Pittsburgh Penguins watch Colorado Avalanche turn a first-period wave into the deciding margin at PPG Paints Arena

The Pittsburgh Penguins entered 35-20 with 16 overtime losses and 2 points, and the Colorado Avalanche arrived at 47-13 with 10 overtime losses and 6 points at PPG Paints Arena. The Avalanche left with a 6-2 result after scoring 4 goals in the first period while the Penguins scored 1 goal in the first period.

First period

The Penguins struck for 1 even-strength goal in the opening period while finishing the night with 32 shots and a 6 percent shooting rate. The Avalanche answered with 4 first-period goals on the way to 30 shots and a 20 percent shooting rate. The Pens went 0-for-4 on the power play with 9 shots, and the Avs went 1-for-3 on the power play with 3 shots. Arturs Silovs recorded 24 saves with 5 goals against on 29 shots against in the Pittsburgh Penguins post-match stats. Sidney Crosby logged 1 assist and 6 shots, and Rickard Rakell scored 1 goal on 4 shots.

Second period

The Penguins were held without a goal in the second period while finishing with 15 missed shots and 16 hits. The Avalanche added 1 goal in the second period while posting 14 hits and 12 blocked shot attempts. The Pens produced 6 takeaways and 15 giveaways, and the Avs finished with 2 takeaways and 23 giveaways. Kris Letang added 1 assist, and Connor Clifton delivered 5 hits.

Third period

The Penguins scored 1 goal in the third period, and the Avalanche scored 1 goal in the third period that included 1 empty-net goal in the game totals. The Penguins blocked 21 shot attempts while the Avalanche blocked 12, and the faceoff battle finished 35-33 for the Burgundy and Blue on 68 draws. Scott Wedgewood earned the win with 30 saves while allowing 2 goals on 32 shots against, and Martin Necas headlined the stars list for the Avs alongside Sam Malinski. The Pittsburgh Penguins match rating reflected a minus-16 team plus-minus, and the Pittsburgh Penguins final whistle reaction centered on a night where even-strength goals ended 5-2 for Colorado.

Next game

The Pittsburgh Penguins vs Colorado Avalanche review now turns to the next scheduled broadcast, with the Penguins listed as the away team against the the Ottawa Senators on 03/26/2026 at 7:00 PM EDT at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The game will be available on ESPN+ and SportsNet PT, so queue it up and keep it locked for the next drop of the puck, then share this article with other fans.