PITTSBURGH -- Martin Necas scored twice, including one of four goals for the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of a 6-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday. Sam Malinski had a goal and an assist, and Scott Wedgewood made 30 saves for the Avalanche (47-13-10), who have won three in a row.

Patrick Kane described the Detroit Red Wings as being "in the thick of things," in the NHL playoffs chase, but the thickness has thinned.