Clutterbuck was hurt in New Jersey on Saturday after taking an elbow to the face, but he is good to go tonight vs. the Flyers. Clutterbuck has once again been valuable in hits leagues, racking up 231 (10th in the NHL) while chipping in 17 points (8G / 9A) in 73 games.
Varlamov made 39 saves on 40 shots in Colorado’s win over the Golden Knights on Saturday. Varlamov has won five of his last seven starts while posting an impressive 1.97 GAA and .948 SV%. As good as he has been, he has a tough matchup in Vegas—he is 9-9-4 with a 3.09 GAA and .907 SV% on the road this year.
Cizikas will be replaced by Chris Wagner tonight and there are some “longer-term concerns” for Cizikas according to head coach Doug Weight. Cizikas is not expected to travel to Ottawa for Tuesday’s game.
Rittich allowed one goal on five shots after replacing Mike Smith in the Flames loss to the Ducks on Wednesday. Rittich will make his first start since March 9th, and it will be his third appearance of the season vs. the Sharks—he has stopped 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) vs. San Jose.
Varlamov was pulled after allowing five goals on 20 shots in Colorado’s 7-1 loss to the Kings on Thursday. Despite the rough outing, the Avalanche will stick with Varlamov vs. the Golden Knights this afternoon. The 29-year-old has gone 5-2-3 with a 2.46 GAA and .931 SV% in March.
Varlamov stopped 44 of 45 shots in Colorado’s win in Chicago on Tuesday. Varly is riding a five-game winning streak, stopping 182 of the 189 shots (.963 SV%) that he has faced. He stopped 25 of 27 shots that he faced in a 2-1 OT loss in his first start against the Kings this season.
Varlamov allowed one goal on 38 shots in Colorado’s win over the Red Wings on Sunday. Varlamov has won three of his last four starts while posting a strong 1.51 GAA and .958 SV% and tonight he will make his 18th consecutive appearance. Varly allowed two goals on 27 shots in a 2-1 OT loss in Chicago in his only start against them this season.
Highmore left Sunday’s game with an undisclosed injury after falling awkwardly into the boards. Highmore, who has just one goal in 10 games since being recalled, is expected to be replaced by Andreas Martinsen tonight.
Clutterbuck is a little banged up from Sunday's game against the Hurricanes, so Ross Johnston will replace him in the lineup tonight vs. the Penguins. Clutterbuck is considered day-to-day.
Varlamov allowed one goal on 45 shots in Colorado’s win in St. Louis last night. Varlamov has turned in back-to-back gems and has stopped 81 of the last 83 shots (.976 SV%) that he has faced. Varlamov will be in tough one the tail-end of a back-to-back vs. the Predators—he is 0-2-1 with a 4.32 GAA and .854 SV% in three games vs. Nashville this season.
DeAngelo was forced to leave Monday’s game vs. the Hurricanes with what ended up being a sprained ankle. DeAngelo’s 3-4 week timetable effectively ends his 2017-18 season with eight assists and a minus-18 rating in 32 games. Ryan Sproul was recalled from Hartford (AHL) and he is expected to replace DeAngelo on Wednesday.
