Martin picked up his first win of the season stopping 34 of 35 (.971 SV%) in a 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh his last time out. Vancouver's backup has seen limited action this season, posting a 1-0-1 record to go alongside his .926 SV% and 2.44 GAA. He faces the Anaheim Ducks at home Thursday, who is on a two game winning streak but ranks 30th in the NHL in goals for per game (2.5).
Martin was serving as Semyon Varlamov’s backup with both Jonathan Bernier and Andrew Hammond being sidelined by concussions. Bernier is set to return as Varlamov’s backup on Tuesday, so Martin heads back to the Rampage, where he has gone 13-12-0 while posting a 3.06 GAA and .894 SV% in 30 games.
Calvin Pickard has played well recently, so the Avalanche likely want to allow Martin to get some games in with San Antonio while Pickard starts with the big club. He has swapped places with Jeremy Smith and goes to the Rampage with a 15-10-0 record, 2.72 GAA and .912 SV% in 28 games.
Martin allowed five goals on 26 shots in Colorado’s loss to San Jose on January 23rd. Martin allowed eight goals on 56 shots (.857 SV%) in his first two NHL starts—both vs. San Jose. Martin will make his third appearance tonight and will come against a Kings team that also played last night.
