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Penguins and Avalanche Face Off in Marquee NHL Matchup
Injury-plagued Penguins look to upset league-leading Avalanche in Denver
Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:33pm
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The Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Colorado Avalanche in a highly anticipated NHL matchup on Monday night at Ball Arena in Denver. The Avalanche lead the league with a 44-12-9 record and 97 points, powered by an MVP-caliber season from star center Nathan MacKinnon. The Penguins sit second in the Metropolitan Division at 33-18-15 (81 points) despite dealing with several key injuries, including to captain Sidney Crosby, who may make a surprise return.
Why it matters
This game features two of the NHL's top teams and biggest stars, with the Avalanche looking to continue their dominant home-ice performance and the Penguins hoping to pull off an upset despite their injury woes. The outcome could have significant implications for the playoff race in both the Metropolitan Division and the Western Conference.
The details
The Penguins are dealing with a number of injuries, including to Crosby, defenseman Samuel Girard, and forwards Kevin Hayes and Justin Brazeau. The Avalanche are also missing key players like captain Gabriel Landeskog, Artturi Lehkonen, and Ross Colton. Despite the injuries, both teams have remained competitive, with the Avalanche leading the league in goals per game and the Penguins' Erik Karlsson averaging nearly 24 minutes per game.
- The game is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026 at 9:30 p.m. ET.
- Crosby has been on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, but there is a possibility he could return for this game.
The players
Nathan MacKinnon
The star center for the Colorado Avalanche is having an MVP-caliber season, leading the team with 44 goals and 65 assists for 109 total points.
Sidney Crosby
The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins has been sidelined with a lower-body injury, but there is a chance he could make a surprise return for this game.
Erik Karlsson
The veteran defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins has been logging heavy minutes, averaging nearly 24 minutes per game despite the team's injury woes.
What they’re saying
“We must be prepared for a tough battle against a very skilled Avalanche team, but we're confident in our ability to compete and pull off the upset if Sid can return to the lineup.”
— Mike Sullivan, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins (Penguins Radio Network)
“This is a big game for us as we look to continue our strong play at home and solidify our position atop the Western Conference standings.”
— Jared Bednar, Head Coach, Colorado Avalanche (Altitude Sports Radio)
What’s next
If Crosby is able to return, the Penguins will need him to provide a spark and help lead the team to an upset victory over the league-leading Avalanche. The outcome of this game could have major implications for the playoff race in both conferences.
The takeaway
This matchup between two of the NHL's elite teams features star power, high-powered offenses, and significant injury concerns for both sides. The Penguins' ability to overcome their injuries and the Avalanche's continued dominance at home will be key factors in determining the winner of this marquee regular season showdown.
