Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby tops Sporting News’ list of the 50 greatest players in today’s NHL, as selected by a panel of 121 experts that includes Hall of Famers, major award winners, executives, coaches and other hockey experts.

Crosby edged Alex Ovechkin by only seven points (1,509-1,502), despite picking up fewer first-place votes (53-34) than the colorful Washington Capitals left winger. Crosby and Ovechkin were followed in the voting by Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (nine first-place votes), Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom (four) and Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (one).

Rounding out the top 10: 6. Flames RW Jarome Iginla, 7. Red Wings LW Henrik Zetterberg, 8. Bruins D Zdeno Chara, 9. Devils G Martin Brodeur, and 10. Lightning C Vincent Lecavalier.