Pittsburgh Penguins 2–5 Colorado Avalanche: match recap

Pittsburgh Penguins2
Colorado Avalanche5

FinalNHL · Puck drop

Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche finished 2–5 (NHL) on October 17, 2026. Below: the form, standings and head-to-head record both teams took into the game.

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Match recap

Colorado ran away with a 5-2 win at home, fueled by a dominant top-six performance and a 3-goal margin that crushed any Penguins rally.

The Avalanche struck early with goals from Artturi Lehkonen (2 goals) and Gabriel Landeskog, building a lead that Pittsburgh could not overcome. Nathan MacKinnon was the engine with a goal and three assists, while Martin Necas added three helpers. Pittsburgh got two goals—Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust each scored—but Colorado's 5-goal output sealed the game with no shot-volume advantage for either side.

Key factors

  • Colorado's top line combined for 4 goals and 8 assists, creating an insurmountable scoring gap.
  • Pittsburgh failed to generate any shot-volume advantage (even at 0 shots each), limiting comeback chances.

The Analyst's take

The Avalanche's top-end talent overwhelmed a Penguins team that couldn't generate enough shots to test the defense. On the numbers, Colorado's 81.9% model share in the team form comparison suggests this home win was statistically well-placed, but Pittsburgh's lack of shot volume (0 shots each) points to a need for more offensive zone time to compete with elite clubs.

Matchup comparison

Recent form: Colorado Avalanche, 2-3 in the last 5 games against 1-4 for Pittsburgh Penguins.

Matchup to watch: Pittsburgh Penguins’ attack (index 114) against Colorado Avalanche’s defence (index 100).

Matchup to watch: Colorado Avalanche’s attack (index 141) against Pittsburgh Penguins’ defence (index 100).

Recent form: last 5

Pittsburgh Penguins: 1 win and 4 losses in the last 5, with 12 goals scored and 17 conceded.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Oct 14, 2026at Chicago BlackhawksL3–5
Oct 10, 2026vs Dallas StarsW2–1
Oct 9, 2026at Columbus Blue JacketsL2–3
Oct 7, 2026at Washington CapitalsL3–5
Oct 5, 2026vs Winnipeg JetsL2–3

Colorado Avalanche: 2 wins and 3 losses in the last 5, with 17 goals scored and 17 conceded.

Colorado Avalanche
Oct 15, 2026vs Dallas StarsL2–3
Oct 14, 2026at Dallas StarsW3–2
Oct 10, 2026vs Toronto Maple LeafsL3–6
Oct 9, 2026at Calgary FlamesW7–3
Oct 7, 2026at Winnipeg JetsL2–3

Results before kickoff, newest first.

Head-to-head

In the last 2 meetings on record, Pittsburgh Penguins won 1, Colorado Avalanche won 1.

Mar 24, 2026 · last seasonPittsburgh Penguins2–6Colorado Avalanche
Mar 17, 2026 · last seasonColorado Avalanche2–7Pittsburgh Penguins

Season so far

Pittsburgh Penguins are 22nd of 32 on win rate after 7 games (3-4).

Colorado Avalanche are 12th of 32 on win rate after 7 games (4-3).

#TeamPWLGoals
22Pittsburgh Penguins73425:22
12Colorado Avalanche74331:22

Team season model

  • Pittsburgh Penguins attack index 114: 14% more scoring per game than the league average.
  • Pittsburgh Penguins defence index 100: conceding level with the league average per game.
  • Colorado Avalanche attack index 141: 41% more scoring per game than the league average.
  • Colorado Avalanche defence index 100: conceding level with the league average per game.

Index 100 is the league average per game. Above 100 in attack means more scoring; below 100 in defence means fewer conceded.

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  • Player form: recent output from the players who matter most.
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