PITTSBURGH -- Colorado coach Jared Bednar didn't have to search hard for a way to describe his club's 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night at PPG Paints Arena.

"Gutsy. Liked it," Bednar said of a game that was scoreless for more than 45 minutes.

Defenseman Mark Barberio's goal at 6:17 of the third period broke the scoreless tie and former Penguins winger Blake Comeau added an empty-netter to make it 2-0 before Pittsburgh's Phil Kessel spoiled what would have been a shutout for goaltender Jonathan Bernier with 11.8 seconds left.

"This was a big game," Barberio said of beating the defending Stanley Cup champions. "All around, I think we committed to good defensive hockey, and we earned that one."

Barberio, just two games removed from being a healthy scratch for Colorado, equaled his goal output from last season with his second of the season. His shot from the high slot clipped the skate of Penguins center Riley Sheahan in front, and the puck deflected high past the glove of Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry.

"It changed direction a little bit," Jarry said. "I think it went off somebody's foot. I just tried to get over and get up on it as quick as I could. I couldn't get it."

Jarry made 26 saves and is on a 1-2-0 stretch plus a no-decision after getting pulled following one period Saturday.

Bernier had a heavier workload, stopping 39 shots, and was disappointed he didn't pick up his second shutout of the season.

"It's hard enough to get one when you're so close," he said. "Obviously, it's tough. At the same time, we got the big two points for us. That's what matters."

The Avalanche (14-13-2) have won two in a row following a four-game losing streak and are 2-1-0 on a road trip that ends Tuesday in Washington.

The Penguins (16-13-3) have lost two straight and three of four following a four-game winning streak. They finished 2-3-0 on their season-high, five-game homestand.

"We certainly need to evaluate what's going on and why we're losing games, especially here at home where we've been so good," Pittsburgh defenseman Ian Cole said. "We need to figure this out, and we need to figure it out in a hurry. We were preaching patience early on, but now it's getting to the point when if we didn't feel that urgency to figure it out then, we certainly should now."

Coming in, both teams were focused on the way they were opening games.

Pittsburgh had a 13-6 shot advantage in the first, but Colorado came closest to scoring.

Nathan MacKinnon outmaneuvered defenseman Kris Letang and moved in from the left point. Although he partially fanned on his shot, the puck slid under Jarry at 15:56. However, the goal was waved off when the Penguins challenged and it was ruled that MacKinnon had been offside.

"That was close, as close as it gets," Bednar said.

After a scoreless second, Pittsburgh came roaring out in the third, building a 7-1 edge in shots. The Penguins couldn't get a goal with their push, but they didn't let up.

"Frustration is a useless emotion," Cole said. "If it's something where things aren't going our way or the goals aren't going in for whatever reason, getting frustrated doesn't help the issue. You can't frustrate the puck into the net and get mad about it."

It was Barberio who struck first with an unassisted goal.

"It was a good play," Barberio said. "We were doing the right things. Driving the puck in deep. Trying to get it toward the net. The puck just popped out perfectly for me. I just tried to get it through. It obviously hit a leg, but we'll take it."

Jarry found it discouraging to give up the first goal after the game was scoreless for so long.

"It's a tough one to swallow, and it's something I'll watch video on and improve on," the rookie said.

NOTES: Colorado C Alexander Kerfoot left with an undisclosed injury. ... Pittsburgh G Matt Murray (lower body) participated in his second consecutive morning skate but was not available to dress. He could face former Penguins G Marc-Andre Fleury on Thursday at Vegas. ... Colorado D Erik Johnson, who left the Saturday game at Florida after blocking a shot, was in the lineup. ... Colorado RW Nail Yakupov (illness) missed his third game in a row, and the Avalanche dressed seven defensemen. ... The game was the Penguins' 500th straight sellout (regular season and playoffs).