NHL

Hornqvist, Murray lead Penguins to 4-1 win over Avalanche

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) lets the puck slip past for a goal by Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (The Associated Press)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Mark Barberio (45) slips between Pittsburgh Penguins center Matt Cullen (7) and Eric Fehr (16) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (The Associated Press)

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby moves the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (The Associated Press)

Patric Hornqvist scored twice Thursday night while Sidney Crosby was held in check, and Matthew Murray made 27 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1.

Crosby remained stuck on 998 career points. The Penguins captain needs two more to become the 86th player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-point plateau.

Phil Kessel scored a goal and Chris Kunitz added an empty-netter for Pittsburgh, which has won four of its last five road games.

Gabriel Landeskog finally solved Murray on a power play with 3:16 remaining. But it was too little, too late as Colorado saw its modest — and season high-tying — two-game win streak snapped.