SUNRISE, Fla. -- Penguins second-year center Sidney Crosby is getting drawn into the game within the game that is reserved for the NHL's best.

Crosby, who was leading the league with 65 points going into the game at Florida last night, is matched against opponents' top skill players every game -- either directly, in line matchups, or in the form of anticipation and expectation.

For the Penguins' two games before last night, that meant top players such as Crosby and teammate Evgeni Malkin squaring off against Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards. Last night, it was against the Panthers' leading scorer, Olli Jokinen.

"It's not all about money with some of the top players," Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella said. "It's about who is better than who. They may be buddies off the ice, but, when that game's being played, especially the skill guys, I don't think they want to be outdone by anybody.

"I think with Mario [Lemieux], when we were playing against him, and with [Jaromir] Jagr and players like that, yeah. I think eventually it's going to happen with Crosby and Malkin."

Crosby, who has a connection with the Lightning's Richard through his junior team of Rimouski, is starting to get caught up some in the skill-on-skill matchups within games.

"Maybe a bit," he said. "It's fun when you play against guys you grew up watching. Obviously, you want to win, but it's exciting. I know Brad a little bit. It's not a fierce competition or anything like that, but, at the same time, it's fun. You want to see great plays and skill in the game. That's what people get when they see us play."

Florida coach Jacques Martin said it extends beyond the players. He expects his best players to outdo the other teams' stars.

"Your best players ought to be your best players every night," Martin said. "When you're playing a team like Pittsburgh, you're looking for players like Jokinen to outplay players like Crosby and Malkin.

"I think it's an extra motivation."

Tortorella thinks it's more than a little.

"I've always said, your best players are going to win or lose hockey games," he said. "I just don't think they want to be outdone."

A juggling act

A game after Penguins coach Michel Therrien chastised his second through fourth lines for not producing enough, he split up Crosby and Malkin, who had been playing with winger Mark Recchi.

Crosby remained with Recchi to start the game, but they were joined by winger Ryan Malone, while Malkin was skating with Jordan Staal and Michel Ouellet.

That was probably a relief to Florida's Martin.

"With [Crosby] and Malkin with a veteran in Recchi, it's really a line that you have to be aware of when they're on the ice," Martin said after the Panthers' morning skate.

Higher profile for Malkin

Malkin is one of five finalists for the NEXT cover on ESPN The Magazine, which honors an athlete expected to change the landscape of his sport.

The others are Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, Formula 1 race driver Juan Pablo Montoya and New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.

Past NEXT cover athletes include LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Yao Ming, Alex Rodriguez and Brian Urlacher.

More praise for Crosby

Wherever the Penguins go, reporters clamor to talk to Crosby, and opposing coaches praise the Penguins' center.

Florida's Martin gushes more than most.

He even evoked the G-word.

"Crosby has a great sense, a little bit like [all-time great Wayne] Gretzky, in the way he sees the play," Martin said. "His anticipation is outstanding."