Varlamov allowed two goals on 32 shots in Colorado’s win over the Flames on Wednesday. Varlamov has won his last two outings while stopping 61 of 64 shots (.953 SV%) and will make his ninth consecutive start tonight vs. the Wild. The 29-year-old netminder has gone 11-4-1 with a 2.29 GAA and .933 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season.
Bear, 20, was a fifth round pick of the Oilers in 2015 and will play his first NHL game tonight. Bear will replace Adam Larsson in the lineup and comes to the Oilers with 16 points (6G / 10A) in 34 games with Bakersfield (AHL) this season.
Rittich allowed seven goals on 26 shots in the Flames loss in Vegas last Wednesday. Jon Gillies started the last three games, but Rittich will start on the tail-end of the back-to-back tonight in Colorado. The 25-year-old comes in at 6-2-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .913 SV% on the road this season.
Highmore, 22, was an undrafted free agent that signed with the Blackhawks after five seasons with the Sant John Sea Dogs (QMJHL). In his first AHL season, Highmore has scored 21 goals with 14 assists (35 points) in 56 games. He’ll get a look down the stretch.
Varlamov allowed a single goal on 32 shots in Colorado’s win over the Canucks on Monday. Varlamov has three wins his last seven appearances with a 2.81 GAA, .920 SV% and one shutout. With Jonathan Bernier and Andrew Hammond both hurt, Varlamov will continue to carry the torch for the Avalanche. He allowed five goals on 29 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Flames over the weekend.
Varlamov allowed five goals on 29 shots in Colorado’s loss in Calgary on Saturday. Varlamov has two wins in his last six appearances, while posting a 3.15 GAA and .912 SV%. Varlamov is 9-4-1 with a 2.40 GAA and .931 SV% in 16 games at the Pepsi Center this season.
Varlamov turned in an admirable performance on Thursday, stopping 43 of the 46 shots he faced in a losing effort against the Oilers. With Jonathan Bernier (concussion) sidelined without a timetable for his return, Varlamov should get nearly all of the starts for the Avalanche in the foreseeable future. He has a tough matchup this afternoon in Calgary.
Varlamov allowed four goals on just 28 shots in the Avs’ 5-4 victory over the Canucks on Tuesday. Despite the shaky start, Varlamov should continue to see a full workload in the absence of Jonathan Bernier. He draws a good matchup tonight on the road in Edmonton.
Rittich stopped 30 of 32 shots in the Flames’ 2-1 loss to the Bruins on Monday. Despite the loss, it was arguably the strongest start Rittich has had since taking over for the injured Mike Smith. Smith did travel with the team for their two-game road swing in Vegas and Arizona, though he remains without a timetable for his return. In the meantime, Rittich draws a very rough matchup tonight on the road against Vegas.
Varlamov turned in a solid performance in a losing effort against the Oilers on Sunday, stopping 36 of the 39 shots he faced. The strong start was encouraging for Varlamov, who should see plenty of action so long as Jonathan Bernier (concussion) remains sidelined. He draws a good matchup tonight in Vancouver.
Rittich allowed four goals on just 15 shots before being relieved by Jon Gillies in the Flames’ 6-3 loss to the Panthers on Saturday. Rittich has struggled in the absence of Mike Smith, allowing 11 goals on 86 shots (.872 SV%) in three games since assuming the starting job. He draws a challenging matchup tonight against the Bruins, who just beat Rittich and the Flames last week by a score of 5-2.
Rittich turned away 29 of 32 shots in the Flames’ 4-3 win over the Predators on Thursday. Despite his strong play this season, Rittich hasn’t been great in the absence of Mike Smith, allowing seven goals on just 71 shots over the last two games. He draws an okay matchup tonight at home against the Panthers.
Rittich failed to impress in his first start in the absence of Mike Smith, allowing four goals on 39 shots (.897) in a losing effort to the Bruins. Despite his disappointing night on Tuesday, Rittich has been a formidable backup this season (2.23 GAA/.926 SV%), and should continue to see a starter’s workload so long as Smith is out. He’ll be in tough to turn it around tonight in Nashville.
Rittich allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Flames win in New Jersey last Thursday. With Mike Smith getting injured late in the Flames win over the Islanders on Sunday, Rittich will be the Flames No.1 for the immediate future. The 25-year-old netminder has played well in limited action this season, going 5-1-2 with a 2.20 GAA and .927 SV%. He makes for a strong pickup with Smith out, but has a rough matchup tonight in Boston.
Rittich allowed one goal on four shots after replacing Mike Smith in the Flames loss to the Lightning last Thursday. Rittich has not seen a lot of action this season, but has played very well. In six starts and two relief appearance, Rittich has gone 4-1-2 with a 2.23 GAA and .926 SV%. He makes for an interesting spot-start on a busy nine-game night.
