DENVER — Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins pay a visit to Ball Arena on Tuesday evening to play Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche. Many people hope it’s not the last time he plays there this season.

With the trade deadline this Friday, the seemingly-always circulating rumors of Crosby joining MacKinnon on the Avs to compete for another Stanley Cup are alive and well. But both will be looking to get respective wins for their team.

Colorado Avalanche (35-24-2)

The Avs are enjoying a nice stretch in the midst of this six-game homestand. They’ve won two of two, most recently coming on Friday night in a 5-2 final over the Minnesota Wild.

Colorado has finally gotten some help from depth scoring in the last few games, which has carried them to the wins. The three-stars last game were none of the usual suspects. Rather, it was Jack Drury, Oliver Kylington, and Ross Colton.

Plus, additions have been made. Colorado brought in Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey from the New York Rangers for Calvin de Haan, Juuso Parssinen, and draft picks. Lindgren is expected to play this evening, while Vesey may be a healthy scratch.

Lines

Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas
Jonathan Drouin – Casey Mittelstadt – Valeri Nichushkin
Joel Kiviranta – Jack Drury – Ross Colton
Miles Wood – Parker Kelly – Logan O’Connor

Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Sam Girard – Oliver Kylington
Ryan Lindgren – Sam Malinski

Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood

Scratches: Jimmy Vesey, Josh Manson, Keaton Middleton

Pittsburgh Penguins (24-29-10)

It has been a year to forget for the Penguins. The last few games are examples of just that. Pittsburgh has lost two straight, most recently at home in a 6-5 OT thriller against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

They sit last in the Metropolitan Division but are still only eight points out of a Wild Card spot. Should they go on a good run of form, there’s an outside chance at a playoff spot.

But the lack of form is hindering their chances, and they are eyeing a fire sale at the end of the week. Can a win today help their case for a late-season push?

Lines

Rickard Rakell – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Anthony Beauvillier – Evgeni Malkin – Philip Tomasino
Danton Heinen – Kevin Hayes – Emil Bemstrom
Blake Lizotte – Cody Glass – Noel Acciari

Ryan Shea – Kris Letang
Matt Grzelcyk – Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves – Vincent Desharnais

Alex Nedeljkovic
Joel Blomqvist

Scratches: Jack St. Ivany, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Michael Bunting

Game Information

Time: 7:00 p.m. MT

Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, SN-PIT, ESPN+ (Out of Market Only)

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM