DENVER — Even a weak Avalanche can still do some damage.

In a battle of snow elements between the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins, the home team would get the win. The Avs were far from their best, but still pulled out a 4-1 victory on Tuesday night.

Sidney Crosby’s one visit to Ball Arena this season showed what the Avs could provide for him if he ever were to be traded. Let the rumors fly until the trade deadline this Friday!

First Period

Colorado opened the game with some great chances from birthday boy Valeri Nichushkin and Martin Necas. Both of them had their chances stopped by Alex Nedeljkovic, however.

Pittsburgh started to find its legs in the second half of the period. More than a few times, they had Scott Wedgewood swimming in the crease. Their best chances came from battles in the slot, plus a Crosby wrister from the far circle which he snared. It made for some entertainment on both ends of the ice, but the two remained scoreless.

Second Period

Carrying the same momentum from the end of the first, Pittsburgh kept flowing. Wedgewood continued to make some crucial saves, including on an early breakaway by Anthony Beauvillier.

Somewhat against the run of play, it would be Colorado opening the scoring. Cale Makar found Nathan MacKinnon behind the net. He then fed Artturi Lehkonen right in front to put it into the top corner, all done in a beautiful one-touch passing play.

MacKinnon nearly doubled the advantage on a short-side opportunity, but it hit the iron. The Avs found themselves in some penalty trouble with Sam Malinski going off for hooking and Devon Toews off for holding. On the Malinski kill, Nichushkin and Lehkonen nearly had a 3-on-0 with Toews after a bad outlet pass by Nedeljkovic, but he couldn’t beat the netminder.

Chances continued to fly at the net for the Penguins, and they were bound to break through. Late at the 18:04 mark of the frame, Rickard Rakell would put a nice tic-tac-toe play in the back of the net to even it up with 20 minutes to go.

Third Period

Even with Wedgewood being knocked out of the way by several Pens players early in the period, he continued to do his part. He bailed out the team in front of him, as they continued to be suffocated.

Finally, they started to swing some things forward. MacKinnon nearly beat everyone into the zone to the net, but was held up just enough to not draw a penalty. Miles Wood also forced a turnover on the forecheck to Parker Kelly, whose point-blank shot was denied right in front.

Even better, Colorado finally got their lone power play opportunity of the evening when Logan O’Connor was tripped up. Nichushkin found Casey Mittelstadt along the goal line with a saucer pass and he banked it in for the advantage.

In the closing minutes, it would be shut down hockey against an advantageous Penguins team who had been pushing forward all game long. Lehkonen and Jack Drury would be sure to put it to bed with empty netters and a third straight home win.

Observations from the Mountaintop

It sure wasn’t the prettiest of games. Colorado suffered a lot of turnovers, penalties, and general mistakes. These issues just compounded all night long. They managed to battle through thanks to a lack of finishing by the Penguins. Plus, they have Wedgewood to thank for a phenomenal game in the crease to grind out the win. With only 15 shots recorded through two periods, his defensive play was a necessity.

Once again, the impact of Nichushkin is insane. Colorado has won the last seven games he’s been in the lineup. On his 30th birthday, he also found the game-winning assist with the dish pass to Mittelstadt. He continued to drive the play forward, giving the Avs more opportunities than they might have before. Even with the lines mixed in the third period, he did his stuff. No matter who he’s with, it’s an incredible difference and a key factor in a month for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Next Game

The homestand continues with Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks coming to town on Thursday night. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. MT for all to watch on ESPN.