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Avalanche vs. Penguins: How to Watch Monday NHL Showdown
Catch the East vs. West matchup between the Avalanche and Penguins on ESPN.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:25pm
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The Pittsburgh Penguins will get a boost with the return of Evgeni Malkin and potentially Sidney Crosby as they take on the league-leading Colorado Avalanche on Monday night. The game will air nationally on ESPN, with cord-cutters able to stream it on the ESPN app.
Why it matters
This inter-conference matchup between two of the NHL's top teams will showcase some of the league's biggest stars. The Avalanche lead the NHL with 97 points, while the Penguins are hoping to get healthy and make a push in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The details
The Penguins will welcome back center Evgeni Malkin, who is eligible to play after serving a five-game suspension. There's also a chance that captain Sidney Crosby, who suffered a lower-body injury during the 2026 Winter Olympics, could return to the lineup during Pittsburgh's road trip. The Avalanche have been dominant this season, leading the NHL with 97 points.
- The game is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 16, 2026.
- The Penguins and Avalanche will also meet again on March 24 in Pittsburgh.
The players
Evgeni Malkin
A star center for the Pittsburgh Penguins who is returning from a five-game suspension.
Sidney Crosby
The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins who is recovering from a lower-body injury suffered during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Colorado Avalanche
The NHL's top team this season, leading the league with 97 points.
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This matchup between the Avalanche and Penguins features some of the NHL's biggest stars and will be a must-watch game for hockey fans, with the added intrigue of Malkin and potentially Crosby returning to the Pittsburgh lineup.
