[Oct 17, 2026 (Sat)] NHL Analysis Penguins @ Avalanche Preview - BeaverStats

This is an NHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Penguins @ Avalanche (Oct 17, 2026 (Sat)).

*Written before starting goalies and lineups were confirmed! They can change right before puck drop, so check the link below for the latest data.

You can see the full, more detailed data on the game list.

This post was analyzed/written by AI based on data from beaverstats.com. Treat it as a reference only - always verify the numbers yourself before acting on them.

Penguins @ Avalanche

Penguins projected starting goalie: Arturs Silovs @ Avalanche projected starting goalie: Mackenzie Blackwood

Colorado leads on 5v5 xG% once last season is blended in, Pittsburgh leads this season alone, and the goalies point the other way: Silovs is positive on the road, Blackwood negative at home.

Early in the season, so blending in last year, 5v5 xG% is 52.0 for Pittsburgh and 56.9 for Colorado, a 4.8-point home edge. This season only, over 7 games, it flips to 55.5 vs 54.1 for the Penguins. Pittsburgh is 3-3-1 with goals 25-22 (5v5 18-14); Colorado is 4-2-1 with 31-22 (5v5 26-13). Pittsburgh's PK is 88.9%, Colorado's 66.7% with a 6.7% PP.

Silovs on the road (two seasons): 17 games, .901, +2.8 GSAx, 9-5-3. This season: .885, -0.1, 3-1. Last five GSAx: -1.2. Blackwood at home: 23 games, .883, -6.4 GSAx, 12-8-1. This season: .879, -3.1, 3-2, with -3.1 over his last five.

Both teams are on a one-game losing streak. If Colorado starts Wedgewood instead, he has a home GSAx of +4.8 and a 1-0-1 record this season. If Pittsburgh turns to Murashov, he is 0-2-1 this season with a road GSAx of +0.5.

In summary, the 5v5 picture depends on the sample, so goaltending could decide this one. Whether Blackwood or Wedgewood starts is the key question.