Semyon Varlamov or Spencer Martin?
Turns out, Varlamov will start in goal for the Avalanche on Friday when they meet Nashville at the Pepsi Center.
The GAME NOTES.
Varlamov made 44 saves Thursday in the Avalanche's 4-1 win in St. Louis in his 15th consecutive game -- his 13th start in this stretch -- as Jonathan Bernier continues to recover from a concussion.
Coach Jared Bednar said before that game that Bernier wouldn't be cleared in time to play Friday.
Having picked up a crucial four points in road games against Minnesota and St. Louis to move into the first wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference, there was some thought of "saving" a tired Varlamov for Sunday's home matinee against Detroit.
That won't be the case.
Martin, in his second recall from San Antonio, has yet to play an NHL game this season. Putting him in against the streaking Predators would be quite a challenge. They have an NHL best 102 points, are on a 12-0-1 run, and can become the first team to clinch a playoff berth with a win.
The Avalanche (38-24-8) are one point ahead of Dallas, which has the second wild card, and one point behind Minnesota, which is third in the Central Division.
The Avalanche are 6-0-3 in the past nine games and 14-1-1 in the past 16 at home.
The Predators (46-14-10) also played Thursday, and Pekka Rinne made 32 saves in a 3-2 win in Arizona. Juuse Saros is expected to start for them.