In Pittsburgh, the visiting Colorado Avalanche defeated the Penguins on Tuesday, 6-4.
With the win, the Avs clinched a playoff berth in the Western Conference.
“We have a talented group, right? High expectations,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “It’s hard not to like the season we’ve had to this point. … I really like what I’m seeing. I feel like we’re still improving at this point of the year and that’s what we want to do right to the bitter end.”
Nathan MacKinnon hit for a double in the Avs. win.
Colorado improved to 50-14-6.
Darcy Kuemper made 41 saves in the Avalanche win.
Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzel had goals for the Penguins.
“Every game is big. Every point is important,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’re scratching and clawing, and doing our best to put our best game on the ice to try to win games.”
Pittsburgh dropped to 41-20-10.
“I thought we were pretty good,” Rust said. “There are obviously a few breakdowns there. When you give a team like that good opportunities, a team with really good players like that, they’re going to make you pay.”
J.T. Compher and Darren Helm added single markers and two points each for the Avs.
“It’s two big wins for us against a team like that, two games in a row,” the Avalanche’s Alex Newhook said. “I think getting those wins definitely add some confidence to our group and some knowledge that we can play these games.
Evan Rodrigues also scored for Pittsburgh, and Mike Matheson scored late in the third period to make the score 6-4 for the final.
“We controlled O-zone play,” Rodrigues said. “I think, for the most part, controlled a lot of the game. But when you play a team like that, so lethal off the rush, they’ll take advantage of it. I think we let them do that.”
Josh Manson added a marker for the Avs, his goal gave them a 4-1 lead.in the third period.
“We’ve built a strong culture here. A lot of amazing players,” MacKinnon said. “Doesn’t mean anything. We won the Presidents’ [Trophy] last year (for the best regular-season record in the NHL). Doesn’t matter if you’re an 8 or 1 [seed], we just want to get in and try to do some damage.”
Tristan Jarry made 26 saves in the Pens loss.
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