The Avalanche didn't practice Sunday or Monday, so not a whole lot going on hockey-wise until Tuesday when the team returns to the ice.
The Avalanche doesn't play again until Thursday when it begins a three-game road trip through western Canada in Edmonton. The team also will play in Calgary and Vancouver.
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As for goalie Semyon Varlamov, he appeared in Denver County court Monday morning for a brief hearing where he was formally advised by a judge that he faces a charge of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.
Varlamov remains free on a $5,000 bond while facing the charge, which stems from an alleged domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend, Evgeniya Vavrinyuk, at their apartment on Oct. 30.
Varlamov's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 22 when he will have an opportunity to enter a plea.
If convicted, Varlamov could face a sentence ranging from probation to two years in jail. Lynn Kimbrough, a spokeswoman for Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, said most misdemeanor cases in Denver end with a negotiated plea bargain.
Varlamov, 25, has posted a 13-6-0 record in 19 games this season with one shutout, a 2.13 goals-against average and .933 save percentage.
His play has been a major factor in the Avalanche's improvement from a year ago. The team is in third place in the Central Division with a 19-6-0 record and 38 points, tied with Boston for the fifth-most points in the NHL before Monday night's games
Varlamov is hopeful of playing for Russia in the Winter Olympics in February, so he and the Avalanche have a lot at stake depending on how this case evolves.
***** Right wing Alex Tanguay and defenseman Ryan Wilson skated at the Avalanche practice facility Monday. Tanguay is expected to miss at least one more week to recover from the knee injury he sustained Nov. 2 against Montreal. Coach Patrick Roy has said that Wilson, who hurt his back Nov. 6 against Nashville, will likely be sidelined for a longer period.
Tanguay and Wilson joined their teammates, coaches and mascot Bernie for the Avalanche's annual holiday visit to Children’s Hospital. They visited patient rooms, distributed Bernie plush animals, signed autographs and took photos with the children and their families.