarome Iginla

Vincent Lecavalier wasn’t, and still isn’t, known as a fighter. But he took on Iginla back in 2004 during the Stanley Cup Finals.

 Lecavalier actually held his own against the more experienced fighter, to the surprise of many.

2. Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon

What an insane star-studded event on the ice.

First, Igor Larionov and Peter Forsberg are rolling around. Next, Claude Lemieux gets involved.

Then, Patrick Roy comes out to lend a fist against Mike Vernon.

1. Alexander Semin vs. Marc Staal

“That was different.”

That is an understatement.

NHL fights generally use closed fists, but I guess Semin didn't get that memo. Semin should stick to offensive play, and has ever since.