Reeling Winnipeg is up against it tonight on several fronts.
First of all they travel to the elevation of Denver after losing ugly to Carolina the night before.
The Jets, and their absent offense, has been futile over their last 11 games. With a record of 3-7-1 they have been held to 2 goals or less seven times. Things won’t get any easier for them tonight against a relieved goaltender, with no more legal distractions, and one that had only allowed 1 goal in each of his last 4 games prior to his court hiatus.
Semyon Varlomov was on a major heater before winning seven of his last nine starts beating the likes of Los Angeles, St. Louis, (twice), Dallas, and Nashville. He also beat Winnipeg during that run.
He is 3-0 against the Jets this year with a 1.67 GAA. Not surprisingly the Jets are 0-4 in their last 4 visits to Pepsi Arena.
So who faces Varlomov tonight? Connor Hellebuyck who has allowed nearly 3 goals a game in his last 10 starts? Hutchinson? Pavelec? Who own 2.92 and 2.82 GAA respectively. Does it really make a difference?
With Varlomov’s civil suit now behind him it has to come as huge relief to him and the team.
"I'm glad it's over. It's not easy to sit there, all day long, .... I just want to move on and just focus on hockey," Varlamov said.
He added: "The reason why I'm still here, still with this team, is because the guys stepped up for me, this organization stepped up for me and have been really supportive. I really appreciate that."
"We're just happy it's over, for Varly's sake — to see him more relieved and not have to deal with this. His name has been dragged in the dirt for two years now and it's good to finally see the truth come out. We're just happy we can put it behind him ... It's been a bit of a distraction, I'm not going to lie."
-Gabriel Landeskog-
Now consider the Avs recent play. Needing to rely on Calvin Pickard to fill in for Valarmov they had to face Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Jose, (later two on the road). Despite going 1-2-1 they were competitive in all but one game. Add in St Louis and another game against Dallas in their last six contests and they have to be smacking their lips over facing tonight’s opponent. Certainly a big jump down in class.
I’ll be on this game in every possible way. I’ll add the numbers as the lines come out.
Colorado -1 +129
First of all they travel to the elevation of Denver after losing ugly to Carolina the night before.
The Jets, and their absent offense, has been futile over their last 11 games. With a record of 3-7-1 they have been held to 2 goals or less seven times. Things won’t get any easier for them tonight against a relieved goaltender, with no more legal distractions, and one that had only allowed 1 goal in each of his last 4 games prior to his court hiatus.
Semyon Varlomov was on a major heater before winning seven of his last nine starts beating the likes of Los Angeles, St. Louis, (twice), Dallas, and Nashville. He also beat Winnipeg during that run.
He is 3-0 against the Jets this year with a 1.67 GAA. Not surprisingly the Jets are 0-4 in their last 4 visits to Pepsi Arena.
So who faces Varlomov tonight? Connor Hellebuyck who has allowed nearly 3 goals a game in his last 10 starts? Hutchinson? Pavelec? Who own 2.92 and 2.82 GAA respectively. Does it really make a difference?
With Varlomov’s civil suit now behind him it has to come as huge relief to him and the team.
"I'm glad it's over. It's not easy to sit there, all day long, .... I just want to move on and just focus on hockey," Varlamov said.
He added: "The reason why I'm still here, still with this team, is because the guys stepped up for me, this organization stepped up for me and have been really supportive. I really appreciate that."
"We're just happy it's over, for Varly's sake — to see him more relieved and not have to deal with this. His name has been dragged in the dirt for two years now and it's good to finally see the truth come out. We're just happy we can put it behind him ... It's been a bit of a distraction, I'm not going to lie."
-Gabriel Landeskog-
Now consider the Avs recent play. Needing to rely on Calvin Pickard to fill in for Valarmov they had to face Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Jose, (later two on the road). Despite going 1-2-1 they were competitive in all but one game. Add in St Louis and another game against Dallas in their last six contests and they have to be smacking their lips over facing tonight’s opponent. Certainly a big jump down in class.
I’ll be on this game in every possible way. I’ll add the numbers as the lines come out.
Colorado -1 +129
