Pittsburgh Penguins (3-3-1) @ Colorado Avalanche (4-2-1)
7 p.m. MDT | Ball Arena | Watch: KTVD-20, Altitude, Altitude+ | Listen: Altitude Sports Radio (92.5 FM), Altitude Sports Radio App
The Avalanche concludes its two-game home stand when it hosts the Penguins on Friday for Colorado Youth Hockey Night, presented by Toyota. This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams in 2026-27, as they’ll play in Pittsburgh on January 12th.
Latest Result (COL): DAL 3, COL 2 (SO)
Latest Result (PIT): PIT 3, CHI 5
Wednesday Shootout
The Avalanche lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena on Wednesday. Gabriel Landeskog and Brock Nelson both scored for Colorado, Nazem Kadri recorded two assists and Scott Wedgewood stopped 20 of the 22 shots he faced. After two previous goals were disallowed, the Avs opened the scoring at 4:55 of the middle frame when Landeskog scored his second tally of the season via a net-front deflection set up by Kadri’s feed. Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen tied the game at 15:03 of the second period with a shot from the left circle. The Stars took a 2-1 lead at 1:20 of the third period when Arttu Hyry scored a shorthanded goal on a breakaway. Nelson tied the game at 8:21 of the final frame with his third goal of the season via a shot from the left doorstep. In the shootout, Jason Robertson scored in the first round for Dallas, Kadri scored in the second round for Colorado and Roope Hintz scored the fourth-round winner for the Stars.
Leading the Way
Nate the Great
Nathan MacKinnon is tied for fifth in the NHL in points (12), tied for seventh in assists (7) and tied for ninth in goals (5).
All Hail Cale
Among NHL defensemen, Cale Makar ranks tied for second in goals (3) and tied for sixth in points (7).
Toewser Laser
Devon Toews is tied for fifth among NHL defensemen in goals (2) and tied for 10th in points (6) by blueliners.
Series History
In 47 previous regular-season games against the Penguins, the Avalanche has a record of 26-12-3-6.
Tuesday in Chicago
The Penguins lost 5-3 to the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Tuesday. In the first period, Chicago’s Teuvo Teravainen opened the scoring at 28 seconds, Sidney Crosby tied the game for Pittsburgh at 6:57 and Roman Kantserov gave the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead on the power play at 17:50. In the middle frame, Kantserov gave Chicago a 3-1 advantage at 10:32 before Nick Robertson scored for the Penguins to make it 3-2 at 17:51. Crosby tied the game at 9:17 of the third period before Chicago took a 5-3 lead after a goal from Teravainen at 15:42 and an empty-netter from Tyler Bertuzzi at 19:50.
Putting Up Points Against Pittsburgh
MacKinnon has posted 30 points (11g/19a) in 24 games against the Penguins.
Gabriel Landeskog has registered 15 points (7g/8a) in 16 contests against Pittsburgh.
Nelson has recorded 41 points (21g/20a) in 48 regular-season games against the Penguins, along with nine points (6g/3a) in 11 playoff contests.
Penguins Producing Offense
Erik Karlsson leads the Penguins in points (7) and assists (7).
Robertson leads the Penguins in goals (4) and tied for fifth in points (4).
Samuel Girard is second on the Penguins in points (6) and assists (5).
A Numbers Game
4.43
The Avalanche’s 4.43 goals per game are the second most in the NHL.
30.6
Colorado’s 30.6 shots on goal per game rank tied for sixth in the NHL.
16
The Avalanche has posted an NHL-best 16 second-period goals.
Quote That Left a Mark
“They [are] all a little bit different. But all complement each other’s games. Through the course of this season, they are all playing within the structure of the game. Hitting the right routes on the breakouts [and] doing the right things. And you get rewarded for that. That’s why I think they’re having success.”
-- Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar on the Jaden Schwartz-Fedor Svechkov-T.J. Hughes line
