Avalanche Notebook: Varlamov likely to miss multiple games

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar allayed some of the fears about goaltender Semyon Varlamov’s injury suffered last night in the team’s 3-2 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets.

Varlamov left the game at the first TV timeout after a lengthy conversation with head trainer Matt Sokolowski. The team later reported Varlamov was doubtful to return (he did not) with a lower-body injury. This morning at practice, it was stated by Bednar that Varlamov’s injury was “muscular” and he was day-to-day but “doubtful to return before the break.”

The team recalled goaltender Andrew Hammond from Belleville of the AHL, where he has been loaned out since being acquired by the Avalanche from the Ottawa Senators in the Matt Duchene blockbuster.

Bednar also updated the injury status for forwards Sven Andrighetto and J.T. Compher, who also missed last night’s game against the Jets. Both are still considered day-to-day and are also “doubtful” to play in either of the games this week against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild. Bednar did hint Compher may be out beyond the team’s “bye week”, which begins Saturday night after they play the Wild, with his unspecified upper-body injury.

The lineup will remain the same going into tomorrow’s game against Columbus outside of Jonathan Bernier taking Varlamov’s place.

The lineup for tomorrow is tentatively expected to be:

Landeskog MacKinnon Rantanen

Nieto Soderberg Comeau

Greer Kerfoot Yakupov

Bourque Jost Wilson

Zadorov Johnson

Nemeth Barberio

Girard Lindholm

Bernier

Hammond