Varlamov stopped all four shots that he faced after replacing Jonathan Bernier (head) in Colorado’s win over the Coyotes on Saturday. With Bernier back on the shelf, the crease is all Varlamov’s moving forward. Tonight he faces the Wild, who he beat on March 2nd, but has lost three in a row (all in OT) since, allowing a combined 11 goals on 102 shots (.892 SV%).
Duclair was caught in a strange collision with Bruins forward Brad Marchand, who essentially clotheslined Duclair and forcing his knee to buckle. Duclair left the ice in pain, but the news certainly could have been worse for the young forward.
Rittich allowed one goal on 26 shots in the Flames win in Buffalo on Wednesday. The loss snapped a four-game losing streak for Rittich, who will start again tonight in Ottawa. The 25-year-old has gone 7-3-2 with a 2.72 GAA and .913 SV% on the road this season.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 27 shots in Colorado’s loss in Chicago on Tuesday. Varlamov has lost two in a row while allowing a combined six goals on 58 shots (.897 SV%). The 29-year-old will go head-to-head with Joonas Korpisalo in Columbus—he has gone 6-9-3 with a 3.32 GAA and .894 SV% on the road in 2017-18.
Rittich allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Flames loss in Colorado last Wednesday. Jon Gillies has started five of the last six games, but Rittich will get the nod in Buffalo tonight. He has struggled a bit recently, but has gone 6-3-2 with a 2.88 GAA and .910 SV% on the road this season and this matchup provides him with a chance to get back on track.
Rittich allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Flames loss in Colorado last Wednesday. Jon Gillies has started five of the last six games, but Rittich will get the nod in Buffalo tonight. He has struggled a bit recently, but has gone 6-3-2 with a 2.88 GAA and .910 SV% on the road this season and this matchup provides him with a chance to get back on track.
Varlamov allowed four goals on 31 shots in Colorado’s loss to the Predators on Sunday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Varlamov, who will make his 37th start tonight in Chicago. The 29-year-old has gone 6-9-2 with a 3.39 GAA and .892 SV% on the road this season.
Rittich allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Flames loss in Colorado on Wednesday. Rittich has now lost his last four starts while allowing a combined 17 goals on 106 shots (.840 SV%). The 25-year-old has gone 6-3-2 with a 2.88 GAA and .910 SV% on the road this season and will be in tough in Pittsburgh tonight.
Martin has been a healthy scratch since January 22nd but he will be back in tonight vs. the Sabres. The 28-year-old pugilist has three goals, eight assists (11 points) and 45 PIMS in 47 games this season.
Cizikas missed last night’s game for the birth of his child but he will play tonight in Pittsburgh. Cizikas will replace Sebastian Aho as the Islanders will go back to 12 forwards and six defensemen.
Cizikas is with his wife as they are expecting the birth of a child. Cizikas was reportedly at the hospital this morning, which suggests that he won’t be available for tonight’s game. If Cizikas can’t play, Ross Johnston will draw back into the lineup.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 32 shots in Colorado’s win over the Flames on Wednesday. Varlamov has won his last two outings while stopping 61 of 64 shots (.953 SV%) and will make his ninth consecutive start tonight vs. the Wild. The 29-year-old netminder has gone 11-4-1 with a 2.29 GAA and .933 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season.
Bear, 20, was a fifth round pick of the Oilers in 2015 and will play his first NHL game tonight. Bear will replace Adam Larsson in the lineup and comes to the Oilers with 16 points (6G / 10A) in 34 games with Bakersfield (AHL) this season.
Rittich allowed seven goals on 26 shots in the Flames loss in Vegas last Wednesday. Jon Gillies started the last three games, but Rittich will start on the tail-end of the back-to-back tonight in Colorado. The 25-year-old comes in at 6-2-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .913 SV% on the road this season.
Highmore, 22, was an undrafted free agent that signed with the Blackhawks after five seasons with the Sant John Sea Dogs (QMJHL). In his first AHL season, Highmore has scored 21 goals with 14 assists (35 points) in 56 games. He’ll get a look down the stretch.
Varlamov allowed a single goal on 32 shots in Colorado’s win over the Canucks on Monday. Varlamov has three wins his last seven appearances with a 2.81 GAA, .920 SV% and one shutout. With Jonathan Bernier and Andrew Hammond both hurt, Varlamov will continue to carry the torch for the Avalanche. He allowed five goals on 29 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Flames over the weekend.
Varlamov allowed five goals on 29 shots in Colorado’s loss in Calgary on Saturday. Varlamov has two wins in his last six appearances, while posting a 3.15 GAA and .912 SV%. Varlamov is 9-4-1 with a 2.40 GAA and .931 SV% in 16 games at the Pepsi Center this season.
Varlamov turned in an admirable performance on Thursday, stopping 43 of the 46 shots he faced in a losing effort against the Oilers. With Jonathan Bernier (concussion) sidelined without a timetable for his return, Varlamov should get nearly all of the starts for the Avalanche in the foreseeable future. He has a tough matchup this afternoon in Calgary.
