Avalanche's Dominant Performance Sends Penguins Reeling in Extra-Time Clash
Defense crumbles, goaltending falters, and the Avalanche suffer a brutal 7-2 to the Penguins as they capitalized on every opportunity presented to them
It wasn’t going to be easy getting back in the win column for the Colorado Avalanche, going up against a hot Pittsburgh Penguins team, but no one would have expected the outcome the way it did. Bad defense, not great goaltending, mistakes everywhere led to a brutal night of hockey as the Avalanche fell 7-2. Period 1: Thirty seconds in, Evgeni Malkin is called for tripping, but the Avalanche couldn't capitalize on the early power play.
Just over 10 seconds out of the box, Malkin with a nice spin-o-rama backhand shot beats Scott Wedgewood to make it 1-0 on their first shot of the game. Though it's Martin Necas who finds Nathan MacKinnon trailing, and he toe-drag riles a shot, beating Artur Silovs and tying the game 1-1. The Dogg gets it done.
pic. twitter. com/skyjAFcbcd — Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 17, 2026 The Avalanche defense is caught lacking as Erik Karlsson fires a cross-ice pass to Anthony Mantha, as he finds himself behind the defense and scores on the breakaway, making it 2-1.
Ville Koivunen is called for cross-checking, sending the Avalanche to the power play, and it does look much better than their first opportunity. Jack Drury is called for interference, sending the Penguins to their first power play, but the Avalanche does a good job killing it off. Again, it's the Avalanche defense making it too easy for the Penguins as Josh Manson gets beat to the puck and Nick Blankenburg drifts way too far over, leaving Malkin all alone, making it 3-1.