Semyon Varlamov will make his sixth consecutive start tonight when the Avalanche play the Anaheim Ducks at the Pepsi Center to begin a three-game homestand.
Here are the game notes for tonight.
The Avalanche didn't skate this morning after playing Saturday night in St. Louis. They've picked up at least one point in six consecutive games (2-0-4) and are 3-4-5 overall.
Varlamov has stopped 116 of 120 shots in the past three games, which tells you the Avalanche needs to tighten things up considerably. He has a 2-2-4 record for the season with a 2.42 goals-against average and .934 save percentage.
Nathan MacKinnon has three goals and an assist in the past two games, and Erik Johnson has a goal and four assists in three games.
The Avalanche have gone 7-for-22 on power plays in the past six games and they've killed 20 consecutive penalties in a five-game stretch.
Here's the Avalanche's expected lineup:
FORWARDS Gabriel Landeskog - Matt Duchene - Ryan O'Reilly Jamie McGinn - Nathan MacKinnon - Jarome Iginla Alex Tanguay - John Mitchell - Dennis Everberg Cody McLeod - Marc-Andre Cliche - Max Talbot
DEFENSEMEN Jan Hejda - Erik Johnson Nate Guenin - Tyson Barrie Brad Stuart - Nick Holden
GOALIES Semyon Varlamov Reto Berra
Sunday's game will be the third in four nights for the Ducks, and the fourth game in six nights to complete their road trip.
The Ducks aren't scoring much lately, just three goals in the first three games of the trip, yet they won two of them. They've won nine of their past 11 games, are 9-3-0 overall and have killed 12 consecutive penalties in a three-game stretch.
Goalie Frederik Andersen didn't take part in their optional skate this morning. John Gibson could get the start. He's stopped 81 of 84 shots in his past three starts.
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I highly recommend you check out Save by Roy, an in-depth look at the Avalanche's surprising 2013-14 season. It can be purchased on amazon.com and will be available wherever books are sold Nov. 5. It's written by Denver Post sports reporters Adrian Dater and Terry Frei.
