Calvin Pickard will make his second consecutive start Friday when the Avalanche play Florida at the Pepsi Center and attempt to break a six-game home losing streak (0-5-1).
Semyon Varlamov didn't practice Thursday, but he worked out by himself after to test his groin injury. He moved back and forth in the crease while in full gear and did some skating. He won't play until facing some shots in practice.
"Progress,… coach Jared Bednar said. “First day on the ice, skating on his own, seeing how it feels and then again, we’ll know more (Friday). It’s day by day. We’ll see how he feels and then hopefully at some point here he can start taking some shots.…
Varlamov was injured at some point while making 51 saves Sunday in the Avalanche’s 3-1 win in Toronto.
#Avs Varlamov working out by himself after practice. #Avalanche pic.twitter.com/Xmeqvhg7QD
— Rick Sadowski (@RickS7) December 15, 2016
"He's three days off the ice now, and now he's skating so we'll have to give him some shots," Bednar said. "It's not like we need three days leeway to get him back in only being out that length of time. We're taking it day and day and we'll ask the trainers when he's ready to go. When he feels good, then he'll be back in."
Pickard made 21 saves Wednesday in the Avalanche's 4-3 loss to Philadelphia with Spencer Martin dressing as the backup. That will be the case again against the Panthers.
Defenseman Francois Beauchemin didn't practice Thursday, but he's expected to play Friday.
“He got banged up a little bit the other night,… Bednar said. “We’re just keeping him off the ice today so he’s ready to go for tomorrow.…
Forward Joe Colborne (lower-body injury) also didn't practice and won't play against Florida.
*****
I spoke with Jarome Iginla about the remarkable Jaromir Jagr, the Panthers' 44-year-old forward who needs four points to reach 1,887 for his career to tie Mark Messier for second in NHL history. All-time scoring king Wayne Gretzky had 2,857 points.
Florida played in Winnipeg on Thursday night, so Jagr had a chance to close the gap heading into the Pepsi Center. He had six goals and nine assists in 30 games, with 755-1,128-1,883 in 1,659 games before playing the Jets.
"He's definitely had one of the best careers, period," said Iginla, who played in his 1,500th game Saturday and needs one point for 1,281 to tie Alex Delvecchio for 34th on the career list. "I can remember watching (Jagr) when I was younger and how dominant he was when he was younger, and he's just kept it going. He's so big (6-3, 230 pounds) and strong. I can remember (Pittsburgh's) power play with him and (Mario) Lemieux was so dangerous; they'd just zip it around and it almost wasn't fair.
"He's ageless, he's still going and doing very well. I'm definitely impressed. His reach and his shot, and he's definitely not easy to knock off the puck. You go to hit him and you feel it just as much as he would. There's not that many guys at that age who would still have the fire and passion to still be doing it."
Iginla, who will turn 40 on July 1, doesn't see himself playing another four years. He has three goals and four assists in 28 games, and is in the final year of his contract.
"I don't see that coming," he said. "I'm year to year. At this point, I'm just playing and will see how it goes."