Defenseman Zach Redmond will return to the lineup when the Avalanche play Toronto on Thursday to close out a three-game homestand, but only because Brad Stuart has a hamstring injury and apparently will miss at least two weeks.
Stuart was injured in the second period Tuesday in the Avalanche's 5-2 loss to Vancouver. Ryan Wilson is still out because of a shoulder injury, so the Avalanche are down to six defensemen. Maybe they'll call up somebody from Lake Erie for a four-game road trip through the East that starts Saturday in Philadelphia.
Coach Patrick Roy said Redmond, who has played in three of the first 14 games, will be paired with Nick Holden. Holden has been paired with Stuart, who is averaging 19:53 of ice time, a figure skewed by the fact he only played 10:19 before getting hurt against the Canucks.
Saying goalie Semyon Varlamov needs a rest, Roy will start Reto Berra against the Maple Leafs. Berra hasn't played since Oct. 21 when he stopped 32 of 36 shots in the Avalanche's 4-3 overtime loss to Florida.
Varlamov started seven consecutive games and faced 29, 28, 51, 40, 29, 33 and 37 shots (35.2 per game). He allowed 17 goals on 247 shots in that stretch for a .931 save percentage.
Varlamov has a 2-4-4 record overall with one shutout, a 2.75 goals-aganst average and .925 save percentage. Berra is 1-0-1 with a 2.07 average and .932 save percentage.
*****
Get 'em while they're hot (dept. of sarcasm):
Single-game tickets for the second half of the season will go on sale Saturday (my birthday, by the way) at 10 a.m. MT.
Tickets can be purchased on line or by calling the Pepsi Center box office at 866-461-6556. They also can be purchased in person.
Single-game tickets are limited to eight per person, per game and start at $23 per seat.
Family Night tickets for the second half of the season also will be available for purchase starting Saturday. The package is $119 and includes four tickets, four meals (with a soft drink and food options). Pretty sure the same package went for $99 last season.
*****
Remember the good ol' days? You know, last season? Might make you feel better to 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 wherever books are sold. It's written by Denver Post sports reporters Adrian Dater and Terry Frei. A good read.