Andrew Hammond or rookie Spencer Martin could be in goal Wednesday when the Avalanche play Philadelphia at the Pepsi Center.
The GAME NOTES.
Semyon Varlamov, who has played in 21 consecutive games, is ill and wasn't at the morning skate. Jonathan Bernier has an infected cut on his left hand and practiced without a stick.
So the Avalanche recalled Hammond from San Antonio, and he was en route to Denver in the morning.
Coach Jared Bednar said he didn't know who would start if Varlamov isn't available, but the guess here is Hammond would get the call based on previous NHL experience, though he hasn't played in an NHL game this season.
It's a huge game for both teams. The Avalanche, ninth in the Western Conference, would move into the first wild card playoff position with a win. The Flyers hold the first wild card in the East and would jump ahead of Columbus into third place in the Metropolitan Division with a win.
"The focus has to be on our team and what we need to do to get the points we need," Bednar said. "There's a lot of emotion involved in it at this time of the year. Our guys have been so invested in what we're doing all year long, and we know how bad they all want it, so you're going to watch (other scores). On days off you have to rest and refocus on what you have to do. You have to take care of your business, and that's what we try and focus on."
After using 11 forwards and seven defensemen in each of the past two games, the Avalanche will return to the usual 12-forward, six-defensemen format.
Forward Nail Yakupov, a healthy scratch the past eight games, will replace defenseman Anton Lindholm.
"I want to give Yak the opportunity," Bednar said. "We need some depth in scoring. He's a guy that can shoot, he's a guy that can score goals. Hopefully he comes in and has a big night for us."
*****
Center Carl Soderberg has been nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Award by the Colorado chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. The award is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Soderberg, who is legally blind in one eye, has rebounded from his poor last season to match his career high for goals with 16 while being a valuable member of the power play and penalty killing units.
The Avalanche lineup:
Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen Tyson Jost -- J.T. Compher -- Alexander Kerfoot Matt Nieto -- Carl Soderberg -- Blake Comeau Gabriel Bourque -- Dominic Toninato -- Nail Yakupov
Patrik Nemeth -- Erik Johnson Nikita Zadorov -- Tyson Barrie Mark Alt -- Samuel Girard
Andrew Hammond Spencer Martin