Back from suspension, Evgeni Malkin guides Penguins past Avs
- Evgeni Malkin returned from a five-game suspension on Monday, March 16, 2026, scoring twice to spark the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-2 rout of the Colorado Avalanche in Denver.
- Malkin served the suspension for striking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin on March 5, while the Penguins played their 11th straight game without star center Sidney Crosby.
- Goaltender Scott Wedgewood was pulled 13 minutes in after allowing three goals on five shots. Pittsburgh matched its season high for goals on just 20 shots.
- Avalanche coach Bednar blamed his team's defense, saying, "That start is not on at all." The lopsided score triggered a rare mass exodus of fans midway through the final period.
- Colorado hosts the Dallas Stars on Wednesday for a Central Division showdown, while Pittsburgh plays at Carolina the same day to continue building momentum.
38 Articles
38 Articles
Malkin gets 2 goals in his return from suspension as the Penguins beat the NHL-leading Avalanche 7-2
Evgeni Malkin scored twice in a four-goal first period and added an assist in his return from a five-game suspension for slashing, sparking the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-2 victory over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.
Samuel Girard returns to Colorado with Penguins, but facing Avalanche will have to wait
The Colorado Avalanche traded Samuel Girard three weeks ago, but he won't be able to play for his new team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, when they are at Ball Arena on Monday night.
PREVIEW: Penguins face a rocky test on the road against Colorado Avalanche
It is step four of the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ (33-18-15) five-game gauntlet road trip and perhaps the most difficult. No team in the league is better, and no team in the league has a better goal differential than the Presidents’ Trophy-contending Colorado Avalanche (44-12-9). The Penguins face Colorado Monday at Ball Arena.
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